What does buoy lettering typically display?

Buoy lettering typically displays numbers or letters, which serve to identify buoys and provide important navigational information to mariners. These identifiers help boaters differentiate one buoy from another, which is crucial for safe navigation. Each buoy in a waterway will have its unique letter or number according to a standardized system, enabling navigators to refer to charted information or local guides accurately. This system is particularly helpful in areas with many buoys, as it allows for quick recognition and confirmation of a vessel’s location relative to buoys and other navigation markers.

The other choices relate to aspects of buoys but do not pertain specifically to the purpose of buoy lettering. Color codes help convey the type of buoy (e.g., lateral or cardinal); size specifications inform about the buoy’s physical dimensions but do not affect navigation details; and material information pertains to construction rather than navigation. Thus, the correct focus for identifying what buoy lettering typically displays is on the numbers or letters themselves.