🔍 Key Concepts

• IALA Maritime Buoyage System and the meaning of special marks • Standard light colors used on buoys (red, green, white, yellow) and what each generally indicates • How buoy shape and color pattern relate to buoy function or purpose

💭 Think About

• Think about what yellow lights usually indicate in the buoyage system: are they used for main channel navigation, or for something else like special areas or features? • Consider whether the shape of the buoy (spherical, horizontally-banded, vertically-striped) determines the light color, or if the type/purpose of the mark is more important. • Ask yourself: which option refers to a buoy whose primary role is to mark areas or features that are not part of the main channel or lateral system?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which type of buoy is defined as a special mark in the IALA system and what light color it uses. • Confirm whether shapes or color patterns alone (horizontal bands, vertical stripes, spherical) are ever the determining factor for a yellow light, or if the function/type of buoy is key. • Check that the option you choose corresponds to a mark that commonly indicates special areas or features (e.g., recreation areas, pipelines, military zones).