BOATsmart! Base de connaissances du Canada
Module 06 - Markers and Buoys
Aids to Navigation
‘Aids to Navigation’ are the system of buoys and markers that assist a boater in determining his or her position and identify any potential dangers and waterway obstructions. External to pleasure craft, Aids to Navigation can be used to plot position and course on nautical charts and other nautical publications. Aids to Navigation also assist the pleasure craft operator in choosing the most preferred and safest route.
It is prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada to interfere with any navigation aid. Operators should never tie up to a marker, buoy or any other aid to navigation. In addition, no person may willfully alter, remove or conceal a signal, buoy or other type of navigation marker.
Two main systems of navigation are used on Canadian Waterways: The Lateral System and The Cardinal System. All Aids to Navigation have identifying marks such as colours, lights and numbers.
