There are two main types of waterway markers on our waterways designed to assist vessel operators in navigation and accident prevention. It is important that boaters be familiar with each of these buoy types and the message each one conveys. For safety reasons, except for an approved mooring buoy, no person may moor or fasten any vessel to a regulatory buoy or aid to navigation. It is unlawful for unauthorized persons to move, remove, molest, tamper with, destroy or attempt to destroy any waterway marker.
All regulatory buoys are white with a single orange band at the top and bottom of the exposed buoy.
The control symbol is spaced between these bands and is also orange in color. Any wording or message will be in black letters. This buoy is signified by a cross in the center of an open diamond. Boats Keep Out buoys mark areas where vessel operation is prohibited. Typical areas for these buoys are swim beaches and dams.