Red, Left, Return - what?

I was recently in Auckland, New Zealand and noticed a couple of buoys in the harbor that reminded me of home (for those of you that don’t know me, I am English). In this photo the boat docks are to the left and the open ocean is   to the right.

I know many of you are considering exciting international sailing vacations to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Asia and Australasia and so I thought it was worth reminding everyone that we have 2 two buoyage systems in the World and most of these destinations are the ‘other one’ to America.

The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, the IALA, specify 2 systems:  IALA - B used by the Americas (Canada to Argentina including the Caribbean) Japan, Korea and the Philippines, and IALA – A used by the rest of the World.

In the US, or the IALA - B region we use the acronym; Red Right Return; keep the reds on the right, when returning from the open ocean. This makes it easy to remember.

Also in region B, the reds are triangular and numbered evenly and the greens are square and numbered oddly.

However, in region A, the reds are kept to the left, are square and numbered oddly, with the greens, triangular and numbered evenly.

A story suggests the buoys in the US got ‘swapped’ during the civil war to confuse the British. I am not sure it’s true - and ‘painted’ is probably a more accurate word; they changed color but stayed the same shape and maintained the same numbering system.

It’s much easier to visualize:

For context, the IALA Maritime Buoyage System agreement wasn’t signed until the 15th of April 1982, in Paris, by representatives of 53 nations. Prior to this, there were up to 70 different systems in use, dependent on country and region.

One final thing – the system is known as a ‘lateral system’ which means don’t expect runways of lights. Buoys are placed on the ends of hazards to keep you away, making it critical you understand which side you need to be and which order you need to pass them.

Understand your Buoys and stay safe – enjoy your adventures!

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