Navigation buoys serve as visual markers that help mariners identify channel boundaries, avoid underwater hazards, and maintain a safe course. Among various types of buoys, the lateral buoy is one of the most essential, providing clear guidance for entering and exiting ports safely.
What is A Lateral Buoy?
A lateral buoy is a type of navigation buoy used to indicate the sides of a navigable channel. These buoys help mariners distinguish between the port (left) and starboard (right) sides of a channel when approaching from the sea. By following the lateral buoy markers, vessels can navigate safely, especially in narrow or busy waterways.
Lateral Buoys Components
1) Marine Lantern
It emits light at night, allowing ships to identify navigation marks in the dark and ensure navigation safety. Meanwhile, different colors of lights represent different meanings, for example, (under the IALA A-zone standard), green represents the starboard buoy, and red represents the port buoy. In addition, these lights have specific flashing frequencies. Therefore, to correctly identify navigation lights, you must pay attention to the lights' color and flashing rhythm.
2) Lantern Support Structure
The support frame from the buoy body to the navigation light mainly supports the navigation light to prevent tipping and bear weight. It is integrated with the top mark in design, but is different in function.
3) Topmark
It is used to assist in navigation mark identification and help sailing ships recognize the type or direction of the buoy through the mark's shape at a long distance. The international standard (IALA Maritime Buoy System A-zone standard) requires that the top of the port buoy (Red Buoy) is generally a single green cone facing upward or a similar design. The top of the starboard buoy (Green Buoy) is a single red cylinder or flat plate structure. Safe water buoys, danger buoys, isolation buoys, etc., also have different topmarks (such as double balls, double cones, etc.).
On the green buoy: the spiral metal structure (like a rotating, hollow cone), which is the topmark commonly used for the Green Lateral Buoy (right sign).
On the red buoy: the vertically arranged plate structure (flat plate or striped plate), which is the common topmark form of the Red Lateral Buoy (left sign).
4) Lifting Eyes / Pad Eyes
The small rings on the top or around the buoy are mainly used for lifting or mooring, such as lifting buoys, or hanging auxiliary equipment (anchor chains, ropes, etc.).
5) Buoy Body
Buoy Body: The red or green, drum-shaped, large buoy in the middle. The main function is to provide buoyancy and support the buoy as a whole to float on the water. It is usually made of steel (also PE or composite materials), sprayed with anti-corrosion paint on the surface, and the color follows the IALA standard (A zone: red left and green right).
Hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into lateral buoys. For more information and regular updates on buoy technology, please follow us on Facebook.
Our factory is equipped with advanced production lines and modern facilities, enabling us to manufacture high-quality steel or PE buoys with consistent performance and durability. With years of experience in marine product manufacturing, we strictly follow international standards such as IALA guidelines to ensure reliability and safety. If you need our lateral buoys, we are here waiting for your inquiry!
