Uniform State Waterway Marking System
This system was originally intended for use by states on lakes and inland waterways that weren’t covered by nautical charts. The buoys used in the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS) used colors, shapes and marking patterns that differed greatly from the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS).
In 1998, the U.S. Coast Guard decided to phase out the USWMS to avoid potential confusion of boaters and instead, favored using the more widely recognized ATONS. By 2003, the USWMS was completely phased out. Below are a few of the differences from the federal system you should know about.
| Summary of the important changes regarding the phase out of USWMS: |
- The old USWMS black port side channel markers are now GREEN can buoys.
- The old USWMS red starboard side channel markers are now red NUN buoys.
- The old USWMS red and white vertically striped buoys have been replaced by one of the following:
a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker,
or a red and black isolated danger marker.
- The old USWMS white buoys topped with black or red bands, have been replaced by one of the following: a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker, or a red and black isolated danger marker.
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Lateral Aids
The
state system differs in several ways, in case
you happen to encounter them:
 These aids also assist mariners in making a safe landfall, mark isolated dangers,
enable pilots to follow channels, and provide a continuous chain of charted
marks for precise piloting in coastal waters. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System
is intended for use with nautical charts, which provide valuable information
regarding water depths, hazards, and other features that you will not find in an
atlas or road map.
- Buoys are placed in pairs, and you pass
between them.
- State buoys do use the color red for starboard side marks, but they are cans, and not nuns,
while port buoys are black and can-shaped.
- Numbers on buoys go up as you head
upstream, or towards the head of
navigation.
- Portside buoys use the color black instead
of green.
- Portside buoys are numbered with
odd numbers.
- Portside buoys may
show a green reflector
or light.
- Starboard side buoys are red.
- Starboard side buoys are
numbered with
even numbers.
- Starboard side buoys may
show a red reflector
or light.
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Other State Aids
Red-topped White Buoys
- Signify that you may pass
south or west of buoy
- May be numbered
- May show a white reflector
or light
Black-striped white Buoys - Inland Waters
Obstruction Mark
- Signify that you should not pass between mark and nearest shore
- May be lettered
- May show white reflector or light
- Replaces the old red and white vertically
striped buoy
Black-topped White Buoys
- Signify that you may pass east
or north of buoy
- May be nubered
- May show white reflector or light
Important Note:
As of December 2003, the markers of the
old USWMS are obsolete. They have been replaced by markers of the Federal ATON System. |
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