Fairway buoy / Safe Water Mark Special buoy
What is the meaning of fairway buoy?
This particular mark is quite interesting as it can be viewed from two different perspectives. On one hand, it is known as the Safe Water Mark, as it signifies the point where a vessel leaves behind the safety of a buoyed area and ventures into the vast open sea.
On the other hand, when a vessel approaches this mark from the open sea, it is referred to as the Fairway Buoy. It serves as a clear indication that a buoyed channel or harbor is about to begin.
The primary purpose of this mark is simply to define the boundary of a buoyed harbor, acting as a guiding beacon for mariners.
You can easily identify this mark by its distinctive red and white vertical stripes that alternate all around. And if it has a top mark, it will be a striking red ball.
