What marks the preferred channel and how is it indicated?

• A. Blue can bouy with top band indicating preferred side
• B. Yellow with stripes indicating preferred side
• C. Orange spar buoy indicating preferred side
• D. Red/green with top color showing preferred side

Answer: (D)

Preferred channel is shown by red and green lateral marks, and the key detail is the top color on the mark. In this system, two-tone buoys mark the sides of the safe water path, and the color you see on the top of the buoy tells you which side is the preferred passage. If the top color is green, the green side is the preferred side to pass on; if the top color is red, the red side is the preferred side. This helps you navigate safely through bends or crossings by guiding you to stay in the channel. Other marks like blue can buoys, yellow striped marks, or orange spar buoys indicate moorings, special areas, or hazards, not the preferred channel, so they don’t convey this same navigational cue.