IALA Maritime Buoyage System

The IALA Maritime Buoyage System provides standardized rules for marking navigational hazards and guiding vessels safely. It uses colored buoys with specific shapes and arrangements to indicate areas such as safe channels, dangers, and port or starboard sides. In IALA Region A (most of the world), red buoys mark the port (left) side of safe passage, while green mark the starboard (right). In Region B (North America, Japan), the colors are reversed. Buoy shapes and light patterns also communicate whether an area is safe or hazardous. This system helps mariners identify their position and navigate safely through waters.