As your vessel is heading southward along the east... - USCG Navigation General

As your vessel is heading southward along the east coast of the United States, you encounter a buoy showing a red flashing light. How should you pass this buoy?

A Leave it to your starboard.

B Leave it to your port.

C Pass it about 50 yards off on either side.

D Pass it well clear on either side.

AI Explanation

The correct answer is A) Leave it to your starboard. According to the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a red flashing buoy marks the starboard (right) side of the navigable channel when traveling in the direction of the buoy. Therefore, you should pass this buoy, which is indicating the starboard side of the channel, by leaving it to your starboard (right) side as you head southward along the east coast. The other options are incorrect because B) leaving it to your port (left) side would be the wrong side of the channel, C) passing it 50 yards off either side is too close, and D) passing it well clear on either side is unnecessarily wide of the channel.

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Question 163Navigation General

As your vessel is heading southward along the east coast of the United States, you encounter a buoy showing a red flashing light. How should you pass this buoy?

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