They can be easily identified by the orange bands on the top and bottom of each buoy. Type of control is indicated in the circle, such as slow, no wake, anchoring, etc. For displaying information such as directions, distances, locations, etc. Buoy used to display regulatory markers. These aids to navigation are not numbered as in IALA-B system.
Numbers indicate mileage from a fixed point.
Lights on green aids show a single-flash which may be green or white. Lights on red aids show a group-flash which may be red or white. Diamond-shaped crossing dayboards, red or green as appropriate, are used to indicate where the river channel crosses one bank to the other. On bodies of water wholly within state boundaries and not navigable to the sea, each state is responsible for establishing and maintaining aids to navigation. A uniform system of aids and regulatory markers has been agreed to by all states.