A buoy with lights indicating navigation hazards typically features what color?

A buoy with lights indicating navigation hazards is typically colored red. This is a standard maritime color coding that helps boaters identify potential dangers in navigational waters. The use of red signifies areas that require caution, such as the presence of hazards like rocks, shallow water, or other obstacles that could pose a threat to safe navigation.

In maritime navigation, colors are significant as they communicate essential information to mariners. Red buoys often indicate that the waterway is not safe for navigation or may require the navigator to take specific actions to avoid danger. The lighting on these buoys further enhances visibility, especially during nighttime or low-visibility conditions, ensuring that they stand out to oncoming vessels.

Other colors, such as green, often denote safe passages or preferred channels, while blue and yellow serve different navigational purposes, such as indicating controlled or special-use areas. Thus, the red color for hazard buoys plays a critical role in maritime safety and awareness, guiding boaters to navigate more safely and effectively.