Malibu Boats M235 2018, Owner'S Manual

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Malibu Owners Manual • 2018 • Safety • Page 1-23
There are two primary marking systems in use in the U.S.: the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS), used on
inland waters and maintained by each state, and the Federal Waterway Marking System (FWMS), used on coastal waters and rivers
and maintained by the USCG. In addition, the FWMS has two modified systems: the Western River Buoyage, and the Intracoastal
Waterway Buoyage. Be sure to check with local authorities on the buoyage system in use in your boating region.
The type of hazard/warning buoys and markers depends on the area of jurisdiction. Check with local boating authorities.
USWMS System
In the USWMS Lateral System, well-defined channels are marked with red and black buoys, and the boat should pass between
them.
The USWMS Cardinal System is used when there is no well-defined channel or where an obstruction may be approached from
more than one direction. With the cardinal system:
• 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.
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.
unlighted bell buoy spar buoy nun buoy lighted buoy can buoy mooring buoy
-(
white with blue band may show white
reflector or light
)
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.