DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES  
LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION  
STATE UNIFORM WATERWAY MARKING SYSTEM  
(By authority conferred on the department of natural resources by section 80121of 1994  
PA 451, MCL 324.80121)  
R 281.1101 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) "Act" means 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.80101to MCL 324. 80199. Terms  
defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these rules.  
(2) "Buoy" means a floating device, including, but not limited to, can, nun, mooring  
and spar, which by means of certain specifications shall be used to warn vessel  
operators of natural or artificial obstructions or hazards; to indicate safe channels and  
to furnish information and control vessel operation.  
(3) "Cardinal system" means an aid to navigation based on the cardinal points of the  
compass, north, east, south, and west.  
(4) "Lateral system" means aids to navigation based on the use of red and black solid  
colored buoys.  
(5) "Occulting" means a light totally eclipsed at regular intervals, the duration of light  
always greater than the duration of darkness.  
(6) "Quick flashing" means a light flashing not less than 60 flashes per minute.  
(7) "Regulatory marker" means a buoy or daymark that indicates to a vessel  
operator the existence of dangerous areas, restricted or controlled areas and provides  
information and directions; regulatory marker does not include buoys used to mark fish  
nets and devices.  
(8) "Slow flashing" means a light flashing not more than 30 flashes per minute.  
(9) "Uniform waterway marker system" means the system of private aids to  
navigation, including regulatory markers, which may be placed in the waters of the  
state.  
History: 1979 AC; 2014 AACS.  
R 281.1102 Applicability.  
Rule 2. These rules apply to any person placing regulatory markers or other aids to  
navigation on any waters within the territorial limits of this state including those waters  
of the Great Lakes which are under the jurisdiction of this state.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1103 Revocable marker permits.  
Rule 3. (1) A person shall not place buoys, markers or aids to navigation, except  
mooring buoys and buoys for marking fish nets or fishing devices, in any waters of  
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the state unless  
a
permit granting authority to do so has been issued by the  
department or the United States coast guard.  
(2) A person desiring to place buoys, markers or aids to navigation, except mooring  
buoys and buoys for marking fish nets or fishing devices, in any waters of the state shall  
comply with the following:  
(a) File an application for a revocable marker permit with the department on  
forms furnished by the department.  
(b) Place the buoys, markers or aids to navigation in accordance with the location,  
specifications, terms and conditions specified in the permit.  
(c) Maintain the buoys, markers or aids to navigation in a good, serviceable and  
legible condition.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1104 General.  
Rule 4. (1) The state uniform waterway marking system has been developed to provide  
means to convey to the small vessel operator, in particular, adequate guidance to  
indicate safe boating channels by indicating the presence of either natural or  
artificial obstructions or hazards, marking restricted or controlled areas, and providing  
directions. The uniform waterway marking system is suited for use in all water areas  
and designed to satisfy the needs of all types of small vessels. It supplements and is  
generally compatible with the United States coast guard lateral system aids to  
navigation.  
(2) The uniform waterway marking system consists of 2 categories of aids to navigation  
which are:  
(a) A system of regulatory markers to indicate to a vessel operator the existence of  
dangerous areas as well as those which are restricted or controlled, such as speed  
zones and areas dedicated to a particular use, or to provide general information and  
directions.  
(b) A system of aids to navigation to supplement the federal lateral system of  
buoyage.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1105 Markers; size, shape, material, and construction.  
Rule 5. (1) The size, shape, material, and construction of all markers, both fixed and  
floating, shall be such as to be observable under normal conditions of visibility at a  
distance whereby the significance of the marker or aid will be recognizable before  
the observer proceeds into danger.  
(2) All buoys, except mooring buoys and fish net or other fishing device buoys, shall  
be not less than 6 inches in diameter and shall have an exposure of not less than 36  
inches extending above the water line of the buoy.  
(3) Mooring buoys shall be not less than 12 inches in diameter and shall have an  
exposure of not less than 18 inches extending above the water line of the buoy.  
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(4) Buoys of dimensions other than specified by these rules may be authorized by  
the director or his authorized representative to meet unusual conditions.  
(5) All buoys shall be ballasted so that they will float upright without assistance from  
the anchor or anchor line.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1106 Numbers, letters, or words on markers.  
Rule 6. (1) Numbers, letters or words on an aid to navigation or regulatory  
marker shall be placed in a manner as to be clearly visible to an approaching or passing  
vessel. They shall be block style, well-proportioned and as large as the available  
space permits. Numbers and letters on red or black backgrounds shall be white;  
numbers and letters on white backgrounds shall be black.  
(2) Odd numbers shall be used to identify solid colored black buoys or black topped  
buoys; even numbers shall be used to identify solid colored red buoys or red topped  
buoys. All numbers shall increase in an upstream direction or toward the head of  
navigation. The use of numbers to identify buoys is discretionary unless required as  
specified in the permit.  
(3) Letters only may be used to identify regulatory and red vertically striped  
obstruction markers. When used, the letters shall follow alphabetical sequence in  
an upstream direction or toward the head of navigation. The letters I and O shall be  
omitted to preclude confusion with numbers. The use of letters to identify regulatory  
and obstruction markers is discretionary unless required as specified in the permit.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1107 Reflectors or retroreflective materials.  
Rule 7. (1) The use of reflectors or retroreflective materials is discretionary unless  
required as specified in the permit.  
(2) When used on buoys having lateral significance, red reflectors or retroreflective  
materials shall be used on solid colored red buoys; green reflectors or retroreflective  
materials shall be used  
on  
solid  
colored black buoys; white reflectors or  
retroreflective materials only shall be used for all other buoys including regulatory  
markers, except that orange reflectors or retroreflective materials may be used on the  
orange portions of regulatory markers.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1108 Navigation lights; types; colors.  
Rule 8. (1) The use of navigational lights is discretionary unless required as  
specified in the permit.  
(2) When used, lights on solid colored buoys shall be regularly flashing,  
regularly occulting or equal interval lights. For ordinary purposes, the frequency of  
flashes may be not more than 30 flashes per minute. When it is desired that lights  
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have a distinct cautionary significance, as at sharp turns or sudden constrictions in the  
channel or to mark wrecks or other artificial or natural obstructions, the frequency of  
flashes may be not less than 60 flashes per minute.  
(3) When a light is used on a cardinal system buoy or a vertically striped white and  
red buoy, it shall always be quick flashing.  
(4) The colors of the lights shall be the same as for reflectors; a red light only on a  
solid colored red buoy; a green light only on solid colored black buoy; a white light  
only for all other buoys including regulatory markers.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1109 Ownership identification.  
Rule 9. The use and placement of ownership identification is discretionary if  
ownership identification is worded and placed in a manner which avoids detracting  
from the meaning intended to be conveyed by a navigational aid or regulatory marker.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1110 Regulatory markers.  
Rule 10. (1) Each regulatory marker shall be colored white with  
international orange geometric shapes.  
(2) When a buoy is used as a regulatory marker, it shall be white with horizontal  
bands of international orange completely around the buoy circumference. One band  
shall be at the top of the buoy body, with a second band placed just above the water  
line of the buoy so that both international orange bands are clearly visible to  
approaching vessels. The area of buoy body visible between the 2 bands shall be white.  
(3) Geometric shapes shall be placed on the white portion of the buoy body and shall  
be colored international orange. The authorized geometric shapes and meanings  
associated with them are as follows:  
(a) A vertical open faced diamond shape to mean danger.  
(b) A vertical open faced diamond shape having a cross centered in the diamond to  
mean that a vessel is excluded from the marked area.  
(c) A circular shape to mean that a vessel operated in the marked area is subject to  
certain operating restrictions.  
(d) A square or rectangular shape with directions or information lettered on the  
inside.  
(4) Where a regulatory marker consists of a square or rectangular shaped sign  
displayed from the shore or a structure, the sign shall be white, with an international  
orange border. When a diamond or circular geometric shape associated with meaning of  
the marker is included, it shall be  
centered on the signboard.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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R 281.1111 Aids to navigation.  
Rule 11. (1) On a well defined channel including a river or other relatively narrow  
natural or improved waterway, an aid to navigation shall be a solid colored buoy. A buoy  
which marks the left side of the channel looking upstream or toward the head of  
navigation shall be colored all black. A buoy which marks the right side of the  
channel looking upstream or toward the head of navigation shall be colored all red.  
On a well defined channel, solid colored buoys shall be established in pairs, 1 or  
each side of the navigable channel which they mark, and opposite each other to  
inform the user that the channel lies between the buoys and that he should pass between  
the buoys.  
(2) On an irregularly defined channel, solid colored buoys may be used singly in  
staggered fashion on alternate sides of the channel if they are spaced at sufficiently  
close intervals to inform the user that the channel lies between the buoys and that he  
should pass between the buoys.  
(3) Where there is no well defined channel or when a body of water is obstructed by  
objects whose nature or location is such that the obstruction can be approached by  
a vessel from more than 1 direction, supplemental aids to navigation having cardinal  
meaning (i.e., pertaining to the cardinal points of the compass, north, east, south, and  
west) shall be used. The use of aids to navigation having cardinal meaning is limited  
to those waters of the state which are not navigable waters of the United States.  
(4) Aids to navigation conforming to the cardinal system shall consist of  
3 distinctly colored buoys.  
(a) A white buoy with a red top shall be used to indicate to a vessel operator that he  
must pass to the south or west of the buoy.  
(b) A white buoy with a black top shall be used to indicate to a vessel operator that he  
must pass to the north or east of the buoy.  
(c) A buoy showing alternate red and white stripes shall be used to indicate to a  
vessel operator that an obstruction to navigation extends from the nearest shore to the  
buoy and that he must not pass between the buoy and shore. The number of white and  
red stripes is discretionary, if the white stripes are twice the width of the red stripes.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 281.1112 Mooring buoys.  
Rule 12. Mooring buoys may be placed in waters of the state without a permit  
having been issued by the department; however, they shall:  
(a) Be colored white and shall have a horizontal blue band around the circumference  
of the buoy centered midway between the top of the buoy and the water line.  
(b) If required to be lighted, display a slow flashing white light. When its location in a  
waterway is such that is constitutes an obstruction to a vessel operated during hours of  
darkness, it shall display a quick flashing white light.  
(c) Bear ownership identification if desired and if the manner and placement of the  
identification does not detract from the meaning intended to be conveyed by the color  
scheme or identification letter when assigned.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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R 281.1113 Buoys marking fish nets or other fishing devices.  
Rule 13. (1) Buoys marking fish nets or other fishing devices may be placed in  
waters of the state without a permit.  
(2) Buoys marking state licensed commercial fishing nets, hook lines, or any other  
continuous fishing devices shall meet all of the following requirements:  
(a) Be a spar buoy with a staff not less than 1 inch in diameter.  
(b) Have an exposure of not less than 5 1/2 feet above the water surface.However, in  
waters less than 6 feet deep, exposure above the water surface shall be 3 to 5 ½ feet.  
(c) Display 1 or more flags that meet both of the following requirements:  
(i) Each flag shall be orange in color, not less than 12 inches by 12 inches and shall  
be securely affixed to the buoy.  
(ii) The uppermost flag shall be attached to the top of the spar and any required  
additional flag shall be attached immediately below the uppermost flag.  
(d) As required by subrules (6) and (8) of this rule, have affixed a license number or  
other identification required by section 47322 of 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.47322. The  
license number shall be displayed in plain, legible letters or numbers, or both, that are at  
least 3 inches in height and that are of a color that contrasts to the bowl to which they  
are affixed.  
(e) Be maintained in good and serviceable condition.  
(f) Float in an upright position.  
(g) When required by subrules (4) and (5) of this rule, be constructed of metal or be  
fitted with a metal radar reflector consisting of metallic plates or cylinders not less than 6  
inches in height and capable of radar detection from any direction.  
(3) Floats marking state licensed commercial fishing nets, hook lines, or any other  
continuous fishing devices shall meet all of the following requirements:  
(a) Be orange in color and float on the surface.  
(b) Except as otherwise specified in subrules (4) and (6), a float shall be at least 6  
inches in diameter and 14 inches in length. As an alternative, a gang or group of smaller  
floats bound together and having a combined median longitudinal cross-section surface  
area equal to or greater than a 6 inch by 14 inch float may be used.  
(c) Be maintained in good and serviceable condition.  
(4) Impoundment nets, other than pound nets, shall be marked with the following  
combination of spar buoys and floats:  
(a) A float shall be attached to the king anchor.  
(b) A spar buoy displaying 2 orange flags and having a metal radar reflector  
affixed to the top of the staff shall be attached to the lifting buoy.  
(c) A spar buoy displaying an orange flag shall be attached to the lead anchor,  
however, reverse trap nets sharing a common lead do not require a spar buoy on the  
common lead.  
(d) A float shall be attached to each wing anchor.  
(e) Any portion of an impoundment net, including wings or lead, set in such a  
manner that there is 15 feet of water or less above the top of the net, wing, or lead shall  
display at least 1 of the following:  
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(i) A float spaced not more than every 300 feet along the entire length of the net, wing,  
or lead.  
(ii) A float that is at least 1 ½ inches in diameter and 4 inches in length spaced  
every 12 feet along the corkline of the net, wing, or lead.  
(5) A pound net shall be marked with a spar buoy that is attached to the lifting buoy.  
The spar buoy shall display 2 orange flags, and be constructed  
of metal or be fitted with a metal radar reflector affixed to the top of the  
staff and consisting of metallic plates or cylinders not less than 6 inches  
in height and capable of radar detection from any direction.  
(6) Gill nets shall be marked with the following combination of spar buoys  
and floats:  
(a) A spar buoy shall be attached to each end of the gill net or to each end of a gang of  
gill nets and shall display an orange flag. It shall be constructed of metal or be fitted  
with a metal radar reflector affixed to the top of the staff and consisting of metallic plates  
or cylinders not less than 6 inches in height and capable of radar detection from any  
direction.  
(b) In addition to the requirements in subdivision (a) of this subrule, any portion of a  
gill net set in water 15 feet deep or less shall have at least 1 of the following:  
(i) A float spaced not more than every 300 feet along the entire length of the net.  
(ii) A float that is at least 1 ½ inches in diameter and 4 inches in length spaced  
every 12 feet along the corkline.  
(7) Hook lines shall be marked by a spar buoy displaying an orange flag attached to  
each end of the hook line or each end of a gang of hook lines.  
(8) A fisher setting or using nets, hook lines, or other continuous fishing devices  
shall display their license number upon the buoy bowls as follows:  
(a) On all gill net spar buoy bowls.  
(b) On all hook line spar buoy bowls.  
(c) On trap nets and other impoundment fishing devices, excluding pound nets, on the  
bowl of the lifting buoy.  
(d) On pound nets, on the middle stake of the non-lead side of the pound net.  
(9) When any net, hook line, or other continuous fishing device is set under the ice,  
its location shall be marked by a stake extending not less than 4 feet above the surface  
of the ice at each end of the net, hook line, or continuous fishing device. The license  
number of the fisher setting or using the net, hook line, or other continuous fishing  
device shall be displayed on each stake in plain, legible figures at least 3 inches in  
height.  
(10) Floats and buoys required by this rule shall be attached with the minimum  
amount of line necessary to allow the float or buoy to remain visible on the water's  
surface. Any extra line, including lines from buoys or other equipment necessary for the  
operation of the fishing device, shall be weighted in a manner that causes the extra  
line to be submerged vertically below any buoy, float, or other equipment.  
History: 2004 AACS.  
R 281.1114 Nonconforming markers.  
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Rule 14. Markers or buoys established in waters of the state in accordance with  
terms of a permit issued by the department prior to the effective date of these rules  
may be continued in use as long as they are in good, serviceable and legible condition.  
At such time as the markers or buoys are no longer in good, serviceable and legible  
condition or are replaced for other reasons, they shall be replaced with buoys  
conforming to these rules.  
History: 1979 AC.  
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