IALA Cardinal Marks
Cardinal marks indicate the direction of safe water relative to the mark using compass quadrants (N, E, S, W).
Cardinal marks indicate that the navigable water lies on the named side of the mark. They use black and yellow horizontal bands and two black cone topmarks.
North Cardinal: pass to the north. Topmark: two cones pointing UP. Colours: black above yellow. Light: continuous quick or very quick flashing.
East Cardinal: pass to the east. Topmark: two cones base to base. Colours: black-yellow-black. Light: 3 quick flashes (3 o'clock).
South Cardinal: pass to the south. Topmark: two cones pointing DOWN. Colours: yellow above black. Light: 6 quick flashes + 1 long flash (6 o'clock).
West Cardinal: pass to the west. Topmark: two cones point to point. Colours: yellow-black-yellow. Light: 9 quick flashes (9 o'clock).
Puntos Clave
North: cones up, black over yellow, continuous flashing
East: cones base-to-base, BYB, 3 flashes (3 o'clock)
South: cones down, yellow over black, 6+1 flashes (6 o'clock)
West: cones point-to-point, YBY, 9 flashes (9 o'clock)
Errores Frecuentes
Confusing east (3 flashes) and west (9 flashes) cardinals
Passing on the wrong side of a cardinal mark
Pon a Prueba tus Conocimientos
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