Waterway Markers & Permitting

Waterway Markers are devices, such as buoys or signs, designed to be in, or near boatable waters to convey an official message to a boat operator.

“Regulatory markers" alert boat operators to restrictions set in law including, but not limited to:

• boat exclusion areas
• motor, horsepower, speed, or
• wake restrictions.

“Information markers" are warnings of dangers or obstructions to navigation. They can also be official and informational in nature to contribute to the safety and well-being of boaters. 

Channel Marker Colors: Understanding Red and Green Markers and Navigation Buoys 

Understanding Red and Green Markers and Navigation Buoys Red and green colors are what you'll see for markers and buoys in Oregon. They identify the main channel and which side of the channel to be on to avoid a collision.

• When you're heading inland from open water or heading upstream in a river, keep the red markers to your right (starboard) and the green ones to your left (port).
• When you're heading from the ocean into a bay, or from a bay into a river, harbor, or port, the red markers belong on your right side.

Hence, the old saying “Red Right Returning." Sometimes you'll see an aid to navigation that has horizontal bands of both red and green. These mark the junction between two channels. In this case, the color that's highest on the marker indicated the preferred or primary channel.

Another aid to navigation is a “non-lateral" marker. Each of these has its own specific use and meaning:

Diamond-shaped Dayboards – These are used to help you determine your location, more or less like the “you are here" marks on a map.

Danger Marks – Look out for red and black horizontal bands, which indicate an isolated danger that can be passed on either side.

Range Markers – These are pairs of markers, often with non-blinking lights. When you're in the middle of the channel, the two markers and/or lights line up vertically. Many are paired with one marker located on land and the other on the water which lines up visually when you are in the channel.