What is a mooring buoy?

A mooring buoy is specifically designed to indicate a designated area for vessels to moor. Mooring buoys are often marked with distinctive colors and symbols which help boaters identify them easily. Unlike other types of buoys, which may signal danger or provide navigational information such as depth, a mooring buoy serves the sole purpose of providing a secure point for boats to tie up.

When a vessel is moored to a buoy, it is able to remain stationary without the need for an anchor, which is particularly useful in crowded marinas or areas where anchoring is prohibited. This system helps to prevent anchor damage to the seabed and allows for more efficient use of space in busy water areas. Hence, the option that describes a mooring buoy accurately reflects its intended function in marine environments.