Which description best matches an exclusion area buoy used in boating?

• A. A designated fishing area.
• B. A mooring zone for authorized vessels.
• C. Areas off-limits and unsafe for all vessels.
• D. A no-wake zone.

Answer: (C)

An exclusion area buoy marks zones that are off-limits and unsafe for all vessels. It signals that entering the area is prohibited because of hazards such as diving operations, dredging, construction, or submerged dangers. When you see this buoy, your course should steer well clear of the boundary and you should not attempt to enter, anchor, or pass through the area. If you’re planning a route near the area, adjust to avoid it and check local notices to mariners for any updates or additional instructions.

Other options describe different restrictions: a designated fishing area refers to where fishing is regulated or organized; a mooring zone for authorized vessels is reserved for specific ships that have permission to dock or anchor there; a no-wake zone requires reducing speed to create minimal wake but is not necessarily an outright prohibition on entering.