That a buoy is a floating device that can have many different purposes? It can be anchored (stationary) or allowed to drift. Some types of buoys are: sea mark (channel and hazard markers), lifebuoy (in case you fall off the boat), decompression (deployed by submerged divers to mark their position underwater while doing decompression stops), mooring (to tie your boat to), and lobster trap.
Lobster trap buoys are brightly colored buoys used for the marking of lobster trap locations so lobstermen can find their lobster traps? Each lobster fisherman has his or her own color markings or registration numbers so they know which ones are theirs. They are only allowed to haul their own traps and must display their buoy color or license number on their boat so law enforcement officials know what they should be hauling. The buoys are brightly colored with highly visible numbers so they can be seen under conditions when there is poor visibility like rain, fog, sea smoke, etc.
The word buoy can also be used figuratively. For example, a person can buoy (lift up) someone’s spirits by providing help, empathy, or an enjoyable GMG post. Hope your spirits were buoyed today by this orange toothed buoy smile.
E.J. Lefavour
www.khanstudiointernational.com
Here is a video with Johnny “Doc” Herrick in which he goes over the anatomy of a lobster buoy-
Good Morning Gloucester 
Thanks Joey – very cool add on with the Anatomy of a Lobster Buoy video.
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“Hope your spirits were buoyed today by this orange toothed buoy smile.” They were 🙂 Thanks!
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Great Shot EJ! Reminds me of a Pipe Organ.
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May seem a stupid question, but how do you pronounce ‘buoy’? Over here in the UK we don’t say the ‘u’, we just say ‘boy’ (really). Do you say ‘boo-ee’ or have I got that wrong?
Just in case I’m ever back visiting Gloucester and have a conversation about buoys down on the dock…
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Hi Stu, we certainly hope you come back to Gloucester (MA, not England) to visit again, and when you do, call them boo-ees. And, I don’t believe there are any stupid questions; that’s how we learn. Cheers from Glosta!
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