22/05/2026
Buoys are essential floating navigation markers used worldwide to guide ships safely through harbors, rivers, coastal waters, and shipping channels. They help mariners identify safe routes, channel boundaries, isolated dangers, and navigational hazards both during the day and at night.
This infographic explains the common types of buoys, including port side buoys, starboard side buoys, isolated danger marks, and safe water marks. Each buoy uses specific colors, shapes, topmarks, and lights based on the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) system to provide clear navigational information to vessels.
Understanding buoy systems is a fundamental part of safe navigation, helping prevent groundings, collisions, and accidents in restricted or hazardous waters.