Which buoy is designated as a mooring buoy?

The designated mooring buoy is the white buoy with a horizontal blue stripe. This buoy serves a specific purpose in boating—indicating a designated area where boaters can securely tie their vessels. The blue stripe is a universal symbol that helps in identifying mooring buoys among other types of markers in the water.

Understanding the function of this buoy is crucial for proper navigation and safe docking. Mooring buoys are intended for temporary boat mooring and typically help to prevent damage to underwater habitats, as they provide a central point for anchoring without the need for boats to drop anchor directly on the seafloor. By using a mooring buoy, boaters help maintain the ecological health of lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.

Other buoy types serve different navigational roles. For example, green buoys usually indicate safe passage on the port side when approaching a harbor, while red buoys mark safe passage on the starboard side. The red buoy with a yellow stripe is often used as a control or special-purpose buoy, and the yellow buoy with a black ball might indicate anchorages or other specific areas. Understanding these distinctions is critical for safe boating practices.