As you enter a channel from seaward in a U.S. port, how do the numbers on the starboard side buoys behave?

When entering a channel from seaward in a U.S. port, the numbers on the starboard side buoys increase, and these buoys are colored red. This follows the standard IALA buoyage system that the United States adheres to, known as the "Lateral System" of navigation.

The starboard side of the channel is marked by red buoys, which are known to have even numbers, while the port side is marked by green buoys with odd numbers. As mariners proceed inward from the sea, the convention is that the numbering of buoys will increase. This increase in numbers signals that a vessel is progressing deeper into the channel and helps in identifying the buoys as they navigate.

Understanding this color and numbering system is crucial for safe navigation, as it helps ensure that vessels stay properly oriented within the channel, thereby avoiding hazards and ensuring effective passage through narrow or congested waters.