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IALA Safe Water Marks
Indicate navigable water all around. Red and white vertical stripes with a single red sphere topmark.
Safe water marks indicate that there is navigable water all around the mark. They are used as fairway, mid-channel, or landfall marks.
- Colour: red and white vertical stripes - Topmark: single red sphere (ball) - Light: white, isophase, occulting, or one long flash every 10 seconds - Shape: spherical, pillar, or spar
Key Takeaways
1
Navigable water all around — safe to pass on any side
2
Red and white vertical stripes
3
Single red ball topmark
4
Used as fairway, mid-channel, or landfall marks
Common Mistakes
Confusing with lateral marks — safe water marks have vertical stripes
Not recognizing the single red sphere topmark
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