---
title: Port and Starboard hand day beacon
description: A port hand day beacon is similar to a port hand lateral buoy. It points out the left side of a preferred channel. It must be kept on the left....
image: https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21118949/courses/pcoc2021/images/hand-day-beacon-hr-2.png
---

![Port and Starboard hand day beacon](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc2021/images/hand-day-beacon-hr-2.png?width=1100&height=619&name=hand-day-beacon-hr-2.png)

## What is a port hand day beacon?

- **A port hand day beacon is** similar to a [port](https://aceboater.com/starboard-port-side-definition) hand lateral buoy.
- It points out the left side of a preferred channel.
- It must be kept on the left when the craft is going [upstream](https://aceboater.com/upstream-downstream-definition). 
- It is a black or green square centered on a white background with a green reflective boarder.
- It has no lights and is visible only during daylight.

![Port hand daybeacon](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc/port-hand-daybeacon.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=port-hand-daybeacon.jpg)

## What is a starboard hand day beacon?

- A **starboard hand day beacon** is similar to a [starboard](https://aceboater.com/en/starboard-port-side-definition) hand lateral buoy.
- It points out the right side of a preferred channel.
- It must be on the right when the craft is going [upstream.](https://aceboater.com/en/upstream-downstream-definition)
- It is a red triangle colored with a white contoured line.
- It has no lights and is visible only during daylight.

![Starboard hand daybeacon](https://21118949.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/21118949/hubfs/courses/pcoc2021/images/starboard-hand-daybeacon.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=starboard-hand-daybeacon.jpg)

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