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US Buoyage

Cardinal marks

Technical visualCardinal marks
Cardinal marksFour cardinal-mark diagrams show black and yellow bands and paired cone topmarks for north, east, south, and west references.CARDINAL MARKS — CHART REFERENCE North cardinal referenceEast cardinal referenceSouth cardinal referenceWest cardinal reference
Cardinal marksFour cardinal-mark diagrams show black and yellow bands and paired cone topmarks for north, east, south, and west references. 123451CARDINAL MARKS — CHARTREFERENCE2North cardinal reference3East cardinal reference4South cardinal reference5West cardinal reference

Black/yellow bands, cone topmarks and light groups encode the quadrant.

Cardinal marks can be relevant in international chart contexts. They do not replace the ordinary U.S. lateral system.

Cardinal marks indicate that navigable water lies to the named cardinal side of a danger:

North

East

South

West

Their black/yellow bands, cone topmarks and quick or very-quick light groups encode the quadrant.

They are recognized in international chart symbology and can be relevant in U.S.-connected navigation contexts, but they are not the primary lateral marking system most recreational boaters encounter on ordinary U.S. IALA-B waterways.

Do not omit them from the reference library, but do not teach them as if they replace the ordinary U.S. lateral system.

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