Boating Basics: On the Water

Non-Lateral Markers

Non-lateral markers are navigation aids that give information other than the edges of safe water areas. The most common are regulatory markers that are white and use orange markings and black lettering. These markers are found on lakes and rivers.

Illustrations	What the Non-Lateral Markers Indicate
	Information Squares indicate where to find food, supplies, repairs, etc. and give directions and other information.
	Controlled Circles indicate a controlled area such as speed limit, no fishing or anchoring, ski only or no skiing, or "slow, no wake."
	Exclusion Crossed diamonds indicate areas off-limits to all vessels such as swimming areas, dams, and spillways.
	Danger Diamonds warn of dangers such as rocks, shoals, construction, dams, or stumps. Always proceed with caution.

Other Non-Lateral Markers

	Safe Water Markers are white with red vertical stripes and mark mid-channels or fairways. They may be passed on either side.
	Inland Waters Obstruction Markers are white with black vertical stripes and indicate an obstruction to navigation. You should not pass between these buoys and the nearest shore.

Floating Fish Traps

• Commercial fishermen employ floating fish traps in New England waters. Floating fish traps are a maze of vertical nets that are anchored to the water bottom and stretched to the water's surface by attached floats. These traps can be dangerous to recreational boaters.
• Boaters should learn to recognize and avoid fish traps.
  • Look for a network of floating barrels, buoys, or floats.
  • Do not pass between the buoys.
  • Give wide berth to nets in order to avoid their long anchor lines.
• Check your nautical charts for areas where fish traps may be located.

These traps can also be anchored off shore as well as secured to the shore.