Which color of buoys typically indicates a safe passage?

• A. Green
• B. Red
• C. Yellow
• D. Blue

Answer: (B)

Buoys that indicate safe passage are associated with specific colors and the system used for navigation. In the United States, the lateral system of buoyage uses red and green colors to mark the edges of navigable channels. Red buoys, which are known as "can buoys," indicate the right side of the channel when approaching from sea, marking areas where it is safe to navigate. These buoys are part of the Intracoastal Waterway and the marking convention ensures that vessels know where they can safely pass without running aground or encountering hazards.

While green buoys do indicate safe passage as well, they denote the left side of the channel when returning from the sea, thus emphasizing the combined importance of understanding buoy colors in navigation. The emphasis on red in this context aligns with the question’s focus on which color specifically signals safe passage for vessels.