Cardinal MarkIALA System
East Cardinal Mark
Identification guide and characteristics for safe navigation.
Indicates that the deepest water or safe passage is to the East of the mark. The topmark resembles the shape of an egg.
👁️ Visual Characteristics
Color Scheme
Black with a single broad Yellow horizontal band
Topmark
Two black cones base to base
Buoy Shape
Pillar or Spar
💡 Night Identification (Light)
Color of Light
White
Light Rhythm
Q(3) 10s or VQ(3) 5s
IALA Regions
The world is divided into two IALA regions (A and B). While Cardinal, Isolated Danger, Safe Water, and Special marks are the same globally, Lateral Marks have different color conventions depending on the region.
- Region A: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Gulf and some Asian countries.
- Region B: Americas, Japan, South Korea, Philippines.