Ever felt lost on the water? That's where navigation aids come into play. They’re the waterway’s road signs – similar to the stop signals, road barriers, and traffic lights you'd find on land. But do you know what they all mean?

First Meet the Basic Markers: Buoys and Beacons

Two of the most important markers are buoys and beacons. Let's break them down:

Buoys serve as floating aids, moored securely to the water's floor. A buoy sporting a cylindrical body topped with a cone is called a "nun." Its flat-topped counterpart is called a "can." Some have lights for nighttime visibility, while others don’t. 

Beacons are fixed in place, usually on the bottom of the water. A beacon with a light is simply called a "light," and one without is called a "day beacon." 

Both buoys and beacons tell a story. Their shapes, colors, light patterns, and even sounds all tell boaters important information about the waters they’re in. 

Learn the "Red, Right, Returning" Rule

"Red, Right, Returning" is a handy way to remember which side to pass channel markers. Here's the gist:

Heading Back In? (Entering a Channel From the Open Sea or Proceeding Upstream): Keep the red markers on your right side. These navigation aids usually have even numbers and increase as you move inland.

Heading Out? (Seaward): Stick to green markers on your right. These aids should have odd numbers and decrease as you head out toward open water. 

No Marked Route? Cruise around land masses in a clockwise direction. 

» MORE: Safe Boating Information and Resources

Decoding the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (USATONS)

Most U.S. waterways use a standard system called the U.S. Aid to Navigation System or USATONS, set by the Coast Guard. But, like any language, there are variations. Take the Mississippi River and its tributaries, for example. They use a slightly different version called the Western Rivers Marking System. 

The main takeaway? The markers you see might change depending on where you boat. So, always check a navigation chart or local guide before you head out.  

Nonetheless, here are some general guidelines to get you started:

Lateral Aids to Navigation

Lateral Aids to Navigation are like traffic signs in water channels. They show:

• The sides of the navigable route.
• Where channels meet or divide.
• The safe path around obstacles.
• The centerline on wider bodies of water. 

In simpler terms, they help boaters stay on course and avoid dangerous hazards.

Preferred-Channel Aids

Preferred-Channel Aids show where navigable channels meet. They use red and green horizontal bands to do so (the top band shows the direction of the preferred channel). 

• Heading Back In? Keep the red-topped marker on your right. Keeping those aids on the port side will place you in the secondary channel. 
• Heading Out? Look for the green-topped marker on your right (port side for secondary channel). 

Non-Lateral Aids to Navigation

Non-Lateral Aids to Navigation are like the informational, regulatory, and warning signs you see on the road. They're not there to direct traffic but to warn you about certain things and help you determine your location. 

These markers are often white with red, green, or black diamonds. They should have a letter on them to help you match it up with your nautical chart for your exact position. Diamond-shaped dayboards, for example, act as a "You Are Here" marker. But you'll still need a nautical chart to pinpoint your location exactly.

Safe Water Marks

Spot a buoy with vertical red and white stripes? That's a Safe Water Mark letting you know there's deep water all around. It usually marks a channel entrance, center, or fairway.  

How to Recognize Them: 

• Look for a buoy with vertical red and white stripes.
• They come in various shapes.
• Some may have letters.
• The buoy might have a red top mark (It's not there to signal danger, just safe passage.)

Isolated Danger Marks

If you see a buoy with black and red stripes, slow down. It's an Isolated Danger Mark, warning you of a hazard below like a rock or shipwreck. The good news is that you can pass this danger zone on any side, but be extra careful when approaching. 

How to Spot Them:

• Buoy with black and red horizontal bands.
• Recognizable black double-ball on top.
• Look out for possible letters.

» RELATED: How to Navigate Safely in Rough Waters

Range Dayboards

Ever seen giant goalposts by the water? Those are Range Dayboards, working in pairs to guide boaters down the channel in a straight and safe course. These can be mounted on shore or in the water, so keep an eye out for them.

Reading Range Dayboards:

• Left of Range Line: When the front marker is to the right of the rear one, you're to the left of the range. Steer right to get back on track.
• Right of Range Line: When the front marker is to the left of the rear one, you're to the right of the range. Veer left to course-correct.
• On Range Line: When both posts appear aligned, you're right where you need to be - on the safe range line. 

Another thing to remember is that the colors don't actually matter for navigating. Range Dayboards need to be bright and easily visible against the background (like a highlighter against a textbook). 

Information and Regulatory Marks

Ever come across an orange and white sign on the water? Those are Information and Regulatory Marks.  

Here’s What They Tell You:

• Danger Diamond: A regular diamond means there's a hazard nearby. So, slow down and proceed with caution.
• Restricted Operations Circle: See a circle? That means there are special rules you need to follow in that area, like speed limits or no-wake zones. Be a good boater and obey the signs.
• No Entry Diamond: A diamond with a big cross through it means "Do Not Enter!" This area is off-limits, so it’s best to steer clear.
• Information Box: If you see a square marker, it has helpful information for you, like directions, distances, or locations. 

Special Aids

Special Aids serve a bit of a different purpose than some of the other markers on this list. Instead of guiding you on a safe course, they mark certain areas or things to watch out for, like:

• Anchoring Zones
• Traffic Lanes
• Fishing Net Areas
• Cable & Pipeline Zones
• Military Exercise Areas
• Jetty Warnings

You can think of Special Aids as caution signs on the water. Plus, they’re typically bright yellow buoys, making them easy to spot. 

State Waters Obstruction Mark

A State Water Obstruction Mark warns you of hazards extending from the nearest shore to the buoy, like rocks or shallow water. In most cases, it's safest to steer clear and avoid squeezing between the buoy and the shore. 

How to Spot Them:

• Black and white stripes - like a barber pole, minus the red.
• It might have a white reflector or quick-flashing light for nighttime visibility.

Mooring Buoys

Mooring Buoys (those familiar white buoys with a blue stripe) are often seen in marinas. While they're not navigational aids, they're still important for boaters to know. 

Most are privately owned or rented by marinas. That means you typically need permission to tie up to one.