LATERAL MARKS - REGION B

Hello guys, today we will focus on another part of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System article.You may remember that in the previous section we talked about the lateral mark in Region A, today we will talk about the lateral mark in Region B.

LATERAL MARKS - REGION B 

This diagram is schematic and in the case of pillar buoys in particular, their features will vary with the individual design of the buoys in use.

PORT HAND 

Colour: Green. 

Shape: Can, pillar or spar. 

Topmark (when fitted): Single green can. 

Retroreflector: Green band or square.

STARBOARD HAND 

Colour: Red. 

Shape: Conical, pillar or spar. 

Topmark (when fitted): Single red cone, point upward. 

Retroreflector: Red band or triangle.

LIGHTS, when fitted, may have any rhythm other than composite group flashing (2+1) used on modified Lateral marks indicating a preferred channel. Examples are:

The lateral colours of red or green are frequently used for minor shore lights, such as those marking pierheads and the extremities of jetties.

PREFERRED CHANNELS 

At the point where a channel divides, when proceeding in the conventional direction of buoyage, a preferred channel is indicated by

Preferred channel to starboard 

Colour: Green with one broad red band. 

Shape: Can, pillar or spar. 

Topmark (when fitted): Single green can. 

Retroreflector: Green band or square.

Preferred channel to port 

Colour: Red with one broad green band. 

Shape: Conical, pillar or spar. 

Topmark (when fitted): Single red cone point upward. 

Retroreflector: Red band or triangle.

NOTES

Where port or starboard marks do not rely on can or conical buoy shapes for identification, they carry the appropriate topmark where practicable. If marks at the sides of a channel are numbered or lettered, the numbering or lettering follows the conventional direction of buoyage. Special marks, with can and conical shapes but painted yellow, may be used in conjunction with the standard Lateral marks for special types of channel marking.

Around the British Isles the General Direction of the Buoyage runs N along the W coast and through the Irish Sea; E through the English Channel and N through the 3 North Sea.

On Admiralty charts, the Conventional Direction of Buoyage may be indicated by magenta arrow symbol. In some straits (eg. Menai Strait and The Solent) and the open sea (eg. off the Irish coast at Malin Head), where the direction changes, attention is drawn to its reversal by magenta arrow symbols confronting each other.

 On many coasts and in some straits, world-wide, buoyage authorities have not yet established or promulgated General Directions of Buoyage, so it is not possible to chart the magenta symbol. This could be hazardous if a New Danger were to be marked by Lateral buoys.

Preferred Channels

 At the point where a channel divides, when proceeding in the Conventional Direction of Buoyage, to form two alternative channels to the same destination, the Preferred Channel is indicated by a modified Lateral mark. The System does not provide for a Preferred Channel mark where the two channels join.

Colours

Red and green are the colours reserved for Lateral marks. 

Topmarks 

Port-hand marks carry can-shaped topmarks, and starboard-hand marks carry conical topmarks.

Lights 

Red and green lights are used for Lateral marks. Lateral marks for certain purposes have specified rhythms: Composite Group Flashing (2+1) for Preferred Channel marks; Quick or Very Quick for New Danger marks. Other Lateral marks may have lights of any rhythm. 

Sequence 

If marks at the sides of a channel are numbered or lettered, the sequence follows the conventional direction of buoyage. 

Special marks 

Can and cone shapes coloured yellow may be used as Special marks in conjunction with the Lateral marks for special types of channel marking,

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