Buoys, marks and beacons and reserved areas

Port hand markers

When entering the harbour, channel or marina, the red port (left) mark should be kept on the boat’s port (left) side, and the green starboard (right) mark on the boat’s starboard (right) side.

• May have a red flashing light at night.
• Shape: Can, pillar or spar.
• Colour: Red.
• Topmark: (if any) Red can.
• Light: (if any) Red; any rhythm other than preferred channel.

Starboard hand markers

When leaving the harbour, channel or marina the red mark should be kept on the boat’s starboard (right) side, and the green mark on the boat’s port (left) side.

• May have a green flashing light at night.
• Shape: Conical, pillar or spar.
• Colour: Green.
• Topmark: (if any) Green cone.
• Light: (if any) Green; any rhythm other than preferred channel.

Preferred channel to Port

If entering the harbour and approaching two channels, the preferred channel to port marker indicates which side the predominant channel is on. If you opt to take the preferred channel the marker should be kept on the boat’s starboard (right) side.

• May have a green flashing light at night.
• Shape: Conical, pillar or spar.
• Colour: Green with red band.
• Topmark: (if any) Green cone.
• Light: (if any) Green composite group flash Fl (2+1).

Preferred channel to Starboard

If entering the harbour and approaching two channels, the preferred channel to starboard marker indicates which side the predominant channel is on. If you opt to take the preferred channel the marker should be kept on the boat’s port (left) side.

• May have a red flashing light at night.
• Shape: Can, pillar or spar.
• Colour: Red with green band.
• Topmark: (if any) Red can.
• Light: (if any) Red composite group flash Fl (2+1).

Isolated danger marks

To mark a small danger area with navigable water all around it.

Safe water marks

This does not mark a danger, but is used to mark mid channels or the beginning of a fairway.  There is safe water all around the mark. 

Special marks

Marks an area of special significance such as a cable or pipeline, a military exercise area, a recreation zone or marine farm or marine reserve.

Cardinal marker

These marks indicate the side of any point of interest or danger on which it is safe to pass. The deepest water in that area is on the named side of the mark.

Reserved area marker

A reserved area gives swimmers and Personal Water Craft (PWC) priority for certain activities such as skiing and jet skiing. Reserved areas are marked with black and white horizontal banded posts.

Waterski access lane marker

You may only ski from shore in a water ski access lane or reserved area; otherwise the 5 knot rule applies. Ski access lanes and reserved areas have no special status unless actually in use for skiing. Water skiers may exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of the shore within marked zones only.

• All ski lanes operate in an anticlockwise direction.
• You must enter and drop off on the right side of the lane as you face the land.
• You must take off and exit on the right side of the lane as you face the water.
• Vessels engaged in water skiing have priority in these areas.