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Most boaters have learned the phrase RED RIGHT RETURNING to remind them that the red navigation aids are to be kept on the starboard (right) side of the boat when returning to harbor from the sea. But what about the marks for the intracoastal waterway? These can be quite confusing and in Florida it is essential knowledge.

What is the Intracoastal Waterway?

It starts in New Jersey and proceeds in a generally southerly direction down the east coast to Florida. It continues in a clockwise direction up the west coast of Florida and around the Gulf of Mexico to Texas. It generally lies in sheltered waters between barrier islands and the mainland, in river estuaries, and an occasional stretch in the open sea.

When travelling along the ICW the red marks are kept on the starboard (right) side when going in a clockwise direction around the coast. You can also think of it as red towards the mainland and green towards the ocean no matter which way you are going, but this can be less than obvious when piloting in complex inlets.
Navigational aids on the ICW carry yellow bands to differentiate them from other channel marks.
Now the confusing part:
Often, navigational aids have a dual purpose. When the ICW crosses a channel entering a port from the ocean,
the aids at the junction mark both channels.
If you are travelling on the ICW and see an aid with dual markings then you must use the yellow marks regardless of the color of the aid on which they are displayed. So if you are going in a clockwise direction you keep the yellow triangles on your right and the yellow squares on your left.
In the diagram the main color of the navigational aids are appropriate for the sea channel,
RED RIGHT RETURNING.

Travelling along the ICW you will see a red buoy #6 with a yellow square. It must be on your left. You will also see red buoy #8 with a yellow triangle. It must be kept to your right. Similarly, you will see green Buoy #5 with a yellow square to be kept to your left and green buoy # 7 with a yellow triangle which must be kept right.

In other words, use the yellow marks on the ICW.

Got it? Good!

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