What should you do if you encounter a red lateral marker while boating?

When encountering a red lateral marker while boating, it is important to keep the marker on your right side. In the United States, red buoys are part of the lateral system of navigation aids, which help boaters determine safe water channels. This system follows the IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) standards for North America, where red markers indicate the right side of a channel when entering from open water or seaward.

Keeping the red marker on your right signifies that you are in shallow water and need to navigate towards the safer side, which is generally the green markers on the left. This practice is crucial for safe navigation to avoid hazards and ensure that you remain in the navigable waters. Understanding the significance of colored markers allows boaters to effectively navigate waterways and prevents run-ins with obstacles or shallow areas that could pose a danger to their vessel.

This proper adherence to navigational markers is essential for maintaining safety during boating activities.