Navigation General · Aids to Navigation — IALA Regions
The principal difference between IALA Region A and Region B buoyage is the:
- AShape of all buoys
- BUse of sound signals
- CColor convention for lateral marks (port/starboard hand)✓ Correct
- DHeight of lighthouses
Explanation
In Region B (the Americas, Japan, Korea, Philippines) 'red right returning' applies—red marks the starboard side entering from seaward. Region A reverses the lateral colors. Cardinal, safe-water, isolated-danger, and special marks are the same in both regions.
Authority: IALA Maritime Buoyage System
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