Module 16 - Pilotage
Lateral Marks
A Region A port-hand mark is red and may be can-shaped or carry a can topmark; a starboard-hand mark is green and may be conical or carry a cone topmark. When lit, each uses its side colour. Numbers or letters may help identify the individual mark, but never rely on a universal odd/even rule where the chart and local system are the authority.
Travelling in the direction of buoyage, leave the port-hand mark to port and the starboard-hand mark to starboard. Travelling against that direction changes which side of the boat the marks appear on, not what the marks mean. Allow for stream, wind, traffic and the fact that the buoy may swing around its sinker.
At a junction, green with one broad red band indicates preferred channel to port; red with one broad green band indicates preferred channel to starboard. If lit, the characteristic is composite group flashing 2+1 in the mark's main colour. 'Preferred' does not guarantee that the other branch is unsafe or that the preferred branch suits this vessel—check depth, hazards and local directions.
Read the main lateral colour first, then the contrasting junction band.
- Region A port hand: red with can shape or topmark when fitted
- Region A starboard hand: green with cone shape or topmark when fitted
- Preferred to port: green-red-green; preferred to starboard: red-green-red
- The charted direction, branch suitability and safe clearance still govern the route
| Region A mark | Day cues | Night cue if lit | Meaning in direction of buoyage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port hand | Red; can shape/topmark when fitted | Red | Marks port side of channel |
| Starboard hand | Green; cone shape/topmark when fitted | Green | Marks starboard side of channel |
| Preferred channel to port | Green with one broad red band | Green Fl(2+1) | Preferred branch lies to port |
| Preferred channel to starboard | Red with one broad green band | Red Fl(2+1) | Preferred branch lies to starboard |
Optional quick check
Section 6 of 8
In Region A, what does a mainly green mark with one broad red horizontal band indicate?
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