Axis Wake Research A20 Owner's Manual page 34

• Pass north or east of BLACK-TOPPED WHITE buoy.
• Pass south or west of RED-TOPPED WHITE buoy.
• RED and WHITE VERTICALLY STRIPED buoy indicates boat should pass outside of the buoy (away from
shore).
FWMS System
The FWMS Lateral System is for use on navigable waters except
Western Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways. The markings on these
buoys are oriented from the perspective of being entered from
seaward (the boater is going toward the port). This means that red
buoys are passed on the starboard (right) side of the vessel when
proceeding from open water into port, and green buoys to the port
(left) side.
The right side (starboard) of the channel is marked with RED,
even numbered buoys.
The left (port) side of the channel is marked with GREEN, odd
numbered buoys.
The middle of the channel is marked with RED and WHITE
vertically striped buoys; pass close to these buoys.
Obstructions, channel junctions, etc. are marked with RED and
GREEN horizontally striped buoys.
A RED band at the top means the preferred channel is to the
left of the buoy; a GREEN top band means the preferred channel is to the right of the buoy.
Day markers are colored and numbered the same as buoys. RED, triangular day markers with even
numbers mark the starboard side of the channel. GREEN, square day markers with odd numbers mark the
port side of the channel.
Lights, bells and horns are used on buoys for night or poor visibility conditions. Buoys with unique light
flashing characteristics are identified on nautical charts with the specific flashing pattern.
Unlighted Spar Buoy
Bell Buoy
Types of Buoys
There are several types and shapes of buoys. Buoys may be unlighted, lighted, with sound or may have
both an audible and a visual signal. Lights, bells and horns are used on buoys for night or poor visibility
conditions. Different shapes of buoys are shown below.
Buoys with unique light flashing characteristics are identified on nautical charts with the specific
flashing pattern.
Mooring Buoys
The only buoys from which you are permitted to moor are mooring buoys. Mooring buoys are white
with a blue horizontal stripe. Mooring to a navigation buoy, regulatory markers or lateral markers is illegal.
Uniform State Regulatory Markers
Regulatory markers indicate dangerous or restricted controlled areas. These markers are used to
indicate speed zones, areas set aside for particular use, general information and directions.
Regulatory markers are white with orange geometric shapes and also have orange bands near the top
and at the water line of the buoy. You must obey regulatory markers.
Nun Buoy Lighted Buoy
2016 Axis Wake Research Owner's Manual . . . Page 1-25
Spherical Safe Water Marker
Can Buoy Mooring Buoy-
White with Blue
Band May Show
White Reflector
or Light