Buoy

A floating device anchored at a specific location in a body of water, used as a navigational aid, marker, or warning signal for vessels.

A buoy serves as a critical tool in maritime navigation and safety, providing visual and sometimes auditory signals to mariners. These floating devices are typically anchored to the seabed or riverbed and can be found in various shapes, sizes, and colours, each with a specific purpose. For instance, lateral buoys mark the edges of safe water channels, while special-purpose buoys may indicate hazards, restricted areas, or serve as mooring points. Buoys are often fitted with lights, bells, or radar reflectors to enhance visibility, especially in poor weather conditions or at night. In addition to their navigational functions, buoys may also be used to support scientific equipment for oceanographic research, such as measuring water temperature, salinity, or wave height. The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) sets out standardised buoyage systems used worldwide, ensuring consistency in how buoys are interpreted by mariners. Understanding the meaning and purpose of different buoys is essential for safe navigation, as they provide crucial information about water depth, potential hazards, and safe passage routes.