BOATsmart! Base de connaissances du Canada
Module 06 - Markers and Buoys
Floating Buoys
FLOATING BUOYS
There are different styles of floating buoys used on Canadian waterways:
PILLAR BUOYS
Pillar Buoys are typically the largest of all floating buoys and will sometimes have a lighted top. These types of buoys tend to be narrower than Can and Nun buoys
SPAR BUOYS
Spar Buoys are common on smaller waterways. They have a cylinder shape and are typically smaller than Light Buoys.
CAN BUOYS
Can buoys are wider than Spar Buoys. They are always green in colour and should be kept on the left (port) side when heading upstream.
NUN/CONICAL BUOYS
Nun buoys are also wider than spar buoys. They are always red in colour and should be kept on the right (starboard) side when heading upstream.
All floating buoys are affixed to the bottom of the waterway using a structure of underwater cables and anchors.
