Final answer:
A red and white vertically-striped buoy under the IALA Buoyage Systems doesn't have a specific topmark it needs to adhere to. Instead, it's the Cardinal Marks' buoys that have distinctive topmarks, in the form of two black cones. The positioning of these cones varies based on the safest deep water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the IALA Buoyage Systems, a red and white vertically-striped buoy is known as a Cardinal Mark. This type of buoy is used to indicate where the safest water is by using a compass direction of the buoy as a reference. The buoys are painted in combinations of black and yellow and have unique top marks. The significance of the topmark depends on the direction of the safest water. The topmark for a cardinal buoy uses cones to point to the area of safe water.
The red and white vertically-striped buoy doesn't have any typical topmark itself. Generally, it's the Cardinal Marks' buoys that have distinctive topmarks in the form of two black cones. The style of these topmarks varies based on the position of the safest deep water in relation to the mark, according to the information provided through the IALA Buoyage System.
Learn more about IALA Buoyage Systems