Construction Information for Pipe-style Hazard Marker Buoys

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To manufacture one marker buoy, the following materials are required:

1. A white 10 ft. P VC 4 inch pipe.
2. Two white 4 inch PVC end caps
3. One 6 inch small 3/8 inch eye bolt
4. Two 3/8 inch nuts and two 3/8 inch washers
5. PVC glue
6. A 3 inch security snap (see diagram step 2) of ¼ inch diameter steel
7. 8 to 10 feet of ¾ inch link chain
8. 1/3 of a 66 lb bag of sand mix cement
9. A 8 inch deep and 8 inch diameter disposable plastic flower pot (or similar)
10. A 3 ft. roll of 1 inch reflective orange adhesive tape

Tools Required:

1. Measuring Tape
2. Suitable saw for cutting PVC pipe
3. Wrench or pliers to secure nuts on bolts
4. Container and shovel to mix cement
5. Cutter to cut orange tape
6. Drill and 3/8 inch bit

Step 1

Cut off the female receiver end of the PVC pipe…approx. 6 inches
Cut the remaining 9ft.6inch PVC pipe in 3 equal lengths

Step 2

Drill a 3/8 inch hole in the centre of one of the caps. Place a 3/8 inch nut, then washer down the full length of the 6 inch X 3/8 inch eye bolt
Insert eye bolt into cap with eye facing out. Add a drop of PVC glue where washer meets the cap. (see diagram at right)
Place a 3/8 inch washer and nut on the bolt and secure the bolt to the inside of the cap.

Step 3

Using the PVC glue secure the cap with bolt to one end of the cut length PVC pipe and let stand 5 minutes.
Secure an 8 foot or 10 foot chain to the bolt with security snap.

Step 4

Place pipe with chain in 4 feet of water in an upright position with open end up.
Using dry sand or sand mix, add it to the upright open end of the pipe until the pipe stands vertically on it’s own in the water.
Note: do not over fill. 15 inches to 18 inches of pipe should be exposed above the water line. This may require a helper.
Dump the sand into a small plastic pail. This is the weight of cement required to mix and place in the pipe.

Step 5

Assuming more than one marker buoy will be manufactured, it is recommended that a balance arm be made.
Using an 8 foot 2 x 4, drill a 3/8 inch hole in the middle and a hole 1 inch from each end. (see diagram at right)
Using a spike through the middle hole, spike the arm 6 feet off the ground to a tree. Using coat hanger wire make hanger hooks at each end.

Step 6

Hang the plastic pail with sand dumped from the tube at one end of the balance. Remove chain from bottom of the pipe. Drill a ¼ inch hole ½ inch down from the open end of the pipe and hook the hanger wire through the hole at the other end of the balance arm.

Step 7

Prepare to mix cement for both the anchor and marker buoy. The 8 inch flower pot can be used several times if a plastic bag is placed in it to receive the cement. One 66 lb bag of sand mix cement will be enough for 4 buoys and 2 anchors or 3 anchors. Mix cement to a sloppy consistency. Using a trowel add cement to the open end of the tube until it balances off the pail of sand at the other end. Remove the pipe and make sure that all the cement is at the bottom by gently bouncing the tube on the ground without damaging the eye bolt. Add cement to the flower pot and place 4 inches or 5 inches of one end of the chain securely down into the cement. This will be the buoy anchor. After 24 hours turn the pot upside down and gently remove the cement anchor from the pot.

Step 8

Keeping the PVC pipe upright, glue the top cap into the pipe.
Allow the pipe to stand 24 hours.

Step 9

Cut the 1 inch reflective tape to 1 inch longer than the circumference of the pipe.
Place the top ring of tape just below the bottom of the top cap. Cut out a triangular template 5 inches square.
Using the template mark the corner positions of the triangle between the two rings on 2 sides of the pipe.
Cut the 1 inch reflective tape in ½ inch strips to make the triangle. (see diagram at right)

Step 10

Attach chain to eye bolt using security snap and place your new marker buoy in 4ft to 5ft of water close to the hazard you are marking.

Notes:

Using the balance arm place the measured sand weight at one end, hang an empty plastic pail at the other. Using sand mix cement, fill the empty pail to an equal weight. You will now have a permanent measured weight for future use.

USE of Marker Buoys:

When a shoal is linear, place a buoy at either end. If triangular, place 3 buoys and a cluster shoal may require 4 or more.

The MLA purchases all the material except the reflective tape at the Rona in Carleton Place.

The reflective tape is purchased in a roll 15 inches wide from - Screen Tek of Carleton Place – 613 229-4342 Brody Dulmage

If you require further information please contact Peter Elliott at 613 – 257-5362 or

Email: Peter Elliott