Buoys and beacons as the IALA system lays them out. Coming in from sea means into a harbor, up a river, or clockwise round a continent; a chart shows the direction where it isn't clear.
Lateral marks, IALA A
Europe, Africa, Asia except Japan, Korea and the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. Coming in from sea: red to port, green to starboard.
PortKeep it on your port side coming in from sea.Light: R, any rhythmStarboardKeep it on your starboard side coming in from sea.Light: G, any rhythmPreferred channel to starboardA fork: the main channel is to starboard. Pass it as a port mark.Light: Fl(2+1) RPreferred channel to portA fork: the main channel is to port. Pass it as a starboard mark.Light: Fl(2+1) G
Lateral marks, IALA B
North, Central and South America, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Coming in from sea: red to starboard, "red right returning".
PortKeep it on your port side coming in from sea.Light: G, any rhythmStarboardKeep it on your starboard side coming in from sea.Light: R, any rhythmPreferred channel to starboardA fork: the main channel is to starboard. Pass it as a port mark.Light: Fl(2+1) GPreferred channel to portA fork: the main channel is to port. Pass it as a starboard mark.Light: Fl(2+1) R
Cardinal marks
The flashes follow a clock face: 3 at east, 6 at south, 9 at west. The cones point where the black is.
North cardinalSafe water to the north. Pass north of it.Light: Q or VQ, white, without a breakEast cardinalSafe water to the east. Pass east of it.Light: Q(3) 10 s or VQ(3) 5 s, whiteSouth cardinalSafe water to the south. Pass south of it.Light: Q(6)+LFl 15 s or VQ(6)+LFl 10 s, whiteWest cardinalSafe water to the west. Pass west of it.Light: Q(9) 15 s or VQ(9) 10 s, white
Other marks
Isolated dangerA small danger with safe water all round it. Give it room.Light: Fl(2), whiteSafe waterSafe water all round: a landfall or the middle of a channel.Light: Iso, Oc, LFl 10 s or Morse A, whiteSpecial markNot for navigation: a zone, a cable, a racing or bathing area. The chart says which.Light: Yellow, any rhythmEmergency wreckA new wreck, not on the charts yet. Keep well clear.Light: Blue and yellow, alternating
