PADDLERsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Green Navigation Aids: These green markers identify the edge of the channel on the port (left) side of your paddle craft as you enter the waterway from the open sea or when you’re heading upstream. They will be flat on top (like ‘cans’), they will have a letter, an odd number and they will sometimes exhibit a flashing light.

Red Navigation Aids: These red markers indicate the starboard (right) side of a channel and must be kept on the right side of your paddle craft when heading upstream. They are always pointed on top (like ‘nuns’), they will have a letter, an even-digit number and they will sometimes exhibit a flashing light.

Red and Green Navigation Aids (Junction Buoys): These red and green markers indicate the intersection of two different channels. Port-Junction Buoys are green on top with a red horizontal band in the middle. They must be kept on the port (left) side of your paddle craft when you’re heading upstream. Starboard-Junction Buoys are red on top and have a green horizontal band in the middle. They must always be kept on the starboard (right) side of your paddle craft when you’re heading upstream.

Daymarks: Also known as ‘daybeacons’, these are signs (red triangles and green squares) that are posted on structures that are on land or in the water. They are typically used as channel or hazard markers. The same color rules apply to daymarks. Green daymarks must always be kept on the port (left) side of your paddle craft and red daymarks must always be kept on the starboard (right) side of your paddle craft. Daymarks will sometimes have a flashing light but they are primarily meant for daytime use.