Lateral MarkIALA System
Port Hand Mark
Identification guide and characteristics for safe navigation.
Used to indicate the port (left) side of a channel when travelling in the direction of buoyage. Under IALA Region A, these marks are Red. Under IALA Region B (Americas, Japan, Korea, Philippines), they are Green.
👁️ Visual Characteristics
Color Scheme
Red (Region A) / Green (Region B)
Topmark
Single Red Can
Buoy Shape
Cylindrical (Can), Pillar, or Spar
💡 Night Identification (Light)
Color of Light
Red (Region A) / Green (Region B)
Light Rhythm
Any rhythm other than Composite Group Flashing (2+1)
IALA Regions
The world is divided into two IALA regions (A and B). While Cardinal, Isolated Danger, Safe Water, and Special marks are the same globally, Lateral Marks have different color conventions depending on the region.
- Region A: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Gulf and some Asian countries.
- Region B: Americas, Japan, South Korea, Philippines.