Buoys and Buoyage systems are harmonised for safety purposes. There are two Regions A and B. The regions differ only in the use of green or red for lateral marks. Region A has red port hand markers whilst region B has green for the port hand.
There are five basic types of marks used, for navigation and safety they are;
Lateral marks.
Region A. Port hand marks are red,, can or spar shaped. If a topmark is fitted it is a single red can. Lights are, red any sequence. Starboard are green, conical or spar shaped, a topmark is a single green cone, point upwards. Lights are green, any sequence. Lateral marks may be numbered sequentially along the channel, even to port, odd to starboard.
Cardinal marks
Mark unsafe or dangerous areas. They are pillar or spar shaped painted black and yellow and always carry a double cone topmark, the orientation of the cones indicate the direction of the hazard and which side to pass it. The lights are white and are either quick or very quick.
Isolated danger marks
These marks are black with one or more horizontal red bands, they are pillar or spar shaped, lights are white flashing twice, with a topmark of two black spheres.
Safe water marks
These are spherical, pillar or spar shaped with a red spherical topmark. They are painted with red and white vertical stripes. Any light is white, occulting, isophase, Morse A or single long flash every 10 seconds.
Special marks
Are not primarily to assist navigation but indicate a special area, examples are, water ski area, underwater cables, outfalls, etc. They are yellow, any shape not conflicting with lateral or safe marks, topmark is a yellow X. Any light is yellow and the rhythm not used for white lights. For grave danger the marks may be duplicated.
In addition there are such things as mooring buoys. These are purely local and the authority in charge should ensure they cannot be confused with navigational buoys.
They are many colours and shapes, some of which are of local significance, so it would be important to find this information beforehand. For instance green cones may be private mooring areas.
They indicate the two sides of a navigation channel. In different countries the buoys are found on different sides of the channel (for example, in the U.S. the rule is red on the right when returning from the sea) but the water in between the buoys is always meant for navigation. Be careful, it may only be 3 feet deep, though - check your chart, always!
There are many different types of buoys. Some examples are "can", "nun", "unlighted bell", "unlighted gong", "lighted bell" and also "lighted whistle".
Some red buoys are known as "nun" buoys.(Ref: SB-4)some red buoys are known as nun buoys
Mooring buoys
Some red buoys are known as "nun" buoys.(Ref: SB-4)some red buoys are known as nun buoys
Mid channel buoys
Yellow buoys are weather stations.
Regulatory Buoys.
A boat should cruise between a green and red buoy. The red buoy will always be located on the right side of your boat. Red buoys will always mean , returning, red, and right. There will be a number on a red buoy that will give the chart location. The numbers will always be even.
Yellow buoys are weather stations.
Anchor or mooring buoys do not have lights
Some red buoys are known as "nun" buoys.