1. Buoyage systems and types of buoys
Lateral system is subdivided into two separate systems: the IALA – A system and IALA – B system
IALA _ International Association Lighthouse Authorities

2. Types of Buoy Lateral Mark
Used to denote a channel or the extremities of a channel
Cardinal Mark
Denotes extremities of a hazard.
Isolated Danger Mark
Marks a danger of limited horizontal extent
Special Mark
Denotes special areas; recreation, outfalls, channel with a channel etc.
Safe Water Mark
Navigationally significant safe water; TSS, Landfall buoys

3. Buoy Shapes
Spar
Pillar
Sphere
Can
Cone
Barrel

4. Direction of Buoyage Clockwise round continents and into rivers.
Cans to Port and cones to starboard.
There are two buoyage regions, A and B

5. Buoyage Regions Region A Europe, Africa, Most of Asia, Australia
Port Buoys are Red, Starboard Buoys are Green
Region B
North and South America, Japan, Korea, Philippines
Port Buoys are Green, Starboard Buoys are Red
This effects lateral marks and special marks, and for this reason we deal with the shape of the buoy not the colour.
Remember CANS to PORT, CONES to STARBOARD

6. Port Hand Lateral Marks (A)
Can Be Spar, Pillar or Can
Top Mark is a single, red can
Red Light
Rhythm is any except 2+1

7. Starboard Hand Lateral Marks (A)
Can Be Spar, Pillar or Cone
Top Mark is a single, green cone
Green Light
Rhythm is any except 2+1

8. Preferred channel to Starboard (A)
Same as Port lateral mark but with green band
Top Mark is a single, red can
Red Light
Rhythm is 2+1

9. Preferred Channel to Port (A)
Same as STBD lateral mark but with red band
Top Mark is a single, green cone
Green Light
Rhythm is 2+1

10. Port Hand Lateral Marks (B)
Can Be Spar, Pillar or Can
Top Mark is a single, green can
Green Light
Rhythm is any except 2+1

11. Starboard Hand Lateral Marks (B)
Can Be Spar, Pillar or Cone
Top Mark is a single, red cone
Red Light
Rhythm is any except 2+1

12. Preferred channel to Starboard (B)
Same as Port lateral mark but with red band
Top Mark is a single, green can
Green Light
Rhythm is 2+1

13. Preferred Channel to Port (B)
Same as STBD lateral mark but with green band
Top Mark is a single, red cone
Red Light
Rhythm is 2+1

14. Cardinal marks are used to indicate safe side on which to pass danger

15. North Cardinal Mark Black/Yellow Two Cones Apexes pointing up
Safe Water lies to the North of the buoy
White Light
Rhythm – continuous flashing

16. East Cardinal Mark Black/Yellow/Black Two Cones bases together
Safe Water lies to the East of the buoy
White Light
Rhythm – 3 flashes
Q 10s, VQ 5s

17. South Cardinal Mark Yellow/Black Two Cones Apexes pointing down
Safe Water lies to the South of the buoy
White Light
Rhythm – 6 quick + 1 long flash
Quick in 15s or Very Quick in 10s

18. West Cardinal Mark Yellow/Black/Yellow Two Cones apexes together
Safe Water lies to the West of the buoy
White Light
Rhythm – 9 flashes
Q 15s, VQ 10s

19. New Dangers Cardinal Marks are doubled-up for new dangers.
Racon (D) is sometimes fitted to the buoy.

20. Isolated Danger Mark Black/Red Stripes
Two black spheres in a vertical line
White Light
Group Flash (2)
Safe Navigable water all around (erected on or moored above the danger)

21. Safe Water Marks Red and white vertical stripes. Red Sphere
White Light
Morse A
Long Flash every 10s
Occulting
Isophase
Navigable water al around the mark e.g mid channel , landfall mark

22. Special Marks Yellow buoy of any shape Yellow St. Andrews Cross
Can and cone shaped marks to be treated as lateral marks.
Yellow Light
Any Rhythm not used for a white light
Indicates special features in fairway that can be looked up in pilot book

23. ODAS Buoys Ocean Data Acquisition System Spherical Buoy Marked “ODAS”
No Topmark
Yellow Light
5 flashes every 20 seconds
O D A S

24. Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy
Yellow and Blue vertical stripes
Yellow vertical cross
Signifies New Wrecks
Yellow and Blue alternating flashing light.
Each flash lasts for 1s with 0.5s interval

25. Retro-reflective Tape
Buoys are fitted with retro-reflective tape to aid identification.
Lateral Marks
Preferred Channel
Regions A & B
North Cardinal
Special Mark
East Cardinal
Isolated Danger Mark
South Cardinal
West Cardinal
Safe Water Mark