Module 16 - Pilotage
IALA Buoyage System — Region A
The UK uses Region A, where port-hand lateral marks are red and starboard-hand lateral marks are green in the direction of buoyage. Region B reverses those lateral colours. Confirm the region and the local conventional direction from the chart rather than applying an 'entering harbour' rhyme to every branch, river or buoyed route.
First classify the family. Lateral marks define channel sides or a preferred branch; cardinal marks show the named compass side of safer water; isolated danger marks a hazard at or near the mark; safe water indicates navigable water around it; and special marks identify an area or feature whose meaning comes from the chart. A new-danger wreck buoy is another distinctive warning to recognise.
Use at least two available cues. Colour can be lost in glare, shape may be hard to see, a topmark may be absent or damaged and a light is visible only at night. Charted position and light characteristic support identification, but a buoy can be moved off station, so keep checking the surrounding geography and depth.
- Confirm buoyage region and charted direction before interpreting lateral sides
- Classify lateral, cardinal, isolated danger, safe water, special or new-danger marking
- Cross-check colour, shape, topmark, light, charted position and context
- Recognition is incomplete until it produces a safe route with depth and traffic margins
| Family | Primary message | Next question |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral | Channel side or preferred branch | What is the direction of buoyage? |
| Cardinal | Safer water lies on the named compass side | What danger or feature is charted? |
| Isolated danger | Danger at or near the mark | What clearance does the chart support? |
| Safe water | Navigable water around the mark | How does it relate to the planned fairway or landfall? |
| Special | Special area or feature | What does the chart or local notice say? |
Optional quick check
Section 5 of 8
What should be checked before using a red lateral mark to decide the passing side?
Continue studying Pilotage
This public lesson is part of Revision Module 16. Full revision access adds the guided Learn, Practise and Test flow, flashcards and revision progress.