Navigation for beginners

In most countries around the world there is a system of bouyage used by mariners which helps safe navigation into harbours. This is primarily, but not limited to, Red and Green Bouys. In this part of the world we are using the IALA B system, which confusingly is opposite to that used in Britain and Europe. Red, Port hand marks are actually Starboard. Don’t get upset. Everyone knows its crap having two systems but we are dealing here with the Americans who always need to be a little different. Red right returning in North and Central America and red to red, go ahead in Europe.

The Island of Roatan in Honduras has its very own, unique trial and error system! A terrible advert for this run down harbour is the absolute abundance of shipwrecks that litter the entrance. In actual fact, there seems to be more boats wrecked on the beaches and reefs at the entrance, than safely tied up within! Rather than worrying about which colour bouys to look out for here, you must just aim as centrally as you can between the wrecks at the entrance. The wrecks are a very clear indication of where not to go and so the system works perfectly. They don’t teach you this stuff in school you know….