When returning to port from seaward and you see a red buoy, how should you respond?

When returning to port from seaward and you encounter a red buoy, the appropriate response is to keep the buoy on your starboard side. This guideline is based on the system of navigation buoys known as the IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) buoyage system, which dictates that red buoys denote the right side of the channel when you are heading towards port.

By staying to the right of a red buoy, you are following the established maritime rules that help ensure safe navigation and decrease the risk of collisions with other vessels or hazards in the water. This practice is essential for maintaining good navigation habits and is crucial for boaters to know in order to operate safely in coastal and inland waters.