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In the Lateral System, buoys and beacons indicate the sides of the channel or route relative to
a conventional direction of buoyage (usually upstream). They also mark junctions (a point
where two channels meet) or bifurcations (the point where a channel divides). They can also
mark a place where two tributaries meet.
Keep in mind: When navigating along the course of a channel or fairway you should be as
near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway on the starboard side as is safely possible.
There are two main types of Lateral System buoys which are most familiar to boaters
and are standard for international waterways:
Port-Hand Buoys
Port-Hand Buoys are green in colour and mark the left side of a channel or the location of a
specific danger. Port-Hand Buoys must be kept on the left-hand side of your boat when
heading upstream.
Port-Hand Buoys are identified by letter(s) and odd-digit number(s), and in standard
configuration, are flat on the top. In some instances, a Port-Hand Buoy may be fitted with a
top-mark consisting of a single green cylinder.
Port-Hand Buoys may also be fitted with a green light that flashes in either a:
Starboard-Hand buoys
Starboard-Hand Buoys are red in colour and mark the right side of a channel or the location
of a specific danger. Starboard-Hand Buoys must be kept on the right-hand side of your boat
when heading upstream.
Starboard-Hand Buoys are identified by letter(s) and even-digit number(s), and in standard
configuration, are pointed on the top. If they do not have a red light they will be conical on
the top.
Starboard-Hand Buoys may also be fitted with a red light that flashes in either a:
Remember: Opposites attract when heading upstream! Your boat’s green sidelight will
always match up with any red buoy that your boat approaches when heading upstream, and
your red starboard sidelight will always pair with any green buoy that your boat approaches
when heading upstream. Red/green, green/red!
Bifurcation Buoys
Part of the Lateral System, Bifurcation Buoys indicate the junction of two or more channels.
You may pass on either side of these buoys when proceeding upstream but the preferred
channel is indicated by the colour of the topmost band:
Port-Junction Bifurcation Buoys are green in colour with a red horizontal band at the
midsection. Port-Junction Buoys should be kept on the port (left) side of the vessel when
navigating upstream.
Starboard-Junction Bifurcation Buoy
Starboard-Junction Bifurcation Buoys are red in colour with a green horizontal band at the
midsection. Starboard-Junction Buoys should be kept on the starboard (right) side of the
vessel when navigating upstream.
Fairway Buoys
Fairway Buoys are used to mark the entrance to a channel, the centre of a shipping channel or
a safe approach to land. Operators should keep the Fairway Buoy on the left (port) side
whether proceeding upstream or downstream.
Red and white in colour, divided vertically with one red side and one white side
Will have a ball shaped top-mark
May be equipped with a white light that flashes in a Mo(A) sequence–one short flash,
followed by one long flash repeated ten times per minute