Boating Basics
Buoys and Beacons: Understanding Navigation Markers
A plain-English introduction before you head out on Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River are marked with buoys and beacons that show safe channels, warn of hazards, and mark special areas. Reading them correctly is a basic skill covered in the BoatSafe course required for your Queensland licence - here's a plain-English overview of what you'll see, plus where to check the official rules.
Lateral Marks (Red and Green)
Lateral marks show the edges of a channel and are the markers you'll see most often. Australia follows the IALA System A buoyage convention, where red and green marks indicate the port and starboard sides of a channel - but which side you keep them on depends on your direction of travel relative to the "conventional direction," which is shown on charts. Rather than memorising a rule that can be easy to get backwards, always confirm against a current chart of your specific route or ask us during your safety briefing.
Port lateral mark (red, can-shaped)
Starboard lateral mark (green, conical)
Simplified illustrations for reference only - not to scale and not a substitute for a current chart.
Cardinal Marks
Cardinal marks use black and yellow horizontal bands, with a topmark of two black cones, to indicate which side of a hazard - like a shoal or wreck - is safe to pass. They're named for the compass direction (north, south, east or west) they represent relative to the danger, so a north cardinal mark tells you the safe water is to its north.
North (black over yellow)
South (yellow over black)
East (black-yellow-black)
West (yellow-black-yellow)
Simplified illustrations of topmark orientation for reference only - always confirm against official charts.
Special Marks
Yellow marks indicate special areas rather than navigational hazards - things like designated water-ski zones, pipelines, or other marked-off areas. They don't tell you which side to pass on; they simply flag that the area has a particular purpose or restriction worth knowing about.
Special mark (yellow, X topmark)
Safe Water Marks
Marked with red and white vertical stripes, safe water marks indicate open, safe water all around - often used to mark the start of a channel or a mid-channel approach point.
Safe water mark (red/white stripes)
Where to Check the Official Rules
This page is a general introduction, not a substitute for proper training or current charts. For the authoritative rules, always check Maritime Safety Queensland and the current charts for your route before you head out, and make sure you understand the BoatSafe course content that's part of getting your Queensland boat licence.
During your handover we'll talk through the specific markers on your planned route - see our full boating safety guide for what else is covered before you leave the ramp.
Planning a route and want to talk through the markers first? Email us before your hire.
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Navigation Marker FAQs
Common questions before your first self-drive trip
What do red and green markers mean on the water?
In Australia's IALA System A, red and green lateral marks show the edges of a channel. Which side you keep them on depends on your direction of travel - always check a current chart or the marker itself, as the convention flips depending on whether you're heading in from the sea or out toward it.
What are cardinal marks?
Cardinal marks use black and yellow bands and a topmark to indicate which side of a hazard is safe to pass on, named for the compass direction (north, south, east, west) they mark relative to the danger.
Do I need to understand navigation markers before hiring a boat?
A working knowledge of markers is part of the BoatSafe course required for a Queensland Recreational Boat Licence. We also cover the key markers for your specific route during your safety briefing.
Where can I see the official navigation marker rules?
Maritime Safety Queensland and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority publish the authoritative IALA buoyage guides - always check current charts and official sources rather than relying on general descriptions alone.
Ready to Get Out on the Water?
Questions about your route or the markers you'll see? Get in touch.