Cardinal MarkIALA System
West Cardinal Mark
Identification guide and characteristics for safe navigation.
Indicates that the deepest water or safe passage is to the West of the mark. The topmark resembles the shape of a wineglass.
👁️ Visual Characteristics
Color Scheme
Yellow with a single broad Black horizontal band
Topmark
Two black cones point to point
Buoy Shape
Pillar or Spar
💡 Night Identification (Light)
Color of Light
White
Light Rhythm
Q(9) 15s or VQ(9) 10s
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.