IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM

Prepared by : Tay Zar Soe Lwin

Buoy Used for … Topmark Light Shape Retroreflector

Region A Red Light other than :
Generally used for well Red
defined channels, in 1.Composite Group (2+1) which Can,
conjunction with a is for Preferred Channel marks, Pillar or
Lateral Marks

"Conventional Direction of Can-shaped Spar Red band or

Buoyage" 2.Quick or Very Quick which is Square
Port-hand for New Danger
Region A Green Light other than :
Generally used for well Green
defined channels, in 1.Composite Group (2+1) which Conical,
conjunction with a is for Preferred Channel marks, Pillar or
"Conventional Direction of Conical Spar Green band or
Buoyage" 2.Quick or Very Quick which is Square
Starboard-hand for New Danger
Region A At the point where a channel
divides, when proceeding in the Red light : Red
Preferred Channel Marks

conventional direction of Composite group flashing (2+1) Can,

buoyage, a preferred channel Pillar or
is indicated by a modified port Can-shaped Spar
or starboard hand Lateral
To Starboard mark.
Region A At the point where a channel
divides, when proceeding in the Gree n light : Green
conventional direction of Composite group flashing (2+1) Conical,
buoyage, a preferred channel Pillar or
is indicated by a modified port Conical Spar
or starboard hand Lateral
To Port mark.
 IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM

Prepared by : Tay Zar Soe Lwin

Buoy Used for … Topmark Light Shape Retroreflector

North Cardinal 1. To indicate the deepest
water in an area is on named
side of the mark Uninterrupted lignt. Pillar or
2. Indicate the safe side to Spar
pass (if a buoy)
3. Draw attention to a feature Topmark Blue on the Black
Black band above in a channel such as a bend, points up part and Yellow on
Yellow band. junction, bifurcation or end Yellow part.
of a shoal.
East Cardinal 1. To indicate the deepest
Cardinal Marks

water in an area is on named

side of the mark 3 flashes in a group. Pillar or
2. Indicate the safe side to Spar
pass (if a buoy)
3. Draw attention to a feature Topmark points 2 Blue on the upper
Black bands above in a channel such as a bend, outward Black part.
and below Yellow junction, bifurcation or end
band. of a shoal.
South Cardinal 1. To indicate the deepest
water in an area is on named
side of the mark 6 flashes in a group followed by Pillar or
2. Indicate the safe side to a long flash Spar
pass (if a buoy)
3. Draw attention to a feature Topmark points Yellow on Yellow part
Black band below in a channel such as a bend, down and Blue on the Black
Yellow band. junction, bifurcation or end part.
of a shoal.
 IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM

Prepared by : Tay Zar Soe Lwin

Buoy Used for … Topmark Light Shape Retroreflector

West Cardinal 1. To indicate the deepest
water in an area is on named
Cardinal Mark

side of the mark 9 flashes in a group. Pillar or

2. Indicate the safe side to Spar
pass (if a buoy)
3. Draw attention to a feature Topmark points
Black band between in a channel such as a bend, inward 2 Yellow on the upper
Yellow bands. junction, bifurcation or end Yellow part.
of a shoal.

Isolated Danger marks are

Isolated Danger

erected on, or moored on or A White flashing light showing Pillar or

above, isolated dangers of a group of two flashes. Spar
limited extent which have Two Black (if a buoy)
navigable water all around spheres positioned
Black with one or them. vertically and
more Red horizontal clearly separated
bands.
Used to indicate that there is
Safe Water Marks

navigable water all around a Light (when fitted): White,

mark. Such a mark may be Isophase, or Occulting, or Spherical,
used as a : Long-Flashing every 10 seconds Pillar or
1. Centreline Red sphere or Morse Code ( A ). Spar or
2. Mid-channel
Red and White 3. Landfall buoy or
stripes are used. 4. To indicate the best point of
passage under fixed bridge.
 IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM

Prepared by : Tay Zar Soe Lwin

Buoy Used for … Topmark Light Shape Retroreflector

To indicate the mariner a
special area or feature, the Shape is
nature of which is apparent Light (when fitted): Yellow, optional,
from reference to a chart, and may have any rhythm but they
Sailing Direction or Notices to not used for White lights. must not
Mariners. It may be lettered to A single Yellow X conflict
Special Marks

indicate their purpose. is the form of with or

Yellow colour Uses include the marking of ; Top-mark used for those used
used. 1. Ocean Data Acquisition a "Special Mark" , for
System (ODAS) buoys; when one is a Lateral
2. Traffic Separation Scheme; carried. or
3. Spoil ground; Safe Water
4. Military Exercise Zone; Marks.
5. Cables or Pipeline, including
outfall pipes;
6. Recreation Zone.
A newly discovered hazard to
Cardinal (or) navigation not yet shown on If danger is A Quick or Very Quick light.
Lateral marks charts or included in Sailing especially grave Cardinal
one or more, are Directions, nor sufficiently at least one of the If "Cardinal Mark", it will Mark.
New Dangers

used to mark promulgated by Notices to marks will be exhibit a "White Light".

in accordance Mariners, is termed "New duplicated, as soon Or
with the IALA Danger". The term covers as practicable, by If "Lateral Mark", it will
System. naturally occuring obstructions an identical mark, exhibit a " Red " or " Green " Lateral
such as a sandbacks or rocks, until the danger Light. Mark.
and man-made dangers such has been If "Racon", Morse Code "A"
as wrecks. sufficiently signal length of 1 nautical mile
promulgated.
IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM
IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM
IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM
IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM
IALA BUOYAGE SYSTEM