IALA Maritime Buoyage System

An international organization that promotes safe and efficient navigation by harmonizing aids to navigation worldwide.

Established to standardize buoyage systems and reduce confusion for mariners.

A system that distinguishes navigation marks by their shape, color, topmark, and light characteristics.

Marks that outline the edges of a channel, guiding vessels through safe waters.

Marks that indicate hazards and suggest safe passage around them.

Marks that warn of danger to shipping in an area.

Marks that signify the end of a channel and the presence of safe, deeper water ahead.

Marks that indicate specific areas or features within a waterway.

Marks that define a channel, indicating the port and starboard sides to follow into a waterway.

A cylindrical or pillar-shaped buoy indicating the port side of a channel. Vessels should keep these to their left.

A conical or pillar-shaped buoy indicating the starboard side of a channel. Vessels should keep these to their right.

Used to indicate a preferred channel (often deeper) in a channel split.

A channel designated as the preferred route within a split channel – usually suitable for large vessels.

A channel less suitable for large vessels, often narrower or shallower, branching off from a preferred channel.

A red horizontal band on a modified lateral mark indicates a preferred channel to starboard.

A green horizontal band on a modified lateral mark indicates a preferred channel to port.

A specific type of flashing light rhythm used to indicate a preferred channel.

A specific type of flashing light rhythm used to indicate a lateral mark.

Buoys with a yellow color, optional shape, single yellow 'X' topmark and yellow light (if fitted) with a rhythm different from cardinal, isolated danger and safe water marks.

Buoys made from polyethylene offer several advantages, including increased durability, lighter weight for easier deployment, low maintenance requirements, and eco-friendly qualities. They are also recyclable, making them a sustainable choice for marine applications.

Green lateral marks indicate the preferred channel to starboard (right) for a vessel, while red lateral marks indicate the preferred channel to port (left) for a vessel.

For lateral marks in Region B of the IALA buoyage system, green marks are cylindrical (can) shaped, while red marks are conical (cone) shaped. Both can also be pillar or spar shaped.

A single green cylinder (can) topmark is used for green lateral marks in Region B of the IALA buoyage system. A single red cone, point upwards, is used for red lateral marks.

Lateral marks with a composite group flashing light rhythm (2 + 1) indicate the preferred channel for a vessel to starboard (right), colored green with a red horizontal band. Lateral marks with a composite group flashing light rhythm (2 + 1) indicating the preferred channel to port (left) are colored red with a green horizontal band.

Cardinal marks can be used to guide vessels safely around hazards. They are distinguished by their shape, color, topmark, and light characteristics. They indicate the direction of safe passage, as well as the direction and location of the hazard in relation to the cardinal directions (N, E, S, W).

Cardinal marks are designed to be unique and easy to recognize using a combination of color, shape, top marks, and light characteristics.

Cardinal marks are named after the quadrant (North, East, South, or West) in which they are placed. This helps determine the safe side based on their location and the compass.

Cardinal marks are used to provide sailors with information about the safest route in a specific area. This can include indicating the deepest water on one side of the mark, the safe side to pass a danger, or highlighting features in a channel.

The North Cardinal Mark has a black top with a yellow band, while the East Cardinal Mark has a black top with a single broad horizontal yellow band. Both have black and yellow colors.

The South Cardinal Mark has a yellow top with a black band, while the West Cardinal Mark has a yellow top with a single broad horizontal black band. Both have black and yellow colors.

The topmark of a Cardinal Mark indicates the safe side of the mark. It is a visual cue for sailors to follow.

The North Cardinal Mark has two black cones pointed upwards, the South Cardinal Mark has two black cones pointed downwards, while the East and West Cardinal Marks have two cones base to base.

A buoy that serves as a navigation aid, often equipped with a solar-powered marine lantern (SLC420) to provide visibility at night.

A type of marine lantern designed for use on buoys, powered by solar energy.

A company specializing in marine navigation aids, including buoys and lanterns.