If you observe a buoy marked with green and red horizontal bands, what light characteristic will it have?

The buoy marked with green and red horizontal bands indicates it is a specific type of buoy known as a "preferred channel buoy." These buoys are used to guide vessels through a channel or mark safe passages. Depending on the color orientation of the bands, they signify which side of the buoy a vessel should pass.

In this instance, for a buoy with green (typically located above) and red horizontal bands, it will exhibit a light characteristic of composite group flashing. This means that the light will flash in a repeated pattern that combines both colors, signaling to mariners that they should navigate according to the colored markings.

Understanding the characteristics of buoys is essential for safe navigation. The preferred channel marks can help identify safe passages in narrow or challenging waters, and recognizing the light patterns aids in nighttime or low-visibility situations.