Other MarkIALA System
Special Mark
Identification guide and characteristics for safe navigation.
Used to indicate a special area or feature, such as ocean data acquisition systems (ODAS), traffic separation marks, spoil grounds, or military exercise zones.
👁️ Visual Characteristics
Color Scheme
Yellow
Topmark
Single Yellow 'X' shape
Buoy Shape
Optional, but must not conflict with lateral marks
💡 Night Identification (Light)
Color of Light
Yellow
Light Rhythm
Any rhythm not used for white lights (e.g., Fl Y, Fl(4) Y)
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.