What is the primary purpose of navigation buoys?

The primary purpose of navigation buoys is to mark safe water channels. Buoys serve as visual guides for boaters, indicating where it is safe to navigate, particularly in areas where hazards such as shallow water, rocks, or other obstacles may be present. They help boaters understand the navigable routes and identify navigational aids, ensuring that vessels can travel safely through waterways.

Buoys are strategically placed to outline channels and direct boaters, making them essential for safe maritime navigation. The color, shape, and markings on the buoys communicate specific information about the waterway, guiding operators to avoid potential dangers.

While buoys may sometimes indicate fishing zones, signal docking areas, or relate to water depth, these are not their primary functions. Instead, the crucial role of aiding safe navigation underscores why they are primarily used to mark safe water channels.