![\"Waterway](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2015\/03\/LatealSystemBuoysHeroScaled1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nIn the Lateral Navigation System, buoys and beacons indicate the sides of the channel or route relative to a conventional direction of buoyage (usually upstream). They also mark junctions (a point where two channels meet) or bifurcations (the point where a channel divides). They can also mark a place where two tributaries meet.<\/p>\n
Keep in mind: When navigating along the course of a channel or fairway you should be as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway on the starboard side as is safely possible.<\/p>\n
There are two main types of Lateral System buoys which are most familiar to boaters and are standard for international waterways:<\/strong><\/p>\n In total, there are six types of lateral buoys including:<\/strong><\/p>\n Port-Hand Buoys are\u00a0green\u00a0in colour and mark the\u00a0left side of a channel\u00a0or the\u00a0location of a specific danger. Port-Hand Buoys must be kept on the\u00a0left-hand side\u00a0of your boat when heading upstream.<\/p>\n Port-Hand Buoys are identified by letter(s) and odd-digit number(s), and in standard configuration, are flat on the top. In some instances, a Port-Hand Buoy may be fitted with a top-mark consisting of a single green cylinder.<\/p>\n Port-Hand Buoys may also be fitted with a green light that flashes in either a:<\/p>\n Starboard-Hand Buoys are\u00a0red\u00a0in colour and mark the\u00a0right side of a channel\u00a0or the location of a specific danger. Starboard-Hand Buoys must be kept on the\u00a0right-hand side\u00a0of your boat when heading upstream.<\/p>\n Starboard-Hand Buoys are identified by letter(s) and even-digit number(s), and in standard configuration, are pointed on the top. If they do not have a red light they will be conical on the top.<\/p>\n Starboard-Hand Buoys may also be fitted with a red light that flashes in either a:<\/p>\n Safe Boating Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n Remember: Opposites attract when heading upstream using the lateral navigation system! Your boat\u2019s green sidelight will always match up with any red buoy that your boat approaches when heading upstream, and your red starboard sidelight will always pair with any green buoy that your boat approaches when heading upstream. Red\/green, green\/red!<\/p>\n Part of the Lateral System, Bifurcation Buoys indicate the junction of two or more channels. You may pass on either side of these buoys when proceeding upstream but the preferred channel is indicated by the colour of the topmost band:<\/p>\n Port-Junction <\/strong>Bifurcation Buoy<\/strong><\/p>\n Port-Junction Bifurcation Buoys are green in colour with a red horizontal band at the midsection. Port-Junction Buoys should be kept on the port (left) side of the vessel when navigating upstream.<\/p>\n Starboard-Junction<\/strong>\u00a0Bifurcation Buoy<\/strong><\/p>\n Starboard-Junction Bifurcation Buoys are red in colour with a green horizontal band at the midsection. Starboard-Junction Buoys should be kept on the starboard (right) side of the vessel when navigating upstream.<\/p>\n Fairway Buoys are used to mark the\u00a0entrance\u00a0to a channel, the centre of a shipping channel or a safe approach to land. Operators should keep the Fairway Buoy on the left (port) side whether proceeding upstream or downstream.<\/p>\n\n
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Port-Hand Buoys<\/h2>\n
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Starboard-Hand buoys<\/h2>\n
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Bifurcation Buoys<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nFairway Buoys<\/h2>\n