Buoyage systems and types of buoys Lateral system is subdivided into two separate systems: the IALA – A system and IALA – B system IALA _ International Association Lighthouse Authorities

Types of Buoy Lateral Mark Used to denote a channel or the extremities of a channel Cardinal Mark Denotes extremities of a hazard. Isolated Danger Mark Marks a danger of limited horizontal extent Special Mark Denotes special areas; recreation, outfalls, channel with a channel etc. Safe Water Mark Navigationally significant safe water; TSS, Landfall buoys

Buoy Shapes Spar Pillar Sphere Can Cone Barrel

Direction of Buoyage Clockwise round continents and into rivers. Cans to Port and cones to starboard. There are two buoyage regions, A and B

Buoyage Regions Region A Europe, Africa, Most of Asia, Australia Port Buoys are Red, Starboard Buoys are Green Region B North and South America, Japan, Korea, Philippines Port Buoys are Green, Starboard Buoys are Red This effects lateral marks and special marks, and for this reason we deal with the shape of the buoy not the colour. Remember CANS to PORT, CONES to STARBOARD

Port Hand Lateral Marks (A) Can Be Spar, Pillar or Can Top Mark is a single, red can Red Light Rhythm is any except 2+1

Starboard Hand Lateral Marks (A) Can Be Spar, Pillar or Cone Top Mark is a single, green cone Green Light Rhythm is any except 2+1

Preferred channel to Starboard (A) Same as Port lateral mark but with green band Top Mark is a single, red can Red Light Rhythm is 2+1

Preferred Channel to Port (A) Same as STBD lateral mark but with red band Top Mark is a single, green cone Green Light Rhythm is 2+1

Port Hand Lateral Marks (B) Can Be Spar, Pillar or Can Top Mark is a single, green can Green Light Rhythm is any except 2+1

Starboard Hand Lateral Marks (B) Can Be Spar, Pillar or Cone Top Mark is a single, red cone Red Light Rhythm is any except 2+1

Preferred channel to Starboard (B) Same as Port lateral mark but with red band Top Mark is a single, green can Green Light Rhythm is 2+1

Preferred Channel to Port (B) Same as STBD lateral mark but with green band Top Mark is a single, red cone Red Light Rhythm is 2+1

Cardinal marks are used to indicate safe side on which to pass danger

North Cardinal Mark Black/Yellow Two Cones Apexes pointing up Safe Water lies to the North of the buoy White Light Rhythm – continuous flashing

East Cardinal Mark Black/Yellow/Black Two Cones bases together Safe Water lies to the East of the buoy White Light Rhythm – 3 flashes Q 10s, VQ 5s

South Cardinal Mark Yellow/Black Two Cones Apexes pointing down Safe Water lies to the South of the buoy White Light Rhythm – 6 quick + 1 long flash Quick in 15s or Very Quick in 10s

West Cardinal Mark Yellow/Black/Yellow Two Cones apexes together Safe Water lies to the West of the buoy White Light Rhythm – 9 flashes Q 15s, VQ 10s

New Dangers Cardinal Marks are doubled-up for new dangers. Racon (D) is sometimes fitted to the buoy.

Isolated Danger Mark Black/Red Stripes Two black spheres in a vertical line White Light Group Flash (2) Safe Navigable water all around (erected on or moored above the danger)

Safe Water Marks Red and white vertical stripes. Red Sphere White Light Morse A Long Flash every 10s Occulting Isophase Navigable water al around the mark e.g mid channel , landfall mark

Special Marks Yellow buoy of any shape Yellow St. Andrews Cross Can and cone shaped marks to be treated as lateral marks. Yellow Light Any Rhythm not used for a white light Indicates special features in fairway that can be looked up in pilot book

ODAS Buoys Ocean Data Acquisition System Spherical Buoy Marked “ODAS” No Topmark Yellow Light 5 flashes every 20 seconds O D A S

Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy Yellow and Blue vertical stripes Yellow vertical cross Signifies New Wrecks Yellow and Blue alternating flashing light. Each flash lasts for 1s with 0.5s interval

Retro-reflective Tape Buoys are fitted with retro-reflective tape to aid identification. Lateral Marks Preferred Channel Regions A & B North Cardinal Special Mark East Cardinal Isolated Danger Mark South Cardinal West Cardinal Safe Water Mark