Kinds of Buoys

Buoys are floating objects which are most often used to mark the left, right and port sides of channels for navigational purposes. They are also used to alert boats to diving sites and stationary fishing boats. There are three main types of buoys, differentiated mainly by their shape and whether or not they're lighted. The shared characteristic of all three types is that they are all brightly colored markers, used to identify areas of potential boating hazard.

  1. Nun Buoys

    • Nun buoys are cone-shaped flotation devices with rounded tips. The shape of a nun buoy may be tapered from top to bottom, or may have a cylinder-shaped base. This type of buoy indicates the left side of a channel for boats that are leaving a harbor. They are unlighted, and either painted red, or painted with alternating red and green stripes.

    Spar Buoys

    • A spar buoy is cylinder-shaped from top to bottom, and is also known as a pillar. This type of buoy is lighted, and is made from fiberglass, plastic, or metal. It floats in a vertical position, and is used to indicate the port side of a channel. The color of a spar buoy differs, based on the potential hazard level of the area in which the buoy has been placed.

    Can Buoys

    • Can buoys signify the right side of a channel for boats that are exiting a harbor. The upper section of a can buoy is cylinder shaped, often tapering down into a narrower pole with a flat base attached to the end. This type of buoy is unlighted, marked with odd numbers and may either be painted green, or painted with alternating green and red stripes.