SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-red-right-returning

In U.S. waters, 'red right returning' means keep red markers where when coming in from sea?

On your right (starboard) side.

  1. On your right (starboard) side ✔
  2. On your left (port) side
  3. Directly ahead of the bow

Why: Returning from seaward, keep red lateral markers on your right (starboard) side and green on your left. Heading upstream toward the head of navigation counts as returning too.

Huh, didn't know that: In IALA Region A countries the colors are swapped, so red marks the port side when returning.

The dad joke
Why did the boat love red markers? They always made it feel right at home.
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Sources

  1. USCG A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2023) https://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf
  2. 33 CFR 62.25 Lateral marks (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-62.25

Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterA red, cone-shaped buoy with a pointed top is called what?Boating & WaterGreen, flat-topped, cylinder-shaped buoys are called what?Boating & WaterIn the U.S. system, red channel markers carry what kind of numbers?

That's stuff everyone should know.