Canadian Aids to Navigation System (CANS)

Lateral Buoys

Bifurcation Buoy

Bifurcation buoy

 

(red and green bands)

You may pass this buoy on either side when moving upstream. The colour of the top band shows which one is the main or preferred channel. For example: keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side.

Port Hand Buoy

Port hand buoy

 

(green can, pillar, or spar)

Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when going upstream.

Starboard Hand Buoy

Starboard hand buoy

 

(red conical, pillar, or spar)

Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when going upstream.

Upstream Direction

Keep the red buoys on the right side when returning home(returning from sea).

Special Purpose Buoys

Cautionary buoy

Cautionary buoy

 

A cautionary buoy marks dangers such as firing ranges, underwater pipelines, race courses, seaplane bases and areas where no through channel exists.

Anchorage buoy

Anchorage buoy

An anchorage buoy marks the outer limits of designated anchorage areas. Consult the chart for water depth.

Mooring buoy

Mooring buoy

A mooring buoy is used for mooring or securing vessels. Be aware that when you see one, a vessel may be secured to it.

Information buoy

Information buoy

An information buoy displays information such as locality, marina, campsite, etc. inside the orange square.

Hazard buoy

Hazard buoy

A hazard buoy marks random hazards such as shoals and rocks. Information is illustrated inside the orange diamond.

Control buoy

Control buoy

Obey the speed limits, wash restrictions, etc. illustrated inside the orange circle.

Keep out buoy

Keep out buoy

A keep out buoy marks areas your vessel may not enter.

Diving buoy

Diving buoy

A diving buoy marks an area where scuba or other such diving activity is in progress. It is not normally charted.

Swimming buoy

Swimming buoy

 

A swimming buoy marks the outer limits of swimming areas. It may not be charted.

Standard Daybeacons

Port Hand daybeacons

Port hand daybeacon

 

When going upstream, keep a port hand daybeacon on your port (left) side.

Starboard Hand daybeacons

Starboard hand daybeacon

 

When proceeding upstream, must be kept on the vessel’s starboard (right) side.

Junction daybeacons (Preferred channel to right)

Junction daybeacon

 

This daybeacon marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If you want to take the channel to your right, keep this daybeacon on your port (left) side.

Junction (Preferred channel to left)

This daybeacon marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If you want to take the channel to your left, keep this daybeacon on your starboard (right) side.

Cardinal Buoys

Cardinal buoys

 

Description:

  • Yellow and black
  • White lights – flash characters indicated below (if equipped)
  • The points of the 2 topmark cones tell you where to find safe water
  • Topmark cones show where the black bands are placed on the buoy
  • Letterhead – no numbers
  • White retroreflective material

Isolated Danger Buoy

Bouée de danger isolé

 

This buoy marks an isolated danger, such as a small shoal or a wreck, that has navigable water all around it. Consult the chart to learn the size, depth, etc. of the danger.