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Hazardous areas are generally marked by Cardinal Marks, of which there are 4 distinct types, each representing the cardinal points of the compass (north, east, south and west). Northerly marks show that there is clear water to the north; south to the south and so on.
Each type of cardinal mark can be disinguished by colour, light sequence or the shape of the topmark.
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Top mark shape
On top of each cardinal mark are two black cones. Depending on the type, the cones point in different directions.
North cardinals have two cones pointing upwards, south - two townwards. East appears to have two cones pointing away from each other and westerly cardinal marks have two pointing towards each other.
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Colour
As shown, all cardinals marks are yellow and black. The banding of the buoys depends on its nature. An easy way to remember the colour pattern is to visualise which way each cone on the top mark is pointing. The black bands appear in these directions.
Example - On a westerly cardinal the two cones point inwards together, so the black band is in the middle, whereas an easterly mark shows two cones pointing away from each other, so the black bands are on top and bottom.
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Light Characteristics
In general:
- North Cardinals flash a continuous Quick or Very Quick white flash (Q / VQ)
- East Cardinals flash 3 Quick white every 10s or 3 Very Quick white every 5s(Q(3)10s / VQ(3)5s)
- South Cardinals flash 6 Quick and 1 Long white every 15s or 6 Very Quick white and one Long white every 10s (Q(6) LFl 15s / VQ(6) LFl 10s)
- West Cardinals flash 9 Quick every 15s or 9 Very Quick white every 10s (Q(9)15s / VQ(9)10s)
HANDY HINT Two different characteristics are given for each type of Cardinal mark to enable better identification in areas where there may be confusion. The southerly cardinal's light sequences contain a long flash to distinguish it from the westerly cardinal.
It may also be easier to consider the Cardinal points on a clock face. Eg. East at 3 o'clock = 3 flashes, West at 9 o'clock = 9 flashes etc.
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