You are heading out to sea in a buoyed channel and see a quick-flashing green light on a buoy ahead of you. In U.S. waters, you should leave the buoy __________.

Correct Answer: Option D — to starboard

In U.S. waters, the IALA-B system applies. When heading out to sea (returning from sea), the 'red-right-returning' rule dictates that red buoys should be kept to starboard. A green light indicates a port-hand buoy; therefore, when heading out, you leave the green buoy to port and the red buoy to starboard.