Lateral mark: Difference between revisions
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Marks are distinguished by their shape and colour, being red or green. | Marks are distinguished by their shape and colour, being red or green. | ||
For historical reasons, two different schemes are in use worldwide, differing in their use of colour. Previously there had been 30 different buoyage systems, before IALA rationalised the system. In 1980 on a conference convened by IALA, they agreed to adopt the rules of a new combined system, which combined the previous two systems (A and B) into one system, with two regions (A and B).<ref> | For historical reasons, two different schemes are in use worldwide, differing in their use of colour. Previously there had been 30 different buoyage systems, before IALA rationalised the system. In 1980 on a conference convened by IALA, they agreed to adopt the rules of a new combined system, which combined the previous two systems (A and B) into one system, with two regions (A and B).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=R1001 The IALA Maritime Buoyage System |url=https://www.iala.int/product/r1001/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities}}</ref> | ||
The IALA defines them as '''Region A''' and '''Region B''': | The IALA defines them as '''Region A''' and '''Region B''': | ||
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* comprises [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and most of [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]], as well as [[Greenland]]. | * comprises [[Europe]], [[Africa]], and most of [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]], as well as [[Greenland]]. | ||
* port marks are '''red''' and may have a '''red''' flashing light of any | * port marks are '''red''' and may have a '''red''' flashing light of any [[light characteristic]] except composite group flashing 2+1 (having abbreviation "Fl(2+1)").<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=R0110 – Rhythmic Characters of Lights on Aids to Navigation |url=https://www.iala.int/product/r0110/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities}}</ref> | ||
* starboard marks are '''green''' and may have a '''green''' flashing light of any | * starboard marks are '''green''' and may have a '''green''' flashing light of any light characteristic except "Fl(2+1)".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | ||
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=== Region B === | === Region B === | ||
* comprises [[the Americas]], [[Japan]], [[Korea|South Korea]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Pub 120, Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia|date=2015|publisher=National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, USA|edition=Twelfth}}</ref> the [[Philippines]], [[Taiwan]],<ref>{{cite web|title=International Maritime Buoyage System|url=http://gunsan.mof.go.kr/eng/content/view.do?menuKey=709&contentKey=2301|website=Port of Gunsan|publisher=Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries|accessdate=9 May 2018|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080531/http://gunsan.mof.go.kr/eng/content/view.do?menuKey=709&contentKey=2301|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Hawaii]], and [[Easter Island]]. | * comprises [[the Americas]], [[Japan]], [[Korea|South Korea]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Pub 120, Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia|date=2015|publisher=National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, USA|edition=Twelfth}}</ref> the [[Philippines]], [[Taiwan]],<ref>{{cite web|title=International Maritime Buoyage System|url=http://gunsan.mof.go.kr/eng/content/view.do?menuKey=709&contentKey=2301|website=Port of Gunsan|publisher=Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries|accessdate=9 May 2018|archive-date=9 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509080531/http://gunsan.mof.go.kr/eng/content/view.do?menuKey=709&contentKey=2301|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Hawaii]], and [[Easter Island]]. | ||
* port marks are '''green''' and may have a '''green''' flashing light of any | * port marks are '''green''' and may have a '''green''' flashing light of any light characteristic except "Fl(2+1)".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | ||
* starboard marks are '''red''' and may have a '''red''' flashing light of any | * starboard marks are '''red''' and may have a '''red''' flashing light of any light characteristic except "Fl(2+1)".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | ||
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{{legend|#090| Region B is where port is indicated by green lights.}}]] | {{legend|#090| Region B is where port is indicated by green lights.}}]] | ||
Port hand marks are cylindrical (also known as a "can"), pillar or spar in shape. If a top mark is attached it has a cylinder (can) shape.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Starboard hand marks are conical, pillar or spar in shape. If a top mark is attached it has a conical shape with the point facing upwards.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
The shape is an important feature, as colours cannot be distinguished in some light conditions, or by persons with red-green [[colour blindness]]. Marks may also carry unique markings of letters and numbers; these may be used to identify the mark as one indicated on a [[nautical chart]]. Likewise, a mark's light may flash in a distinctive sequence for the same purpose. | The shape is an important feature, as colours cannot be distinguished in some light conditions, or by persons with red-green [[colour blindness]]. Marks may also carry unique markings of letters and numbers; these may be used to identify the mark as one indicated on a [[nautical chart]]. Likewise, a mark's light may flash in a distinctive sequence for the same purpose. | ||
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In Region B only, the phrase "red right returning" may be used as a mnemonic, indicating that a red mark must be kept on the right when ''returning'' to (''i.e.'', entering) a harbour or river. | In Region B only, the phrase "red right returning" may be used as a mnemonic, indicating that a red mark must be kept on the right when ''returning'' to (''i.e.'', entering) a harbour or river. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*[[Cardinal mark]] | *[[Cardinal mark]] | ||
*[[Isolated danger mark]] | *[[Isolated danger mark]] | ||
*[[Light characteristic]] | |||
*[[Safe water mark]] | *[[Safe water mark]] | ||
*[[Special mark]] | *[[Special mark]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:34, 22 July 2025
A lateral buoy, lateral post or lateral mark, as defined by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, is a sea mark used in maritime pilotage to indicate the edge of a channel.
Each mark indicates the edge of the safe water channel in terms of port (left-hand) or starboard (right-hand). These directions are relative to the direction of buoyage; this is usually a nominally upstream direction. In a river, the direction of buoyage is towards the river's source; in a harbour, the direction of buoyage is into the harbour from the sea. Where there may be doubt, it will be labelled on the appropriate chart. Often the cardinal mark system is used instead when confusion about the direction would be common.
A vessel heading in the direction of buoyage (e.g. into a harbour) and wishing to keep in the main channel should:
IALA System
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Marks are distinguished by their shape and colour, being red or green.
For historical reasons, two different schemes are in use worldwide, differing in their use of colour. Previously there had been 30 different buoyage systems, before IALA rationalised the system. In 1980 on a conference convened by IALA, they agreed to adopt the rules of a new combined system, which combined the previous two systems (A and B) into one system, with two regions (A and B).[1]
The IALA defines them as Region A and Region B:
Region A
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- comprises Europe, Africa, and most of Asia and Oceania, as well as Greenland.
- port marks are red and may have a red flashing light of any light characteristic except composite group flashing 2+1 (having abbreviation "Fl(2+1)").[1][2]
- starboard marks are green and may have a green flashing light of any light characteristic except "Fl(2+1)".[1][2]
| File:Lateral system a mark.svg | |
| (Port) (Left) (Red) | (Starboard) (Right) (Green) |
Region B
- comprises the Americas, Japan, South Korea,[3] the Philippines, Taiwan,[4] Hawaii, and Easter Island.
- port marks are green and may have a green flashing light of any light characteristic except "Fl(2+1)".[1][2]
- starboard marks are red and may have a red flashing light of any light characteristic except "Fl(2+1)".[1][2]
| File:Lateral system b mark.svg | |
| (Port) (Left) (Green) | (Starboard) (Right) (Red) |
Both regions
Port hand marks are cylindrical (also known as a "can"), pillar or spar in shape. If a top mark is attached it has a cylinder (can) shape.[1]
Starboard hand marks are conical, pillar or spar in shape. If a top mark is attached it has a conical shape with the point facing upwards.[1]
The shape is an important feature, as colours cannot be distinguished in some light conditions, or by persons with red-green colour blindness. Marks may also carry unique markings of letters and numbers; these may be used to identify the mark as one indicated on a nautical chart. Likewise, a mark's light may flash in a distinctive sequence for the same purpose.
When a channel divides, as for instance a channel to a smaller harbour off a main river, then a preferred channel or bifurcation mark is used. The mark has the same shape and main colour as a port- or starboard- hand mark for the main channel. It bears in addition a horizontal band with the appropriate colour for the smaller channel. For example: region A, main channel straight on, creek leading to marina to port. The buoy where the channels divide would be a red cylindrical can or pillar with a cylindrical top mark. Around the middle would be a green band. In IALA region B the shape would be identical, but the main colour would be green with a red band.[5] See the buoy by the island in the diagram above.
In Region A only, the phrase "Is there any red port left?" (referring to the red colour of the fortified wine "port") may be used as a mnemonic, indicating that a red mark must be kept on the left when "returning" to (i.e., entering) a harbour or river.
In Region B only, the phrase "red right returning" may be used as a mnemonic, indicating that a red mark must be kept on the right when returning to (i.e., entering) a harbour or river.
See also
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- Cardinal mark
- Isolated danger mark
- Light characteristic
- Safe water mark
- Special mark
- Emergency wreck buoy
References
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External links
- A web site of Transport Canada, showing lateral buoys in Region B.
es:Sistema de boyado marítimo IALA it:Segnalamenti marittimi ottici