Boating Basics: On the Water

Non-Lateral Markers

Non-lateral markers are navigational aids that give information about topics other than the edges of safe water areas. The most common are regulatory markers, as shown below, that are white and use orange markings and black lettering. These markers are found on lakes and rivers.

Illustrations	What the Non-Lateral Markers Indicate
	Information: Squares indicate where to find food, supplies, repairs, etc. and give directions and other information.
	Controlled: Circles indicate a controlled area such as speed limit, no fishing or anchoring, ski only or no skiing, or “slow, no wake.”
	Exclusion: Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits to all vessels such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways
	Danger: Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, or stumps. Always proceed with caution.

Other Non-Lateral Markers

Illustrations	What the Non-Lateral Markers Indicate
	Safe Water Marksers are white with red vertical stripes and mark mid-channels or fairways. They may be passed on either side.
	Inland Waters Obstruction Marksers are white with black vertical stripes and indicate an obstruction to navigation. You should not pass between these buoys and the nearest shore.
	Mooring Buoy Another kind of buoy you may encounter is the mooring buoy. These are white with a blue horizontal band. They are usually placed in marinas and other areas where vessels are allowed to anchor.