Safe Water Markers
What are safe water markers?
![Safe water buoy](https://aceboater.com/hs-fs/hubfs/courses/usa2024/images/images-transparentes/fairway-buoy-hr-2.png?width=1100&height=619&name=fairway-buoy-hr-2.png)
The Safe Water Mark, also commonly referred to as a “Mid-Channel Buoy,” “Fairway Buoy,” or “Sea Buoy.” is used to indicate safe water in all directions.
These are white with red vertical stripes and indicate unobstructed water on all sides.
Where can a safe water mark be found?
It is most often used to indicate the beginning of a marked channel when approaching from seaward (offshore approach points). However, they may also be used at either end or along the centerline of any channel to indicate the best water.
They can be passed on either side, although by convention they should be kept on your port hand. That way you will always be favoring the right hand side of the waterway.