🔍 Key Concepts

• IALA Buoyage System A and B – but note that lateral marks are different from other special marks • Difference between a safe water mark (red and white vertical stripes) and an isolated danger mark (black with red bands) • Standard topmark shapes and colors for special marks (spheres, cones, X-shapes)

💭 Think About

• First, identify what a red and white vertically-striped buoy represents in the IALA system – is it lateral, safe water, or danger? • Once you know the type of mark, recall the standard topmark assigned to that specific type – what is its shape and what color is it? • Eliminate any options that you know belong to other marks (for example, which topmark is used for isolated danger, and which one is used for special marks?)

✅ Before You Answer

• Be sure you are thinking of a safe water mark when you see red and white vertical stripes • Confirm from your mental chart: what is the usual topmark for a safe water mark? • Double-check which marks (if any) use two black spheres or X-shaped topmarks so you don’t mix them up