Leaving the channel · Region B
Conventional direction and outward passage. Developing level, about 3 min. IALA Region B. IALA lateral marks · Region B.
The situation
You are leaving this channel, heading south. The charted conventional direction of buoyage points north. Region B applies. Inspect the marks and the arrow before choosing your side of the channel.
How should you pass the lateral marks on the outward leg?
- Keep the port-hand marks to starboard and the starboard-hand marks to port: Use the starboard side of the channel for your southbound passage.
- Keep the port-hand marks to port: Use the inward mnemonic while going outward.
- Ignore the buoyage arrow: Colour alone determines the side of your vessel.
Answers and explanations
Lookout: Port-hand and starboard-hand describe the marks in the conventional direction, not your changing direction of travel.
The sound answer
Keep the port-hand marks to starboard and the starboard-hand marks to port
Travelling against the charted direction reverses which side of your vessel you leave each lateral mark. The mark colour and can/cone meaning do not change.
Why the other options fall short
Keep the port-hand marks to port
That mnemonic applies when following the direction of buoyage. You are travelling against it.
Ignore the buoyage arrow
The conventional direction is essential to interpreting lateral marks. Colour alone is incomplete.
Lateral marks · Region B
Read lateral marks in the conventional direction of buoyage shown on the chart. When travelling in the opposite direction, their passing sides relative to your vessel reverse.