It depends on where you are in the world.
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) "B" region (Covers the America's, Japan, S. Korea and the Philippians). In IALA "B" the red buoys are on the right side of the channel and green on the left side of the channel when returning from sea.
In the US a good memory tool is "Red right return".
In the IALA "A" region (The rest of the world) Green buoys are on the right side of the channel and the red buoys are of the left side of the channel when returning from sea.
They are called lateral marks and they are used to mark the outer boundaries of the navigational channel.
Preferred channel markers are buoys showing red and green bands.
Red buoys have even numbers and red lights; green buoys have odd numbers and green lights.
Nuns are red.
When heading downstream (away from harbor) leave the red buoys to port and the green buoys to starboard.When heading upstream (back in to harbor) it's the opposite: leave the green buoys to port and the red buoys to starboard.
In the United States, when you are outbound for sea you would have red buoys (even numbered) on your port side(left) and green buoys on your starboard side (right). When returning fromsea you would have red buoys on your starboard (right) side (Remember " Red right return") and green buoys on your port side (left).
A boat should cruise between a green and red buoy. The red buoy will always be located on the right side of your boat. Red buoys will always mean , returning, red, and right. There will be a number on a red buoy that will give the chart location. The numbers will always be even.
When going into a port or harbor, you should keep green buoys on your left. When leaving a port or harbor, you should keep green buoys to your right. A good way to remember this is the phrase "Red, Right, Return." This phrase means that you should keep Red buoys on your Right (thus keeping green buoys on your left) when coming into a port/harbor (Returning).
Some red buoys are known as "nun" buoys.(Ref: SB-4)some red buoys are known as nun buoys
Swim area not!! It is the navigable channel
Red Buoys are called Nuns and green buoys are called cans. The red buoy is pointed on top and looks like a red nun floating in the water.
Some red buoys are known as "nun" buoys.(Ref: SB-4)some red buoys are known as nun buoys
The main purpose of the lateral system of red and green buoys and markers is to indicate the sides of a navigable waterway or the location of hazards. Red buoys/markers should be kept on the right or starboard side of the boat when traveling upstream, while green buoys/markers should be kept on the left or port side. This system helps to ensure safe navigation and prevent collisions.