PADDLERsmart! USA Knowledge Base

The Non-Lateral Marking System consists of regulatory and informational markers in various shapes. Also known as the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS), you’ll see these markers on rivers and inland waterways. The markers may have a yellow light that flashes in a 4-second sequence.

Non-Lateral Markers:

• Provide information.
• Identify hazards.
• Identify restricted areas.
• Identify controlled areas.

Common Non-Lateral Markers:

Keep Out Buoy:

Purpose: Keep Out Buoys mark an area of water where boating is prohibited.

• They are white in color, with an orange diamond containing an orange cross on two opposite sides, and two orange horizontal bands one above and one below the diamond symbol.

Control Buoy:

Purpose: Control Buoys mark an area of water where boating is restricted.

• They are white in color, with an orange, open-faced circle on two opposite sides and two horizontal orange bands, one above and one below the square symbol.
• A black symbol inside the orange circles indicates the type of restriction in effect.

Information Buoys:

Purpose: Information Buoys provide information of interest to boaters using words or symbols.

• They are white in color, with an orange, open-faced square symbol on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands, one above and one below the square symbol.

Hazard Buoys:

Purpose: Hazard Buoys mark random hazards such as rocks or shoals.

• They are white in color, with an orange diamond symbol on two opposite sides and two orange, horizontal bands, one above and one below the diamond symbol.

Obstruction Buoys:

Purpose: Obstruction Buoys identify a hazard or obstacle for boaters.

• They are white in color, with vertical black stripes. 

Safe Water Buoy:

Purpose: Safe Water Buoys indicate a safe area for boating.

• They are half red and half white in color, split vertically down the middle.

Swimming Buoy:

Purpose: Swimming Buoys mark a designated swimming area.

• They are white in color.

Mooring Buoy:

Purpose: Mooring Buoys identify a buoy that you can attach your boat to.

• They are white in color, with a blue, horizontal band and they may show white reflector or light.

Note: The mooring buoy is the ONLY navigational marker you may secure your boat to. It is illegal to tie up to any other navigational aid.