Buoy

boi, in navigation, any float designed to indicate a rock, shallow, or channel. A row of buoys may be anchored along either side of a channel leading amid rocks or shallows to a harbor, in which case those of one series are painted usually of a color strongly contrasting with that of the other series. A pilot is assisted by knowing that he must steer, for instance, to the right of all red buoys and to the left of all black ones. When proceeding up stream or toward the head of a harbor or estuary, the pilot leaves flat-topped buoys on the port hand and conical-shaped buoys on the starboard hand. Spherical buoys indicate a shallow with a channel on each side. Bell buoys carry a bell rung by the heaving of the waves. Lamps and even electric lights, in a shore circuit, of course, are employed to render buoys visible at night. A life buoy is a life preserver, made usually of first crop cork covered with painted canvas. It is made in the form of a belt and is designed to surround the body below the armpits, and keep a person afloat till boats can reach him. Ships are required by law to carry life buoys accessible in case of disaster.