Private Aids to Navigation

In Canada it is permissible for private individuals, clubs, corporations or other groups may place and maintain mooring buoys, hazard markers, or lights for their own and/or public use. Such aids to navigation are known as Private Aids to Navigation.

(More specifically, as defined by the Private Buoy Regulations a private aid includes any aid to navigation or mooring buoy which is not owned by a Federal or Provincial government or agency.)

All private buoys must conform to the specifications that are set out in the Canadian Aids to Navigation System, as well as meeting the requirements of the Private Buoy Regulations and Boating Restriction Regulations (as outlined in the Canada Shipping Act).

The Canadian Coast Guard recognizes the value of Private Aids in contributing to the safety and well being of the boating community, particularly in areas where the Coast Guard does not provide aids to navigation service.

The Coast Guard Aids to Navigation staff is ready to provide advice to anyone considering ownership of an aid to navigation and/or to assist in designing an Aids to Navigation system.

There are also some helpful guides:

• An Owner's Guide to Private Aids to Navigation
• The Canadian Aids to Navigation System Booklet (TP968). Available from your Canadian Hydrographics local chart dealer.