SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-special-marks-yellow

A solid yellow buoy is a 'special mark.' What is it used for?

Special areas like anchorages, cable areas or military exercise zones.

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  1. Marking the right side of a channel
  2. Showing special areas like anchorages or cable areas ✔
  3. Telling you the water is safe to swim

Why: Special marks are solid yellow. They aren't mainly for navigation; they point out areas on charts such as anchorages, cable or pipeline areas, and military exercise zones.

Huh, didn't know that: Yellow lights on aids to navigation have no lateral (left or right) meaning.

The dad joke
Why was the yellow buoy so calm? It knew it was special.
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References

Answer: Showing special areas like anchorages or cable areas. Special marks are solid yellow. They aren't mainly for navigation; they point out areas on charts such as anchorages, cable or pipeline areas, and military exercise zones.

  1. 33 CFR 62.31, Special marks www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/part-62
    They may be used, for example, to mark anchorages, cable or pipeline areas, traffic separation schemes, military exercise zones, ocean data acquisition systems, etc.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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