Mooring Buoy

A buoy connected to seabed ground tackle and intended to provide or identify a point for securing a vessel.

The vessel normally connects to a pickup line, pendant, ring or riser associated with the buoy rather than anchoring independently. Buoy colour, markings, ownership and permitted use vary by jurisdiction and purpose; some mooring buoys also mark restricted, conservation or special-use areas.

A buoy’s presence does not confirm that the complete mooring is maintained or suitable for a particular vessel or conditions. Permission, capacity, depth, swing room, attachment method and the condition of visible components should be checked before reliance.