Cardinal Marks
Named after the cardinal parts of the compass, they indicate the position of a danger
Test Summary
Difficulty:
980 Number of times this test has been taken.
86% The average score for this test.
86% The average score for this test.
Named after the cardinal parts of the compass, North, East, South, and West, cardinal marks indicate the position of a danger and the direction of the safe side on which to pass it. Cardinal Marks are constant in both IALA buoyage systems with distinctive yellow and black colours, topmarks, and white lights.
North Cardinal Mark
- Colour
- Black over Yellow
- Shapes
- Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
- Top Marks
- 2 cones pointing up
- Lights
- White, Q or VQ
- Chart Symbol
East Cardinal Mark
- Colour
- Black Yellow Black
- Shapes
- Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
- Top Marks
- 2 cones pointing away from each other
- Lights
- White, Q(3) 15s or VQ(3) 5s
- Chart Symbol
South Cardinal Mark
- Colour
- Yellow over Black
- Shapes
- Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
- Top Marks
- 2 cones down
- Lights
- White, Q(6) + LFl 15s or VQ(6) + LFl 10s
- Chart Symbol
West Cardinal Mark
- Colour
- Yellow Black Yellow
- Shapes
- Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
- Top Marks
- 2 cones pointing towards each other
- Lights
- White, Q(9) 15s or VQ(9) 10s
- Chart Symbol
Tests
Taking a test can be a great way to build on what you have learnt already and build confidence before taking a formal qualification test. The Cardinal Marks test consists of 5 questions randomly chosen from a selection.
980
Total Tests Taken
86%
Average Score