Which side should you pass on when leaving harbor if the obstruction buoy has a red top stripe?

Which side should you pass on when leaving harbor if the obstruction buoy has a red top stripe?

• A. Pass on port side
• B. Pass on starboard side
• C. Pass on bow side
• D. Pass on aft side

Answer: (B)

Understanding buoyage colors and top bands helps you know which side to keep to when you pass a mark or obstacle. An obstruction buoy with a red top stripe is indicating the side you should pass on as you depart the harbor: you pass on the starboard (right) side. This keeps you clear of the hazard while you head out to sea. So you steer so the buoy is on your left and you move to its right, staying in the designated safe passage on the starboard side. The other options don’t align with this marker’s guidance, and they don’t provide the correct passing side for this specific obstruction.

Understanding buoyage colors and top bands helps you know which side to keep to when you pass a mark or obstacle. An obstruction buoy with a red top stripe is indicating the side you should pass on as you depart the harbor: you pass on the starboard (right) side. This keeps you clear of the hazard while you head out to sea.

So you steer so the buoy is on your left and you move to its right, staying in the designated safe passage on the starboard side. The other options don’t align with this marker’s guidance, and they don’t provide the correct passing side for this specific obstruction.