What type of area is marked with a regulatory marker displaying an orange circle?

Waterway markers found on the Pelican group of Lakes are shown on the map below. The area near the public access at Stroms Bridge is enlarged for easier viewing. Remember that not every hazard, swimming area, or controlled area has a waterway marker. Caution should be used at all times, even when far from waterway markers.

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Exclusion buoy
Danger buoy
Control buoy
Information buoy

All-green and all-red companion buoys indicate that the boating channel is between them. In flowing water, the red buoy is on the right side of the channel when facing upstream.

In 2018, solar lights were added to the tops of some buoys for night time navigation.

Boats Keep Out: A white buoy or sign with an orange diamond and cross means that boats must keep out of the area. Black lettering on the buoy or sign gives the reason for the restriction, for example, SWIM AREA.

Danger: A white buoy or sign with an orange diamond warns boaters of danger – rocks, dams, rapids, etc. The source of danger will also be lettered in black. In winter, ice hazards may also be identified with this marker in the form of a sign.

Controlled Area: A white buoy or sign with an orange circle and black lettering indicates controlled or restricted areas on the water. The most common restriction is slow, no wake speed. Slow, no wake means operating your boat at the slowest possible speed necessary to maintain steerage, but in no case greater than five miles-per-hour.

Regulatory or informational markers are used to advise you of situations, dangers, or directions. They may indicate shoals, swim areas, speed zones, etc. They can be easily identified by the white color with orange geometric shapes.

Exclusion buoy

Explanation may be placed outside the crossed diamond shape, such as dam, rapids, swim area, etc.

Danger buoy

The nature of danger may be indicated inside the diamond shape, such as rock, wreck, shoal, dam, etc.

Control buoy

Type of control is indicated in the circle, such as slow, no wake, anchoring, etc.

May show white light and/or may be lettered.

Information buoy

For displaying information such as directions, distances, locations, etc.

Information: Squares provide information such as places to find food, supplies, and repairs; and they give directions, distances, and other non-regulatory information.

Danger Area: Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, or stumps. Always proceed with caution and keep a safe distance. Never assume that every hazard will be marked by a buoy.

Controlled Area: Circles indicate a controlled area such as no wake, idle speed, speed limit, or ski zone.

Exclusion Area: Crossed diamonds indicate areas off limits to all boats, such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways.

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Safe Water Markers: These are white with red vertical stripes and indicate unobstructed water on all sides. They mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed on either side.

Mooring Buoys: These are white with a blue horizontal band. They usually are placed in marinas and other areas where boats are allowed to anchor. These are the only buoys you may tie up to legally.

Inland Waters Obstruction Markers: These are white with black vertical stripes and indicate an obstruction to navigation. You should not pass between these buoys and the nearest shore.

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Animation Transcript

U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON)

From an overhead view, boats travel up waterways, passing buoys and markers of different types.

Safe Water Markers These are white with red vertical stripes and indicate unobstructed water on all sides. They mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed on either side. Green Colors, Green Lights, and Odd Numbers These mark the edge of the channel on your port (left) side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream. Numbers will usually increase consecutively as you return from the open sea or head upstream. Red Colors, Red Lights, and Even Numbers These mark the edge of the channel on your starboard (right) side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream. Numbers will usually increase consecutively as you return from the open sea or head upstream. Can Buoys These cylindrical-shaped buoys are always marked with green markings and odd numbers. They mark the edge of the channel on a boater’s port (left) side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream. Nun Buoys These cone-shaped buoys are always marked with red markings and even numbers. They mark the edge of the channel on a boater’s starboard (right) side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream. Red and Green Colors and/or Lights These are placed at the junction of two channels to indicate the preferred (primary) channel when a channel splits. If green is on top, the preferred channel is to the right. If red is on top, the preferred channel is to the left. These are also sometimes referred to as “junction buoys.” Controlled Area Circles indicate a controlled area such as no wake, idle speed, speed limit, or ski zone. Danger Area Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, or stumps. Always proceed with caution. Never assume every hazard will be marked with a buoy. Exclusion Area Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits to all vessels such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways. Mooring Buoys These are white with a blue horizontal band. They are usually placed in marinas and other areas where vessels are allowed to anchor. These are the only buoys you may legally tie up to. Inland Waters Obstruction Markers These are white with black vertical stripes and indicate an obstruction to navigation. You should not pass between these buoys and the shore. Daymarks These are permanently placed signs attached to structures such as posts in the water. Common daymarks are red triangles (equivalent to nuns) and green squares (equivalent to cans). These may also be lighted. Channels that are part of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) are identified by yellow symbols on channel buoys and markers.