BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

Module 06 - Markers and Buoys

Special Buoys and Flags

Buoys and flags are like the traffic signs of the waterways. You must be able to identify buoys and flags, and understand what their lights, symbols, letters, and numbers are telling you (just like a driver needs to understand what traffic lights mean!).

DIVING BUOY:: “Diving Buoys” mark an area where scuba diving or diving activities are taking place. They’re identified with a red flag, with a white diagonal stripe.
SWIMMING BUOY:: “Swimming Buoys” are white in colour, and mark the perimeter of swimming areas.
KEEP OUT BUOY:: “Keep Out Buoys” mark areas where boating is prohibited. They are white, with an orange diamond containing an orange cross.
CONTROL BUOY:: “Control Buoys” mark areas where boating is restricted. They are white with an open-faced orange circle. Inside the orange circle, it will indicate type of restriction in effect (ex. Waterway speed limits).
INFORMATION BUOY:: “Information Buoys” provide information of interest to boaters using words or symbols. They are white with an orange open-faced square symbol.
HAZARD BUOY:: “Hazard Buoys” mark random hazards such as rocks or shoals. They are white with an orange open-faced diamond shape.
CAUTIONARY BUOY:: “Cautionary Buoys” mark dangers such as underwater structures, or areas where no safe channel exists. Boaters must operate with extra caution in these area. Cautionary buoys are yellow, and may display identification letters.
ANCHORAGE BUOY:: “Anchorage Buoys” identify areas where it is safe to anchor. They are yellow, and will display a symbol of an anchor.
MOORING BUOY:: “Mooring Buoys” are the only aid to navigation that you can legally secure your boat to. They are white, with an orange top.

Diving boats are required to display a special flag to indicate their activities. This blue and white flag is called Code Flag A, and must be displayed on the boat from which divers are diving. Any time you spot Code Flag A or a diving buoy you must keep well clear, as it’s easy for divers to stray from the marked diving area.