IALA Region A at a glance
Buoyage Explorer
Browse every buoy type with its shape, colours, topmark and light rhythm, then test yourself in drill mode.
IALA Region A at a glance
Browse every buoy type with its shape, colours, topmark and light rhythm, then test yourself in drill mode.
All the marks of IALA Region A (Europe, Africa, Australasia and most of Asia). Select a mark to see its meaning, the action to take, and its light characteristic.
This trainer covers the IALA Region A buoyage system used in the UK and most of the world outside the Americas. The direction of buoyage generally runs from seaward into harbours, rivers and estuaries, and clockwise around landmasses; it is shown on charts by a broad magenta arrow. Lateral marks (red to port, green to starboard) only make sense relative to that direction, so always check it before interpreting a mark.
Cardinal marks are named for the side on which you should pass them: pass north of a north cardinal, east of an east cardinal, and so on. Their topmark cones “point to the black” on the buoy body, and their white lights follow the clock face — three flashes for east (3 o’clock), six plus a long flash for south, nine for west, and continuous for north.
Start in Explore and work through each card until the colours, topmarks and lights feel familiar, then switch to Drill and test yourself against unlabelled marks. Aim for a clean run through the whole set — in the exam, and on the water, you need to recognise these at a glance.