While steaming north of the Irish coast, you sight a buoy which shows the light rhythm shown in illustration D028NG below. How would you pass this buoy?

Correct Answer: Option C — East of the buoy

The IALA Maritime Buoyage System (Region A) uses cardinal marks to indicate safe water. A buoy with a light rhythm of VQ(3) 5s is a North cardinal mark. According to standard navigation rules, you must pass to the North of this buoy to remain in the safest navigable water.