This document discusses buoyage systems which are used to mark navigational routes and hazards at sea. It describes the two main buoyage regions, IALA A and B, which differ only in their use of lateral marks to mark channels. The document provides details on the types of buoys used, including lateral, cardinal, special, emergency wreck, isolated danger, and safe water buoys. It explains what each type of buoy indicates and their distinctive light sequences to help ships navigate safely.

1. BUOYAGE
WWW.MARINE-EDUCATION.CO.UK

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WHAT IS BUOYAGE?
▸ Signposting of the Sea !

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BUOYAGE SYSTEMS
▸ IALA = International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
▸ IALA Region A = Europe, Africa, Australia, India & Most of Asia
▸ IALA Region B = Japan, Korea, Phillipines, North, South & Central
America
▸ All buoys are the same in both regions EXCEPT lateral marks

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IALA A & B BUOYAGE REGIONS

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OVERVIEW: TYPES OF BUOYS & WHAT THEY TELL US?
▸ Lateral - mark sides of channels
▸ Cardinal - show where safe water is
▸ Special - show areas of special interest
▸ Emergency Wreck - marks a new wreck
▸ Isolated Danger - marks a hazard
▸ Safe Water - best point of passage

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NORTH CARDINAL MARK
▸ What they tell us? Safe Water to
the North
▸ Light Sequence: White light, either
Quick (Q) or Very Quick (VQ)
Flashes Continuously
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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SOUTH CARDINAL MARK
▸ What they tell us? Safe Water to
the South
▸ Light Sequence: White light, either
6 x Quick (Q) + 1 long or 6 x Very
Quick (VQ) Flashes + 1 long
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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EAST CARDINAL MARK
▸ What they tell us? Safe Water to
the East
▸ Light Sequence: White light, either
3 x Quick (Q) + or 3 x Very Quick
(VQ) Flashes
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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WEST CARDINAL MARK
▸ What they tell us? Safe Water to
the West
▸ Light Sequence: White light, either
9 x Quick (Q) + or 9 x Very Quick
(VQ) Flashes
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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ISOLATED DANGER MARK
▸ What they tell us? Marks an area of
isolated danger - keep away!
▸ Light Sequence: White light x 2
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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EMERGENCY WRECK MARK
▸ What they tell us? Marks a new
wreck of obstruction until it is
removed or a permanent form of
marking can be deployed.
▸ Light Sequence: Alternating blue &
yellow 1 second flashes with an
interval of 0.5 seconds
E.G. of Chart Symbols - won’t be
seen on a chart as only temporary
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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SPECIAL MARK
▸ What they tell us? An area of
special interest - refer to a chart for
more info i.e. oyster beds, waterski
area, swim zones etc.
▸ Light Sequence: (if it has one)
Yellow flashing (various sequences
dependant on area - refer to chart)
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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SAFE WATER MARK
▸ What they tell us? An area of safe
water
▸ Light Sequence: White flashing
(various sequences dependant on
area - refer to chart)
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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STARBOARD LATERAL MARKS (IALA A)
▸ What they tell us? Marks the right
hand side of a channel leading into
a harbour / estuary.
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Green
(various sequences, dependant on
area - refer to chart for specific
sequence information)
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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STARBOARD LATERAL MARKS (IALA B)
▸ What they tell us? Marks the right
hand side of a channel leading into
a harbour / estuary.
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Red
(various sequences, dependant on
area - refer to chart for specific
sequence information)
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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PORT LATERAL MARKS (IALA A)
▸ What they tell us? Marks the left
hand side of a channel leading into
a harbour / estuary.
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Red
(various sequences, dependant on
area - refer to chart for specific
sequence information)
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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PORT LATERAL MARKS (IALA B)
▸ What they tell us? Marks the left
hand side of a channel leading into
a harbour / estuary.
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Geen
(various sequences, dependant on
area - refer to chart for specific
sequence information)
E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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PREFERRED CHANNEL TO PORT MARKS (IALA A)
▸ What they tell us? You can go
either side, but port is the
preferred side
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Green
2+1 (2 flashes then a gap, then 1
flash then a longer gap) E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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PREFERRED CHANNEL TO PORT MARKS (IALA B)
▸ What they tell us? You can go
either side, but port is the
preferred side
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Red 2+1
(2 flashes then a gap, then 1 flash
then a longer gap) E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:

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PREFERRED CHANNEL TO STARBOARD MARKS (IALA A)
▸ What they tell us? You can go
either side, but starboard is the
preferred side
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Red 2+1
(2 flashes then a gap, then 1 flash
then a longer gap) E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !

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PREFERRED CHANNEL TO STARBOARD MARKS (IALA B)
▸ What they tell us? You can go
either side, but starboard is the
preferred side
▸ Light Sequence: Flashes Green
2+1 (2 flashes then a gap, then 1
flash then a longer gap) E.G. of Chart Symbols:
E.G. of Shapes:
E.G. of a real one !