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Maritime Traffic Lanes
Learn basic maritime traffic schemes and regional variations
by Paul Bruno
Traffic is controlled in coastal waters and inland passages with
marker buoys.
Buoys in coastal areas are known as lateral markers and
when found in traffic lanes they are known as channel markers.
Both types of markers serve the same purpose. They guide a
vessel through an area known to be safe for passage, and provide a traffic
separation scheme similar to a road on land.
These “Rules of the Road” are
very similar to those you follow while driving an automobile on land, so we
will use that as an example when talking about marine traffic.
IALA A and IALA B
If you are driving a car in an overseas country it is sometimes
necessary to drive on the opposite side of the road than you usually do.
This is the same for ships, but fortunately there are only two
schemes IALA A and IALA B. IALA stands for International
Association of Lighthouse Authorities.
IALA A is used in
Europe, some areas of Africa, most of Asia, plus Australia and New
Zealand.
IALA B is used in North
America, South America, Japan, the Philippines, and Korea.
Traffic Marker Buoys
Marker buoys come in two colors, green and red. Red buoys mark
one side of a traffic lane and green marks the other side.
Think of the area in the middle as a road or highway. On land a
road has painted stripes marking safe areas for travel; a solid line marks both
sides of the road and is meant not to be crossed — think of the red and green
buoys as these lines.
A road has a line painted in the middle to divide traffic by
direction; in a maritime environment the center divider is invisible. The
separation line is exactly in the center of the marked course.
IALA A Rules
In Europe, Australia, New Zealand, plus parts of Africa and
Asia, the IALA A rules are in force. This means that when traveling you should
keep the green buoy on the right or starboard side of the vessel.
The shape of the marker also gives you traffic information. A
triangular or cone-shaped top indicates the marker should be kept on the
starboard side of the vessel.
IALA B Rules
The IALA B traffic separation scheme is used in North and South
America, Japan, the Philippines, and Korea.
It is the opposite traffic flow of the IALA A scheme. This is
like driving on the opposite side of the road while overseas.
In this case, while traveling keep the red buoy on the right or
starboard side of the vessel.
The same triangular or cone-shaped top will be present on
markers which should be kept on the starboard side of the vessel.
Both traffic patterns have the same rules when it comes to
marker shape.
A triangular marker is always kept on the starboard side of the
vessel no matter if it is red or green. Markers to the port side of the vessel
will be square or flat-topped.
Entering and Exiting Traffic
Separation Schemes
When entering a traffic separation area, proceed with caution
and be alert. This is like a highway on-ramp for ships and smaller craft.
At busy times many vessels will be trying to enter these lanes.
Try to align your vessel in the direction of travel within the lane.
Essentially extending the lane beyond the actual lane markers
will help you smoothly transition from open waters to the traffic lane.
The entrance to a traffic separation scheme is subject to rules
of Right of Way.
The Right of Way is one of the most important parts of the Rules
of the Road and needs to be understood completely for safe operation.
Sometimes
automobile traffic in busy areas takes on a special set of rules that is
different from standard operation, and is usually only understood by local
drivers.
The same thing
is true on the water. Local vessels like water taxis or tender boats might not
follow these traffic lanes, this is not necessarily breaking the rules because
the vessels need to operate outside the lanes to do their job.
Exiting a traffic scheme is similar to entering. If you are
traveling out into open water it is best to extend your heading past the end of
the final marker.
If your vessel is large or slow moving, traffic behind your
vessel might be eager to pass. Wait until traffic clears before changing your
course because not all vessels will sound the proper horn signal when
attempting to pass.
Be careful, Right of Way is
important, but avoiding collision is more important than being right.
You may need to exit a traffic lane before reaching the end of
the marked passage to reach your destination.
Buoys are marked with numbers like street numbers. Red buoys
always have an even number and green are marked with odd numbers.
Maneuvering between marker buoys is acceptable as long as it can
be done safely. Check for traffic outside the lane and for any orange and white
buoys marking obstructions.
If the way is clear you may proceed.
If you must cross the oncoming lane of traffic, wait for an
appropriate gap in traffic and turn a perpendicular course across the lane.
Keep other vessels in mind when slowing down or turning out of a
lane. Ships have limited maneuverability at low speeds and take a long time to
stop.
If you cannot turn across a lane without obstructing traffic,
exit on the opposite side and wait for traffic to clear then proceed across
both lanes to your destination.
Traffic Lane Crossings
Where two traffic lanes cross there is a special marker buoy. It
is striped horizontally with red and green bands.
This is similar to an intersection of a primary and secondary
road. The top band designates the primary traffic route and the lower band
designates the secondary route.
Right of Way rules govern how traffic flows at these crossings —
primary and secondary designations do not determine which vessel may cross
first.
Paul Bruno
United States
Coast Guard licensed Ship Master with Passenger Certification.
A marine
contractor familiar with all ship systems who has worked in the industry for
more than 20 years.
Has
a USCG Master's License and a degree in Creative Nonfiction and
Technical Writing, from the University of Wisconsin.
Experience
Paul Bruno is
a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed work for over five years on the
maritime industry. He has worked with a variety of vessels throughout his
maritime career, including various commercial ships as well as the Great Lakes
schooner reproduction "Dennis Sullivan." As a marine contractor, Paul
is familiar with all ship systems, and his lifelong passion for electronics has
led to a focus on marine hardware and software development. When he is not
working, Paul's favorite hobby is knot work, keeping busy with the nearly 4,000
documented knots, splices, and eyes.
Education
USCG Master's
License, 1993
Creative Nonfiction
and Technical Writing, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and University of
Waikato, Hamilton NZ
Paul Bruno
ThoughtCo
and Dotdash
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