At Northwest Tidal, the ocean is an integral part of our everyday life. Our waterways are our highways—from ferries to skiffs, pleasure craft to naval vessels, boats of all sizes crisscross our waters without painted lanes or signs. Buoys of all shapes and sizes are essential to ensure safe passage for those who brave our coastlines.
For over 50 years, Northwest Tidal has been the go-to source for buoys, helping keep these vital markers of daily maritime life safe and reliable. Our parent company, Northwest Plastics Ltd., has been a pioneer in the field of plastic buoys, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. All while earning the trust of clients around the world. How can we help you?
Types of Buoys & Floats
Mooring Buoys
We challenge you to find a better mooring buoy. Designed to meet Transport Canada specifications, our buoys take the worry out of inspections. With decades of manufacturing expertise and a time-tested design, Northwest Tidal ensures your buoys stay afloat and your vessels remain securely moored.
 MB 45 |  MB 61 – Hawser |  MB 76 – Hawser |  MB 133 – Hawser | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Ideal for Light Mooring Systems, 40 lbs of Flotation at the Waterline | Ideal for Medium Mooring Systems, 133 lbs of Flotation at the Waterline | Ideal for Heavy Mooring Systems, 261 lbs Flotation at the Waterline. | Ideal for Robust Mooring Systems, 1,322 lbs of Flotation at the Waterline |
| Height | 25″ / 627 mm | 23-1/2″ / 587 mm | 29″ / 737 mm | 42″ / 1,069 mm |
| Diameter | 18″ / 627 mm | 24″ / 610 mm | 30″ / 762 mm | 52-1/2″ / 1,334 mm |
| Wall Thickness | 1/5″ / 5 mm | 1/5″ / 5 mm | 1/4″ / 6 mm | 1/4″ / 6 mm |
| Air Weight | 11 lbs | 16 lbs / 7 kg | 30 lbs / 13 kg | 233 lbs / 106 kg |
| Total Displacement | 112 lbs / 5 kg | 266 lbs / 120 L | 522 lbs / 237 L | 2,645 lbs / 1,200 L |
| Materials Used | Polyethelene, EPS form, galvanized steel | Polyethelene, EPS form | Polyethelene, EPS form | Polyethelene, EPS form, galvanized steel |
Compensation Buoys
Used in offshore and industrial applications, Tidal’s compensation buoys (CB) are manufactured on the West Coast by Northwest Plastics Ltd., an industry leader in compensation buoys. For detailed specification sheets, please contact us.
 CB 680 Standard |  CB 1200 Standard |  CB 1850 Standard |  CB 2500 Standard |  CB 4000 Standard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 46″ / 1171 mm | 42″ / 1,069 mm | 62″ / 1,574 mm | 79″ / 2,006 mm | 115″ / 2,921 mm |
| Diameter | 36″ / 914 mm | 52.5″ / 1,344 mm | 52.5″ / 1,334 mm | 52-1/2″ / 1,334 mm | 59″ / 1,500 mm |
| Total Volume | 1,147 US Gal / 4,340 L | ||||
| Total Buoyancy | 8819 lbs / 4,000 kg | ||||
| Wall Thickness | 1/4“ / 6 mm | 1/4″ / 6 mm | 3/8“ / 9.5 mm | 3/8“ / 9.5 mm | 1/4″ / 6 mm |
| Mooring & Lifting Eye Diameter | 3.5″ / 88.9 mm | ||||
| Air Weight | 77 lbs / 35 kg | 215 lbs / 84 kg | 295 lbs / 134 kg | 359 lbs / 163 kg | 860 lbs / 390 kg |
| Total Displacement | 1,500 lbs / 680 kg | 2,646 lbs / 1,200 L | 4,079 lbs / 1,850 L | 5,512 lbs / 2,500 L | |
| Specifications | Diagram PDF Spec Sheet PDF | Diagram PDF Spec Sheet PDF | Diagram PDF Spec Sheet PDF | Diagram PDF Spec Sheet PDF | Spec Sheet PDF |
Trawl Floats
Lightweight yet durable, trawl floats are used in commercial fishing and marine operations to provide buoyancy for nets and lines, ensuring efficient and reliable performance.
| Tidal Floats | Reference | Type | Diameter (mm) | Buoyancy | Maximum Depth | Working Depth | Hole Size | Colour | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | CA-60/10A | Gill Net Oval | 60W x 110L | 125 gr | 1,000 m | 700 m | 10 mm | Red | 250 bag |
 | N-25/8A | 4″ Round | 100 | 300 gr | 800 m | 560 m | 15 mm | Yellow | 100 bag |
 | N-50/8 | 5″ Round | 135 | 760 gr | 800 m | 560 m | 17 mm | Green | 50 bag |
 | N-90/13A | 8″ Round | 200 | 3,100 gr | 1,300 m | 900 m | 21 mm | Yellow | 10 bag |
 | N-280/8A | 11″ Round | 280 | 8,400 gr | 800 m | 560 m | 24 mm | Yellow | 5 bag |
Frequently Asked Questions
What determines the size of buoy used?
The size of the buoy is determined by two main factors: water depth and who the primary user is. The deeper the water, the heavier the chain mooring is, and a large buoy is needed to support the weight. Hybrid mooring lines made from rope and chain can help mitigate this. When the primary user is a container ship, a large buoy is needed so the buoy can be seen from far away, providing the ship with adequate time to make adjustments. The large buoy also provides a higher focal plane for marine lanterns for nighttime visibility.
How long should my mooring line be?
Ideally, the mooring line is 2 to 3 times the depth of the water at highest high water. This ratio of water depth to mooring line is called scope. A high scope allows for the least hydraulic force to be applied to the anchor block as the buoy is far away from the anchor. However, sometimes this is not practical as the length of the mooring line allows the buoy to move too far away from its anchor position. This movement is referred to as the watch circle. If the watch circle causes the buoy to move too far out of position or for it to hit shore or another floating object, it will need to be reduced. The lower the scope, the more wear on your mooring line and the larger your anchor block should be. Your mooring line must be able to be supported by the buoy selected.
How heavy should my anchor block be?
The size of the anchor block is determined by the buoyancy of the buoy, the type and length of mooring line being used, and the environmental conditions. The anchor block ideally has a submerged weight that is 3 times the buoyancy of the buoy minus the mooring weight. However, this can result in some very large anchor blocks. This is where environmental conditions come into play. If the location allows for a large scope of the mooring line, a smaller anchor block can be used. Also, if the buoy location is sheltered without large swells, the anchor can be made smaller as well.
How do I make sure my buoys are compliant with local regulations?
When installing a buoy, you should make sure you are in compliance with the local regulations. There are often conditions around where you can place a buoy, as well as its size, shape, and colour, depending on the application. You may also be required to provide special decals and reflective tape to the buoy. Our team is available to help you select the right buoy to ensure compliance. You can contact your local Coast Guard or Transportation Agency before purchasing a buoy.
Do you offer customizations?
We would be happy to provide custom-cut lengths, color options, and markings to meet your specific requirements. Let us know what you need and we can work with you to come up with the right solution for your needs.
How do I order?
Fill out our contact page form and let us know what you’re looking for. Our team will contact you with pricing, availability, and next steps.
Do you ship across North America?
Yes, we ship our products throughout North America. Shipping costs and delivery times vary based on location and order size. 📞 Contact us for a quote.
I want to support local, are you a Canadian company?
Northwest Tidal is proudly Canadian 🍁, headquartered on the West Coast in Nanaimo, BC. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been supplying high-quality marine and industrial products to industries across North America, built to withstand the toughest conditions.
What industries do you serve?
We supply high-quality marine, industrial, and heavy-duty equipment for industries including fishing, aquaculture, forestry, construction, and offshore operations.
