1. BUOYAGE

2. 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

3. Lateral Marks: Safe Water Mark: Isolated Danger Mark: Special Mark:
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

4. 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

6. Safe Water Mark Isolated Danger Mark The water all around is free from
obstruction or shallows
Single red sphere topmark
Calm, white light
Vertical stripes – safe!
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!

8. Cardinal Marks 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

10. N E W S

11. 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

13. By Vlado Samardzic