How-to
Lesson: 3
Test your Knowledge: Safe Water Buoy Quiz
Captain Paul Sullivan
First Reef Sailing
Do you know the purpose and placement of red & white safe water buoys?
Grab a pen and paper to jot down your answers and test your knowledge. Here's a hint to help you get started:
“Where There’s White, You’re Alright!”
All answers are posted at the bottom of this page… no peeking! 👀
1️⃣ What does a red and white vertically striped buoy indicate?
A) There’s a hazard here – stay away!
B) This is a mooring buoy – tie up here
C) Safe water – you can pass on either side
D) You’re in a no-wake zone
2️⃣ What shape is a red and white safe water buoy typically?
A) Can
B) Nun
C) Sphere or pillar
D) Cone with stripes
3️⃣ Which of the following is another name for a safe water buoy?
A) Fairway buoy
B) Regulatory marker
C) Channel edge buoy
D) Mid-channel buoy
4️⃣ You spot a red and white buoy with a Morse Code “A” light pattern (short-long). What does this tell you?
A) “Danger – shallow water!”
B) “This is the preferred channel”
C) “You’re approaching safe water from the sea”
D) “Anchorage ahead”
5️⃣ True or False: Safe water buoys are only used in inland lakes and rivers.
6️⃣ Which phrase can help you remember what a red and white buoy means?
A) “Red to right, returning”
B) “White means fright”
C) “Where there’s white, you’re alright”
D) “Red and white – don’t anchor at night”
7️⃣ A safe water buoy marks which of the following?
A) Beginning of a channel
B) End of a no-wake zone
C) Submerged rock
D) Location of a lobster pot field
Ready to Check Your Answers?
✅ Answer Key
1️⃣ C) Safe water – you can pass on either side
2️⃣ C) Sphere or pillar
3️⃣ D) Mid-channel buoy
4️⃣ C) “You’re approaching safe water from the sea”
5️⃣ False
6️⃣ C) “Where there’s white, you’re alright”
7️⃣ A) Beginning of a channel
🎯 Scoring Guide:
6–7 correct = Buoy Boss 🏆
4–5 correct = Channel Competent ⛵
0–3 correct = Time to Review 📚
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