Buoyage Paul Brown Coming up: A brief introduction to buoyage The different types of marks and their usage Distinguishing marks by day and night

IALA Regions World split into 2 regions: IALA A (most of the world) and IALA B (Americas, Japan, Korea, Philippines) Few differences between these systems, the most striking being the Direction of Buoyage Marks distinguished by Shape, Colour, Light, Topmark

Lateral Marks Used to show well established channels, indicating the port and starboard sides of the channel Port Mark Always red Can-shaped topmark Red flashing light Starboard Mark Always green Cone-shaped topmark Green flashing light

Safe Water Mark The water all around is free from obstruction or shallows Single red sphere topmark Calm, white light Vertical stripes – safe! Isolated Danger Mark Marks an isolated danger, such as an old anchor, a large rock Water around the mark should be safe, but do not pass too close 2 black spheres for topmark White light showing group of 2 flashes Horizontal stripes – danger!

Cardinal Marks

Cardinal Marks (2) ● Named after the cardinal points of the compass ● Each mark has different topmark, stripe and light pattern ● Light patterns as per hours of the clock(12, 3, 6, 9) ● All lights flash white, quick or very quick ● South Cardinal has long flash at end to avoid confusion ● Cardinals might be used to indicate split in channel, end of a bank/shoal, large wreck or submerged object

Special Mark Indicates special area – e.g. wreck, sewage pipe Mark is yellow in colour Single yellow cross topmark Light is yellow, any rhythm other than those used for cardinal, isolated danger or safe water marks

Summary Lateral Marks: Used to indicate established channels Starboard – green colour – cone shaped – green light Port – red colour – can shaped – red light Safe Water Mark: Shows that water all around in clear from obstruction Red and white vertical stripes – red sphere top mark – long white flash / 10s Isolated Danger Mark: Indicates an isolated danger that has clear water all around Black and red horizontal stripes – 2 black spheres topmark – white flash groups of 2 Special Mark: Indicates special area, could be cable or pipelines, wreck Yellow in colour – yellow cross topmark – yellow flashing light

Questions? Further Reading: The RYA Powerboat Handbook – Paul Glatzel The Ocean Navigation Guide – Tim Bartlett The Day Skipper – Tom Cunliffe