Lateral marks indicate the port and starboard sides of a channel or fairway in the conventional direction of buoyage.
Region A (used through Europe, Africa, most of Asia and Australia):
- Port-hand mark: red, usually can or cylindrical, red light if lit
- Starboard-hand mark: green, usually conical, green light if lit
Region B (used in the Americas, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines):
- Port-hand mark: green, usually can or cylindrical, green light if lit
- Starboard-hand mark: red, usually conical or nun, red light if lit
The essential point is the direction of buoyage. In many approaches it is from seaward toward harbour, but rivers, estuaries and local systems may define it differently on the chart.
Εδώ εμφανίζεται διαδραστική 3D απεικόνιση. Το ίδιο περιεχόμενο περιγράφεται στο κείμενο του κανόνα.
Buoyage Reading Order
Read the mark in a fixed order: topmark, colour pattern, light rhythm, charted meaning, then the safe side or action required.
Confirm the conventional direction of buoyage from the chart or pilotage plan before deciding port-hand or starboard-hand treatment.
Treat every mark as one aid among several.
Cross-check with charted depth, position, radar, visual bearings and the planned track.
Exam Focus
For cardinals, use the cones first, then the colour bands, then the flash mnemonic.
If those three agree, the answer is usually secure.
For lateral marks, the region only changes the colours, not the core idea: the mark still identifies the side of the channel in the conventional direction of buoyage.
Βασικά σημεία
Region A means red to port when returning from seaward; Region B means red to starboard
The region changes the colours but not the idea that the marks identify the channel sides
Can-type marks identify one side and conical-type marks identify the other
Always confirm the conventional direction of buoyage on the chart or pilotage information
Συνηθισμένα λάθη
Memorizing colours without first checking the direction of buoyage
Assuming every river or harbour approach uses the same seaward reference without chart confirmation
Δοκιμάστε τις γνώσεις σας
Δοκιμάστε τις γνώσεις σας και αποδείξτε την κυριαρχία.