Port-hand marks

Port-hand marks are red and the basic shape of the buoy (and topmark when fitted) is cylindrical (a can). Such a mark would be on the port side of a vessel when travelling in the direction of buoyage.

Colour: Red

Shape (buoys): Cylindrical (can), pillar or spar

Topmark (if any): Single red cylinder (can)

Lights

Lights are red (when fitted) and may have any rhythm other than composite group- flashing (2+1). They are used on modified lateral marks to indicate a preferred channel. Examples are:

Starboard-hand marks

Starboard-hand marks are green (occasionally, black may be used) and the basic shape of the buoy (and topmark when fitted) is conical. This mark would be on the starboard side of a vessel when travelling in the direction of buoyage.

Colour: Green

Shape (buoys): Conical(cone), pillar or spar

Topmark (if any): Single green cone point upwards

Lights

Lights are green (when fitted) and may have any rhythm other than composite group-flashing (2 +1). They are usedon modified lateral marks to indicate a preferred channel. Examples are:

When marks are numbered, odd numbers are on the starboard side and even numbers on the port side when travelling in the direction of buoyage. They are numbered from seaward to port.