A non-lateral aid with a red spherical top mark helps in identifying which type of ATON?

The non-lateral aid with a red spherical top mark is specifically identified as a safe water mark. Safe water marks are used to indicate that there is navigable water all around the buoy. The red spherical top mark visually distinguishes them from other types of aids to navigation, serving as a clear signal for mariners. These marks can also denote the entrance to a channel or allow safe passage through an otherwise shallow area. The color red is traditionally used in conjunction with these marks to indicate their purpose, which further reinforces their role in navigation safety.

In contrast, the other options present different types of aids or obstructions which do not share the same characteristics. For instance, hazard buoys typically feature a different color combination and shapes intended to indicate danger rather than safe navigation routes. Channel markers, on the other hand, are designed to guide vessels safely through established channels, but they do not carry the same meaning as a safe water mark. Moored vessels are not aids to navigation and do not possess the features that define a safe water mark. Understanding these distinctions helps in recognizing the key role safe water marks play in maritime navigation.