AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/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.

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  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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References

Answer: On your right (starboard) side. 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.

  1. USCG A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2023) www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf
    This means that when returning from seaward, keep the red markers on the right-hand (starboard) side of the vessel.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. 33 CFR Part 62, United States Aids to Navigation System www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-62
    All navigable waters of the United States follow IALA Region B, except U.S. possessions west of the International Date Line and south of 10 degrees north latitude
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. 33 CFR Part 62, United States Aids to Navigation System www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-62
    port hand marks will be red when following the Conventional Direction of Buoyage
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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