Cardinal Marks - Sailing Buoys

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Cardinal Marks

Theory

Named after the cardinal parts of the compass, they indicate the position of a danger

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

North Cardinal Mark
Colour
Black over Yellow
Shapes
Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
Top Marks
Two cones pointing up
Lights
White, Q or VQ
Chart Symbol
North Cardinal Mark - Chart Symbol

East Cardinal Mark

East Cardinal Mark
Colour
Black Yellow Black
Shapes
Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
Top Marks
Two cones pointing away from each other
Lights
White, Q(3) 15s or VQ(3) 5s
Chart Symbol
East Cardinal Mark - Chart Symbol

South Cardinal Mark

South Cardinal Mark
Colour
Yellow over Black
Shapes
Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
Top Marks
Two cones pointing down
Lights
White, Q(6) + LFl 15s or VQ(6) + LFl 10s
Chart Symbol
South Cardinal Mark - Chart Symbol

West Cardinal Mark

West Cardinal Mark
Colour
Yellow Black Yellow
Shapes
Any shape but most commonly pillar or spar
Top Marks
Two cones pointing towards each other
Lights
White, Q(9) 15s or VQ(9) 10s
Chart Symbol
West Cardinal Mark - Chart Symbol