Apparatus and methods for restoring buoyancy to a buoy, such as a cylindrical regulatory buoy, which has an intended waterline. A buoyant body generally of ring configuration includes an axial central aperture and has a buoyant body inside diameter corresponding to the diameter of a cylindrical portion of the buoy. The buoyant body is attached to the buoy generally in the vicinity of or below the intended waterline, with the buoy cylindrical portion extending through the central aperture of the buoyant body.