What is the visual cue for a "lighted buoy" at night?

A lighted buoy provides a crucial navigational aid at night through a specific visual cue that consists of a flash of light, which is often characterized by its color, duration, and frequency. This flash is designed to be distinctive and recognizable to help mariners identify the buoy's position and meaning. The characteristics of the light, such as the interval between flashes or the color used, are standardized so that they convey important information to seafarers.

For example, the color and pattern of the light can indicate the buoy's function, whether it marks a safe passage, a hazard, or helps to delineate navigational channels. This clear visual signal is essential during nighttime navigation when other cues are not visible. In contrast, a constant beam of light without any variation would not provide the same level of information or distinctiveness that a lighted buoy's flash does, and flashes of multiple colors without a discernible pattern could confuse mariners rather than aiding in navigation. Therefore, the flash-specific characteristics are what make the lighted buoy effective as a navigational aid, especially during the dark.