When returning from sea, a red navigational buoy should be passed on your port (left) side. This is in accordance with the IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) buoyage system, which dictates that red buoys mark the starboard side of a channel when entering from the sea. Thus, keeping the red buoy to your left ensures safe navigation.
port / left side
Starboard (right) side
port / left side
port / left side
Always kept on the starboard side
Always kept on the starboard side
Always kept on the port side
The green buoy should be on the left (port) side of the boat as you are entering port.
When returning from sea, the red navigational buoy should be passed on the port side (left side) of the vessel. This is consistent with the IALA buoyage system, where red buoys indicate the right side of the channel when heading upstream or returning to port. Following this guideline helps ensure safe navigation and avoids potential hazards.
In Region A it is a starboard hand buoy, in Region B it is a port hand buoy. These are lateral marks and in some areas the shape of the buoy cannot be relied upon.
left
When returning from sea, a free navigational buoy should be passed on the port side (left side) of the vessel. This is in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which dictate that vessels should keep buoys to their port side when navigating in a seaward direction. This ensures safe passage and adherence to maritime navigation rules.