When entering harbour from seaward, leave on PORT hand. When heading out to sea, leave on STARBOARD hand.
Live Light Rhythm Timeline0.0 s / 4.0 s
PORT OF ROTTERDAM (NORTH SEA)
COURSE: 000° | SPEED: 8.5 KTS
N000°
Navigational ScenarioSCENARIO 1/8
Vessel is entering port along the main fairway.
A floating mark has been sighted ahead. Determine the correct passing side.
Red Can Buoy
Fl R 4s (Red)
On which side of your vessel should this mark be left?
MANOEUVRE EXECUTED SAFELY
Vessel successfully navigated the fairway in compliance with IALA rules.
NAUTICAL CHART: SCALE 1:25,000
SOUNDINGS IN METRES (WGS-84)
Navigational Chart PlottingNAUTICAL CHART
A dangerous underwater hazard (sunken wreck with 1.4 m clearance) is charted.
An IALA cardinal mark is deployed nearby. Determine on which side of the hazard a safe course must be laid.
Topmark: Two black cones points UP (▲ over ▲)
Light: Q W (Continuous quick flashing white)
Colour: Black above yellow
On which side of the hazard should your vessel pass?
CORRECT SAFE PASSAGE
A North Cardinal Mark is placed north of the hazard. Safe navigable water lies to the NORTH of the mark.
STCW 78/95 Certification Assessment
Certification qualification assessment on the International Maritime Buoyage System (IALA Regions A & B) in full compliance with the STCW Convention (Section A-II/1 Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch).
15 Random Questions
45 Seconds per Question
Passing Score: 80%
Day Marks & Live Lights
QUESTION 1 OF 15
45 sec
CORRECT!
93%
ASSESSMENT PASSED
Meets Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch standards (STCW A-II/1)
The conventional direction of buoyage is taken from seaward towards port, harbour, river or estuary.
Characteristic
Region A (Europe, Russia, Africa, Australia, Asia)
Region B (Americas, Japan, South Korea, Philippines)
Port Hand Mark
Red can (cylinder) • Fl R
Green can (cylinder) • Fl G
Starboard Hand Mark
Green cone (point up) • Fl G
Red cone (point up) • Fl R ("Red Right Returning")
Preferred Channel to Starboard
Red with green horizontal band • Fl(2+1) R
Green with red horizontal band • Fl(2+1) G
Preferred Channel to Port
Green with red horizontal band • Fl(2+1) G
Red with green horizontal band • Fl(2+1) R
2. Cardinal Marks (Identical in Regions A and B)
Named after the quadrant in which they are deployed relative to the hazard. Safe navigable water lies on the named side of the mark!
Quadrant
Topmark
Body Colour
Light Rhythm (White Light)
NORTH (N)
▲▲ (Both points UP)
Black above yellow
Q W or VQ W (Continuous quick)
EAST (E)
▲ over ▼ (Bases together / Egg)
Black with yellow band
VQ(3) W 5s or Q(3) W 10s (3 o'clock)
SOUTH (S)
▼▼ (Both points DOWN)
Yellow above black
VQ(6)+LFl W 10s (6 o'clock + 1 long flash ≥2s)
WEST (W)
▼ over ▲ (Points together / Wineglass)
Yellow with black band
VQ(9) W 10s or Q(9) W 15s (9 o'clock)
3. Other IALA Marks
Isolated Danger Mark: Black with red horizontal bands, topmark: 2 black spheres vertically (●●), light: white Fl(2) W 5s. Navigable water all around; pass on either side at a safe distance.
Safe Water Mark (Mid-Channel / Fairway): Red and white vertical stripes, spherical, pillar or spar body, topmark: 1 red sphere (●), light: white Iso, Occ, LFl 10s or Morse Code 'A' (.-). Indicates navigable water all around.
Special Mark: Solid yellow body, topmark: yellow diagonal St. Andrew's cross (X), light: yellow Fl Y. Indicates special areas or features (spoil ground, cables, military zones, ODAS).
Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy: Vertical blue and yellow stripes, topmark: upright yellow cross (+), alternating blue and yellow light Al.Fl.BuY 3s. Deployed over new unchartered wrecks.
IALA Simulator HubSTCW A-II/1 // IALA REGION A & B // INT 1
Professional IALA Maritime Buoyage Simulator (IALA Buoyage Master Pro)
IALA Buoyage Master Pro on the NavLib educational platform is an interactive marine simulator tailored for watchkeeping officers, master mariners, marine pilots, and maritime academy cadets. Unlike static flashcards or picture quizzes, this training module recreates live bridge watchkeeping realities: calculating flash frequencies in darkness, navigating channel bifurcations across Region A and Region B, and identifying safe clearance sectors on tactical navigational charts.
Need Detailed Regulatory Guidelines & Reference Tables?
Study complete buoy classifications, color standards, topmark specs, and COLREGs rules in our comprehensive guide.
Dynamic SVG rendering of Lateral, Cardinal, Isolated Danger, Safe Water, and Special marks with instant hull geometry switching (Pillar, Spherical, Spar).
✦ Night Watch Light Oscilloscope
Real-time flashing lanterns driven by active requestAnimationFrame loops. Precise timing for Q, VQ(3), VQ(9), Fl(2), Morse "A", and alternating Blue/Yellow emergency wreck lights.
✦ Channel Passage Simulator
Interactive ship fairway handling for port arrivals and departures in Rotterdam, Hamburg, Boston, and Tokyo Bay, testing Port/Starboard clearance and color inversions.
✦ Nautical Chart Plotting Radar
1:25,000 scale tactical chart view with official INT 1 symbols. Navigate past wrecks and shallow banks by picking safe quadrant courses according to cardinal topmarks.
✦ STCW 78/95 Certification Exam
Randomized 15-question qualification test under a 45-second timer per question, complete with an error audit and clean, print-ready A4 assessment protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is this simulator more effective than standard flashcards?
At sea, navigators process buoyage in dynamic conditions: counting flash intervals against a stopwatch in pitch darkness and executing helm orders on fairways. This simulator trains practical visual reflexes and spatial decision-making rather than passive memorization.
How can I print my official STCW examination protocol?
Once the test is finished, click the "Print Protocol" button on the debrief screen. The page stylesheet automatically compiles a clean A4 audit sheet showing your answers, correct IALA benchmarks, and regulatory rationales for your instructor or assessment board.
Where can I read the full theoretical breakdown of Region A vs. Region B?
A complete side-by-side comparison, "Red Right Returning" mnemonics, and light characteristic tables are detailed in our dedicated guide: IALA Buoyage System Guide on NavLib.net.
