USCG Exam PracticeAids to Navigation — IALA-B (US) buoyage
A mariner trained in the US is planning a coastal passage along the coast of France. Regarding lateral buoyage, which statement is correct?
- A. France uses IALA-B; red marks are kept to starboard when returning from sea
- ✓ France uses IALA-A; port-hand marks are red, reversing the US conventionCorrect
- C. France uses IALA-A; port-hand marks are green, the same as US starboard-hand marks
- D. France uses IALA-B; green marks are kept to starboard when returning from sea
Why B is correct
The Light List states that outside the Americas (including Europe), IALA-A applies and port-hand marks are red, reversing the US 'red right returning' convention. The mariner must verify the IALA region in the chart border before relying on lateral marks.