A buoy tender is a type of vessel used to maintain and replace navigational buoys. This term can also apply to an actual person who does this work. The United States Coast Guard uses buoy tenders to accomplish one of its primary missions of maintaining all U.S. aids to navigation (ATON). The Canadian Coast Guard uses multi-use vessels (most being icebreakers) with tasks including buoy tending.

Types of coast guard buoy tenders

United States Coast Guard Canadian Coast Guard

Other buoy tenders

Many coastal States have buoy tenders to maintain aids to navigation in and around their coastal waters. In the UK, this includes lighthouse authorities, including the Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House who ships maintain buoys as well as acting as lighthouse tenders.