When starting to navigate, one of the first essential aspects that every navigator must understand is the maritime signal system. These signs not only help to keep the safety at sea, but also They guide vessels, indicate dangers, delimit navigation channels and more. Within these signs, two of the most common—and often confused—are: buoys and the beacons. Although they may seem similar At first glance, they have functions and different characteristics that is worth knowing in detail. Below in Anclademia, we explain it to you in a clear and simple way What is the difference between a buoy and a beacon? and how to interpret them correctly during navigation.
What is a buoy?
A buoy it's a floating object anchored to the seabed by a mooring system (like a chain or rope) that allows you stay in a fixed position on the water. Sea buoys can have various shapes, colors and functions, but they all share the feature to be floatingTheir design allows them to drift within a very limited range, allowing them to withstand the movement of waves and winds.
exist different types of nautical buoys according to their function:
- Channel or lateral buoys: They mark the sides of a navigation channel. In the IALA Region A system (used in Europe), red buoys indicate the left side of the channel when entering from the sea, and green buoys indicate the right side.
- Cardinal buoys: They indicate where the danger lies and which cardinal direction it is safe to navigate.
- Isolated danger buoys: They indicate an obstacle surrounded by navigable waters.
- Special buoys: They mark specific areas as fishing, anchoring, recreational or scientific areas.
Safe water buoys: indicate that the waters around them are navigable.
In addition, many buoys are equipped with lights, reflectors, or topographical marks to be more visible at night or in low visibility.
What is a beacon?
Unlike a buoy, a beacon is a signal. fixed and not floating. This firmly installed about a permanent support as a rock, a concrete structure, a tower, or even in mainland or on a isletIts function is also to signpost, but being fixed, it serves as stable visual reference point.
The beacons can comply with different functions, similar to buoys, but are used in places where a permanent and robust signal is required, as:
- Entrances to ports or docks.
- Rocky or dangerous coasts.
- Narrow channel margins.
- Capes, points or islands close to navigation routes.
Like buoys, beacons can wear daytime markings (such as geometric shapes or bright colors), as well as lights for night signaling.
Why is it important to know this difference?
Knowing the difference between a buoy and a beacon It is not just a theoretical question: it is fundamental for the navigation safety. Each one has functions and different locations that can make the difference between following a safe route or end up in one dangerous zone.
For example, confusing a lateral buoy with a danger beacon isolated could lead to misinterpreting the entry channel to a port. Or, if you navigate from evening, not recognizing whether a light belongs to a floating buoy or a fixed beacon can cause disorientation.
In addition, a clear understanding of these signals allows make quick and accurate decisions in low visibility situations, heavy waves or high maritime traffic. Therefore, both in the initial training as in the advanced courses, we insist that this distinction be fully understood and put into practice.
In our nautical school, we not only teach how to recognize buoys and beacons, but also how to correctly interpret the entire maritime signaling systemBecause at sea, every detail counts.
