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IALA A Buoyage revision module 2 of 5

LAT

Lateral and Preferred Channel Marks

Region A port, starboard, preferred-channel-to-port, and preferred-channel-to-starboard marks by colour, shape, and pass side.

port-hand marksstarboard-hand marks

8 guided lessons · 10 practice questions · 10 flashcards

3 outcomes · self-guided revision
  • Use the charted conventional direction of buoyage to identify Region A port- and starboard-hand marks and state what each mark defines without turning it into an automatic helm order.
  • Combine body colour, shape or topmark, light colour, complete rhythm and charted position to distinguish an ordinary Region A lateral mark from a preferred-channel mark.
  • Separate a lateral mark's channel-side meaning from the depth, clearance, traffic and route evidence needed for a vessel-specific pilotage decision.

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Lesson previewRegion A Lateral Marks1 section shown

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Region A Lateral Marks

Lateral marks are positioned in relation to a conventional direction of buoyage and identify the port and starboard sides of a route or channel. In Region A, the port-hand mark is red and the starboard-hand mark is green when proceeding in that established direction.

The local direction must come from the applicable current chart or competent-authority information. The general seaward-to-harbour or upstream pattern is useful orientation, but the boat's present heading, the tidal stream and a remembered word such as 'inbound' cannot settle every bend, junction or locally defined waterway.

When travelling in the conventional direction, a port-hand mark is left to port and a starboard-hand mark to starboard. That describes the channel-side relationship; it does not say that the safest track is a straight line midway between every pair of buoys or that close passage to the mark is required.

Recognition and action remain separate. Confirm the mark from position, colour, shape or topmark, light and sequence, then use depth, hazards, traffic, local directions and the vessel's needs to choose a track within the charted route.

Region A identityDaylight cuesIn the conventional directionStill establish
Port-hand lateral markRed; cylindrical/can, pillar or spar; red can topmark if fittedDefines the port side; leave the mark to portLocal direction, charted route, depth, traffic and passing margin
Starboard-hand lateral markGreen; conical, pillar or spar; green cone point-up topmark if fittedDefines the starboard side; leave the mark to starboardLocal direction, charted route, depth, traffic and passing margin

Optional quick check

Section 1 of 1

The boat is angled across a Region A channel while the tide runs outward. What decides whether a red buoy is a port-hand mark?

Choose one answer
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