SkipperThe world uses two buoyage systems, IALA Region A and IALA Region B. Only the lateral marks differ. Everything else is the same.
The difference: lateral marks
Lateral marks show the sides of a channel, seen in the direction of buoyage. That direction is usually from seaward into a harbour or river.
| Region A | Region B | |
|---|---|---|
| Port hand mark | Red, can shape, red light | Green, can shape, green light |
| Starboard hand mark | Green, cone shape, green light | Red, cone shape, red light |
The shapes stay the same in both regions: a can to port, a cone to starboard. Only the colours and light colours swap. In Region B, sailors remember "red right returning": keep red marks on your right as you come in from sea.
Which countries use Region A or B?
Region B covers North, Central and South America, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Region A covers most of the rest of the world, including the UK, Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and most of Asia.
The same in both regions
- Cardinal marks: yellow and black, showing the safe side of a danger.
- Isolated danger marks: black with red bands, two black spheres on top.
- Safe water marks: red and white vertical stripes, one red sphere on top.
- Special marks: yellow, with a yellow X on top.
- Emergency wreck marks: blue and yellow vertical stripes, with an upright yellow cross on top.
Why it matters on a charter
If you trained in the UK and charter in the Caribbean or the USA, the channel marks are the other way round. Check the region before you enter a harbour at night.
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