(1) On the navigable waters of Washington state, marking to assist navigation is accomplished by a lateral system of buoyage for use with nautical charts. The lateral system is used by the United States Coast Guard in the marking of navigable waters of the United States as determined by the United States Coast Guard Commandant. The lateral system may be also used by the state and subdivisions thereof for private aids to navigation only when all applicable permits for private aids to navigation have been approved by the United States Coast Guard and other federal, state, or local authorities.

(2) The USWMS has been developed to provide a means to convey to the small vessel operator, in particular, adequate guidance to indicate safe boating channels by indicating the presence of either natural or artificial obstructions or hazards, marking restricted or controlled areas, and providing directions. The USWMS is suited to use on all waters of Washington state and is designed to satisfy the needs of all types of small vessels. It supplements and is generally compatible with the Coast Guard lateral system of aids to navigation.

(3) The USWMS consists of two categories:

(a) A system of regulatory markers; and

(b) A system of aids to navigation.