Intracoastal Waterway

Some waters of the United States have slight differences in lateral markers. You should know about these differences if you will be boating on these waters.

The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is made up of inland channels in the eastern and southeastern United States. The channels are linked together and run parallel to the coastline. All channels in the ICW have yellow symbols on their lateral markers.

• When following the ICW in a clockwise direction, starting from New Jersey and heading to Brownsville, Texas:
  • Keep all markers with a yellow triangle on your starboard (right) side.
  • Keep all markers with a yellow square on your port (left) side.
• Follow these rules regardless of the shape or color of the lateral marker itself.

Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) symbols are most commonly found on daymarks.