buoy

buoy , float anchored in navigable waters to mark channels and indicate dangers to navigation (isolated rocks, mine fields, cables, and the like). The shape, color, number, and marking of the buoy are all significant, but unfortunately there are two competing systems of color coding which have been adopted in different parts of the world. The International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) adopted a system in 1977 which uses red for the left-hand side of a channel returning from the sea and green for the right side. Because the American rule has always been "red to the right returning," the IALA accepted a second system in 1983 which would keep the traditional color-coding for U.S. waters. Both systems use yellow to indicate special zones, such as fishing areas, anchorages, dredging operations, etc. Although the spar buoys (upright posts) used in northern latitudes are usually wooden, large buoys are generally made of steel or iron. Nun buoys have conical tops; can buoys have flat tops. Buoys may be fitted with bells or whistles (usually operated by motion of the waves), and battery-powered light buoys are commonly used; radio buoys came into use in 1939. There are also mooring buoys, used for the anchoring of ships.

buoy, a floating mark used in the IALA maritime buoyage system to mark a channel, bank, spoil ground, or similar area which the navigator needs to know about. The marking system in force in any particular area is given in the sailing directions for those waters. However, buoys have other uses besides being aids to navigation as they also mark the position of telegraph cables or mining grounds, sewer outfalls, etc. All these can have distinctive shapes and colours, the details of which are marked on navigational charts. There are also strings of radio transmitting buoys worldwide which transmit weather conditions like wind strength and height of waves.

Most buoys, particularly those marking main navigational channels, are lit for navigation at night, each type with its individual characteristic. Cylinders of gas used to be the common method of lighting but most lighted buoys have now been converted to solar power.

See also beacons; dan buoy; mooring; watch buoy.

bu·oy / ˈboō-ē; boi/ • n. an anchored float serving as a navigation mark, to show reefs or other hazards, or for mooring. • v. [tr.] 1. keep (someone or something) afloat: I let the water buoy up my weight. ∎  (often be buoyed) cause to become cheerful or confident: the party was buoyed by an election victory. ∎  (often be buoyed) cause (a price) to rise to or remain at a high level: the price is buoyed up by investors. 2. mark with a buoy: [as adj.] (buoyed) a buoyed channel.