A buoy and mooring system provides a robust buoy protective of markings thereon, easily retrieved for inspection and service, weighted and levered for maintaining self-righting, vertical orientation and anchored with a non-corroding system of connectors and links running from surface to sea floor. A mid-line float resists entanglement, and can be installed or uninstalled by operation of various “worm grip” mechanisms. A slack line region accommodates changing tides. An upright tube, weighted at a lower end and flanged at an upper end thereof, secures a buoy in place but pulls up through the buoy for easy retrieval by boat crews. Embedding an anchor is by hydraulic water jet drilling. From a thimble in the anchor to a thimble in the upright at the buoy, no intervening metal components are needed in the load path. Markings are durably and protectively embedded in recesses below the buoy's outer surface.