Lateral Buoy System
What is a lateral buoy system?
Lateral buoys system play a crucial role as reliable navigational aids, effectively delineating the pathway and indicating the specific port and starboard sides of the navigation route that leads into a waterway.
The presence of both starboard and port navigation buoys mark the pathway and indicate the specific sides of the navigation route leading into the waterway.
Let's explore how this system works:
Port lateral buoy (mark)
A port hand buoy is on the left side of the channel when heading upstream.
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A port hand buoy marks the port (left) side of a channel, or where a danger is located;
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Must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream;
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Is green;
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If the buoy has a light, the color of the light is green;
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Top is flat;
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If it is numbered, it bears an odd number;
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Displays identification letter(s);
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Can be shaped as: cans, spars or pillars.
Starboard lateral buoy (mark)
A starboard hand buoy is on the right side of the channel when heading upstream.
- A starboard hand buoy marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or where a danger is located.
- It must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream direction.
- It is coloured red.
- If the starboard buoy has a light, the color of the light is red.
- Its top is cone-shaped
- If it is numbered, it bears an even number.
