Lateral MarkIALA System
Starboard Hand Mark
Identification guide and characteristics for safe navigation.
Used to indicate the starboard (right) side of a channel when travelling in the direction of buoyage. Under IALA Region A, these marks are Green. Under IALA Region B, they are Red.
👁️ Visual Characteristics
Color Scheme
Green (Region A) / Red (Region B)
Topmark
Single Green Cone point upward
Buoy Shape
Conical, Pillar, or Spar
💡 Night Identification (Light)
Color of Light
Green (Region A) / Red (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.