Prepare for the Canadian Boating Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations. Ready to excel on your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which buoy indicates the location of safe water?

  1. Isolated Danger Buoys

  2. Junction Beacons

  3. Starboard-hand Day Beacons

  4. Cardinal Buoys

The correct answer is: Cardinal Buoys

Cardinal Buoys usually have a combination of colors, shapes, and numbers or letters, making them easily recognizable by mariners. They indicate the direction in which a mariner can safely pass based on local navigation hazards. In contrast, Isolated Danger Buoys (A) mark a single hazard or obstruction that stands alone in an otherwise navigable area. Junction Beacons (B) are used to mark the intersection of two channels, while Starboard-hand Day Beacons (C) indicate the starboard (right) side of a channel when entering from seaward. Therefore, D is the most accurate answer as cardinal buoys specifically show the direction of safe water to navigate through.