spar-buoy

A spar-buoy marks the safe channel in the harbor.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of floating marker: In maritime contexts, a "spar-buoy" is a long, slender buoy that is anchored in place and used to mark channels, hazards, or specific locations in the water. It is typically made of a single spar (a pole or beam) and may have a small float at the top or bottom to keep it upright.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The navigator used the spar-buoy to guide the ship safely through the narrow channel. (A slender floating marker indicating a safe path.)
  • A broken spar-buoy drifted aimlessly after the storm, no longer anchored to the seabed. (A buoy that was damaged and lost its position.)

Advanced Usage

• "to anchor a spar-buoy": to secure a spar-buoy to the bottom of a body of water.

  • The crew carefully anchored the spar-buoy near the reef to warn other boats. (They fixed the buoy in place to serve as a warning marker.)

• "spar-buoy system": a network of such buoys used for navigation or research.

  • The harbour authority installed a spar-buoy system to delineate the shipping lanes. (A series of slender buoys marking the safe routes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Spar (n): a thick, strong pole, especially one used as a mast or beam on a ship.

  • The ship’s spar broke during the gale. (The wooden pole used to support sails broke.)

• Buoy (n): a floating object anchored in place to mark a location or hazard.

  • The red buoy indicates the left side of the channel. (A floating marker for navigation.)

Synonyms

• Marker buoy: a buoy used to indicate a position or hazard.
• Channel buoy: a buoy specifically marking a navigable channel.
• Pole buoy: a general term for a buoy that is long and slender like a pole.

Related Idioms