What color pattern identifies an isolated danger buoy?

• A. Red and white vertical stripes
• B. Yellow
• C. Black and red bands
• D. White with blue horizontal band

Answer: (C)

Isolated danger marks are used to warn of a hazard that has navigable water all around it. The identifying pattern is a black buoy with a red horizontal band around its middle. That black background with a red band creates a strong, high-contrast cue from all directions, signaling you must steer clear of the area. It’s different from safe-water marks, which show red and white vertical stripes and indicate safe passage nearby, or from yellow marks, which signal special marks with unique instructions. So the black-and-red banding is the telltale sign of an isolated danger buoy.