Description: A buoy is a floating object moored to the bottom in a particular place, as an aid to navigation or for other specific purposes. (IHO Dictionary, S-32, 5th Edition, 565). A lateral buoy is used to indicate the port or starboard hand side of the route to be followed. They ar e generally used for well defined channels and are used in conjunction with a conventional direction of buoyage. (UKHO NP 735, 5th Edition)