To The Water

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LATERAL SYSTEM (FEDERAL)

The waters of the United States are marked for safe navigation by the lateral system of buoys.

• The system consists of a simple arrangement of colors, shapes, numbers, and light characteristics to show the side on which a buoy should be passed when proceeding in a given direction.
• The characteristics are determined by the position of the buoy with respect to the navigable channels as the channels are entered from seaward. Lateral System buoys correspond to the buoys noted on a nautical chart.
• The expression "red right returning" has long been used by the mariner as a reminder that the red buoys are kept to the boater’s starboard (right) side when proceeding from the open sea into port (upstream).
• Likewise, green buoys are kept to the port (left) side.
• Red buoys are always even numbered.
• Green buoys are odd numbered.
• Red and white vertically striped buoys mark the center of the channel.

Lateral System (As Seen Entering From Seaward)

Port Side Odd Numbered Aids		Green Light Only
Light	Daybeacon	Lighted Buoy	Can

Starboard Side Even Numbered Aids		Red Light Only
Light	Daybeacon	Lighted Buoy	Nun

Preferred Channel To Starboard - Topmost Band Green		Preferred Channel To Port - Topmost Band Red
	Green Light Only	Red Light Only

NAUTICAL CHART

NAUTICAL CHART VISUAL VIEW

NON-LATERAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Dayboards — May Be Lettered The only purpose of these diamond shaped dayboards is to determine location. NOAA charts must be consulted.

Safe Water - No Numbers (May Be Lettered) These aids are used to mark fairways (navigable portion of a river or the main channel), mid-channels, and offshore approach points, and have unobstructed water on all sides. They can also be used by the vessel operator transiting offshore waters to identify the proximity of intended landfall. Lighted/unlighted buoy may show a red topmark

Ranges are a PAIR of aids to navigation. When the dayboards and/or lights appear to be in line with each other, it assists the vessel operator in maintaining a safe course within the navigable channel. The appropriate nautical chart must be consulted when using ranges to determine whether the range marks the centerline of the navigable channel and also what section of the range may be safety traversed. Ranges are generally, but not always, lighted, and display rectangular dayboards of various colors. Ranges, which are lit 24 hours a day, may not have dayboards.

Non-Navigational Aids

Mooring Buoy Mooring Buoys are white with a blue horizontal band. This distinctive color scheme is used to facilitate identification and to avoid confusion with aids to navigation.