What are those Red, Green and Yellow square blocks floating on the local waterways?
These navigation buoys (sometimes called markers) are there for the convenience and safety of boaters. YELLOW ones indicate a submerged hazard, and boats should stay well clear of them. RED and GREEN ones indicate a safe channel between them for boats to follow. Where there is only a single RED or GREEN buoy, then, when going upstream (or north, or against the current), the RED buoy should pass by on the Right side of your vessel (Red Right Returning is the phrase to remember), and the GREEN buoy on the Left side. When going downstream (or south, or with the current), it is the reverse. It is important (and illegal) not to disturb these markers; by moving them, tying your vessel to them, or colliding with them. Shallow-draught vessels such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and some smaller outboards, as well as swimmers, and people floating on water toys and such, do not need to stay between the buoys, and should move out of a marked channel if a boat approaches. We try, but it is possibl
