# IALA Buoyage & Lights — Essential for all seafarers

> Maritime navigation aid for recognizing IALA buoys and light markers. (iPhone/iPad app by The Other Hat.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iala-buoyage-and-lights/id503124780 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The Other Hat](https://appshunter.io/developer/573973071)
- Category: Reference, Navigation
- Price: $3.99
- Age rating: +4
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 17 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-03-30
- Data updated: 2026-08-29
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iala-buoyage-and-lights/id503124780/reviews.md

## What is IALA Buoyage & Lights?

IALA Buoys & Lights helps to improve your navigation skills and stay safer on the water. It covers both IALA Maritime Buoyage Systems A and B.
This essential reference, learning and revision app helps skippers, sailors, boaters, anglers, crew and maritime professionals recognise and interpret buoyage, navigation marks and light characteristics. 

“The graphics are clear and well done, and the info is great to carry with me. Works perfectly.”

Downloaded and used by thousands of seafarers across Great Britain, the USA, Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand and more than 50 other countries.

QUICK, RELIABLE, PRACTICAL REFERENCE
Whether you are on the water or ashore, studying in daylight or checking a mark in darkness or poor visibility, IALA Buoys & Lights makes it easy to find the relevant illustration, rule and definition.
	• Quick reference IALA Buoys and Lights - systems A and B.
	• Search across the app to find buoyage, lights and IALA rules quickly
	• Find key sections quickly from the redesigned home screen
	• Supports sailing, boating and maritime training courses
	• Learn using more than 100 custom-made illustrations
	• Supports classroom instruction and independent study
	• Test your recall through interactive quizzes
	• Visual aide-mémoire when out on the water
	• Use the core reference content without an internet connection

>>> FULL APP — AD FREE | NO IN-APP PURCHASES | NO SUBSCRIPTION

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS VERSION
This major update makes IALA Buoys & Lights faster, clearer and easier to use.
	• Save Favourites
	• Reorder Favourites
	• Continue from last page viewed
	• Detailed search results
	• New gallery-style image viewer
	• Access additional Safe Skipper online quizzes
	• Share the app directly with friends
	
WHAT’S INCLUDED
	1. BUOYAGE
Explore a visual reference guide containing 70 illustrations with clear descriptions of different buoy types, their uses, appearance, variations and light characteristics.

	2. LIGHTS
Review 12 illustrations explaining the different types of lights and characteristics used by beacons and lighthouses.

	3. IALA RULES
Consult the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities guidance covering the IALA A and IALA B buoyage systems.

	4. TEST YOURSELF
Check and improve your knowledge with multiple-choice questions featuring 35 graphic representations of buoys and lights. Clearer feedback highlights correct answers and helps you learn from mistakes. You can also access an extended selection of online quizzes.

DESIGNED FOR LEARNING AND REVISION
If you are responsible for a vessel at sea, regardless of its size, you need to recognise navigation marks by day and night and understand what they mean.

Use IALA Buoys & Lights:
	• As a quick-reference and revision tool
	• As a powerful visual aide-mémoire
	• To reinforce essential maritime safety knowledge
	• To improve your knowledge and recall through quizzes
	• To support sailing, boating and maritime training courses
	• To refresh your knowledge before heading out on the water
The app’s carefully created illustrations and concise explanations make complex information easier to understand and remember.

ENDORSED BY THE BOATING COMMUNITY

>>> Used by thousands of seafarers across Great Britain, the USA, Australia, France, Canada, New Zealand and more than 50 other countries.

“I was so impressed with your Nav Lights app that I bought it and downloaded it immediately.”

“The graphics are excellent and I think this will be really useful while out at sea or at home for revision purposes.”

OTHER APPS IN THIS SERIES
	• ColRegs: Lights and Shapes provides in-depth coverage of ColRegs Rules 20–31.
	• ColRegs: The Rules of the Road covers the Steering and Sailing Rules and Sound and Light Signals sections of the IRPCS.
Improve your knowledge, test your recall and keep essential buoyage and light information close at hand with IALA Buoys & Lights.

## Key features

- IALA Systems A & B explained
- Graphic reference guide for buoys
- Graphic reference guide for lights
- Full IALA rules reproduced
- Test yourself section with multiple choice questions
- Offline functionality

## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iala-buoyage-and-lights/id503124780/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Please don’t waste your money

*2025-07-04*

Crashed and provided no value

### 1/5 — Латеральные знаки

*2024-06-14*

Очень мало информации , очень мало примеров

### 2/5 — Not as good as it could be...

*2024-03-21*

...it is not a good app to learn with as it does not quiz you in the app. It's just a reference guide, with badly sized graphics at that. Rather, you have to go to the website and do your quizzes there, which for me defeats the point of an app.

### 5/5 — A valuable resource.

*2019-05-01*

I had cause to need this info recently when out in a near gale force wind. Brilliant - I had it on my iPhone in a water proof case, and could refer to it without leaving the (very wet) helm - much better than a dash to the chart table to thumb through a book! Thank you!

### 1/5 — Crap

*2019-02-28*

Does not work, when right answer is given says wrong.

### 5/5 — Good app

*2017-11-29*

Great at a glance quick reference, which is essential when at sea.

### 5/5 — Recommended - have also bought your other two apps

*2017-11-29*

Very useful app, looks great - really good info, well presented. I have also bought your other two in the series! Recommended.

### 1/5 — Not updated with latest buoyage

*2017-01-09*

Emergency wreck mark is missing & new danger mark is of wrong colour

### 1/5 — Not worth the time or money

*2015-11-13*

The app is extremely basic, the two quizzes are just basic flash cards, no actual scenarios or buoyed channels.

### 1/5 — Misrepresentation at its best

*2015-03-03*

Quickest app deleted after buying to date. Pics show well, app is nowhere near the presentation. Best avoided. Big opportunity for someone to create a simple reference app in this category. Thought I found one but alas, they found my money only...

## Frequently asked questions about IALA Buoyage & Lights

### What is IALA Buoyage & Lights?

IALA Buoyage & Lights is a reference app designed to help seafarers quickly recognize and interpret maritime navigation buoys and light markers according to IALA Systems A & B. It includes detailed illustrations, definitions, and the full IALA rules.

### How does IALA Buoyage & Lights help improve boating skills?

The app serves as a quick reference tool and a visual aide-memoire, allowing users to easily look up buoys and lights. The 'Test Yourself' section also helps users reinforce their knowledge and recall, contributing to improved boating skills and safety on the water.

### Does IALA Buoyage & Lights require an internet connection?

No, IALA Buoyage & Lights does not require an internet connection to function. This allows for easy access to essential information while at sea or anywhere else.

### What are the main sections of IALA Buoyage & Lights?

The app is divided into four main sections: Buoyage (with 70 illustrations), Lights (with 12 illustrations), IALA Rules (reproduced in full), and a 'Test Yourself' section with multiple-choice questions.

### Is IALA Buoyage & Lights suitable for both recreational and professional seafarers?

Yes, IALA Buoyage & Lights is designed for all recreational and professional seafarers. It provides essential quick reference knowledge for understanding the world buoyage systems.

### What is the price of IALA Buoyage & Lights?

IALA Buoyage & Lights is a paid application, priced at $3.99. This one-time purchase provides access to all its features and information.

### How often is IALA Buoyage & Lights updated?

The latest version of IALA Buoyage & Lights is 8.2.0, last updated on June 12, 2019. While updates may not be frequent, the core information provided is based on established IALA standards.

### What devices is IALA Buoyage & Lights compatible with?

IALA Buoyage & Lights is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed to be accessible on a range of Apple mobile devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 10.0.1 — 2026-08-11

This major update makes IALA Buoys & Lights faster, clearer and easier to use.
  • Save Favourites
  • Reorder Favourites
  • Continue from last page viewed
  • Detailed search results
  • New gallery-style image viewer
  • Access additional Safe Skipper online quizzes
  • Share the app directly with friends
  • Updated promotional screengrabs

### 10.0.0 — 2026-08-04

This major update makes IALA Buoys & Lights faster, clearer and easier to use.
  • Save Favourites
  • Reorder Favourites
  • Continue from last page viewed
  • Detailed search results
  • New gallery-style image viewer
  • Access additional Safe Skipper online quizzes
  • Share the app directly with friends

### 8.2.0 — 2019-06-12

Now with access to our extended range of online test-yourself quizzes. Used by seafarers worldwide to improve and test their knowledge.

### 7.0 — 2015-07-07

Updated with many improvements for the latest devices, including new image pinch & zoom, better styling and lots of other small tweaks for better performance. Thank you to everyone who has made suggestions on how to make the app even better than before!

### 6 — 2013-04-17

Thanks for all the positive emails & feedback - we've used it to make an even better version of the original - now in use by 1000's of seafarers worldwide.

## Apps similar to IALA Buoyage & Lights

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Maritime Master - Nav Lights](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maritime-master-nav-lights/id6747762523) | — | $1.99 | Reference |
| [Sailing Reference](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailing-reference/id978062677) | — | $2.99 | Reference |

## More apps by The Other Hat

- [ColRegs: Nav Lights & Shapes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colregs-nav-lights-and-shapes/id485271634)
- [ColRegs: Rules of the Road](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/colregs-rules-of-the-road/id494839562)
- [Growing Organic Vegetables](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/growing-organic-vegetables/id591810446)
- [Grow Your Own Organic Herbs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grow-your-own-organic-herbs/id595959143)
- [Safe Skipper: Boating Safety](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/safe-skipper-boating-safety/id625297113)

All apps by The Other Hat: https://appshunter.io/developer/573973071

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-29.*
