Buoys are used to mark channels, hazards and other areas. While there are many different types, only a few of them are discussed here. For a more comprehensive discussion visit the Coast Guard web site.
Channel Markers
Many of our coastal channels and rivers have Coast Guard maintained buoys to mark the safe route or channel. They use color of buoys, red and green. Red one are on the right edge of the channel when returning from sea, green ones are on the left side of the channel. An easy way to remember this is: Red Right Returning. Of course when headed out to sea you should keep the green buoys on your right.
The Intracoastal Waterway runs roughly parallel between the mainland and ocean so the RRR rule doesn’t work there. In ICW the red markers are on the mainland side and the green ones are on the oceanside of the waterway.
Artificial Reefs
Buoys are placed by the NC Division of Marine Fisheries in the center of the each artificial reef they maintain. these buoys are yellow and have the AR number stenciled on them.
Note: It is unlawful to tie up to a navigational or marker buoy.
