Day beacons are usually fixed aids, meaning that they are erected either on land or on a pole or structure permanently erected in water. Day beacons are so named because they are unlighted and, thus, they are visible only during daylight hours.

Port-Hand Day Beacon – Is a fixed aid that marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the vessel’s port side when proceeding upstream or into a harbour. It is marked with a black or green coloured square centered on a white background surrounded by a square-shaped green reflecting border.

Starboard-Hand Day Beacon – Is a fixed aid that marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the vessel’s starboard side when proceeding upstream or into a harbour. It is marked with a red coloured triangle centered on a white background surrounded by a triangle-shaped red reflecting border.

Port-Junction (Bifurcation) Day Beacon – Marks a point where a channel divides. This beacon may be safely passed on either side. If the preferred or main channel is desired, then this day beacon should be kept on the port (left) side of the boat.

Starboard-Junction (Bifurcation) Day Beacon – Marks a point where a channel divides. This beacon may be safely passed on either side. If the preferred or main channel is desired, then this day beacon should be kept on the starboard (right) side of the boat.