A cardinal mark is used to signify a danger and show where the safest water can be found. Cardinal marks indicate the direction of safety as a compass direction relative to the mark.A cardinal mark is named after the quadrant in which it is placed. Due to the unique way cardinal marks use the points of a compass to signal safety it makes them meaningful regardless of the direction of the approaching vessel.
Cardinal marks have distinctive black and yellow markings and top-marks.
Cardinal marks can be used to show the following:
- The deepest water on an area on the named side of the mark.
- The safe side on which to pass a danger.
- Draw attention to a feature in a channel such as a bend.
- junction or end of a shoal.
NORTH
- Color: BLACK Band Above YELLOW Band.
- Shape: Pillar Or Spar.
- Top-Mark (When Fitted): Two BLACK Cones Pointed Up.
- Retroreflector: BLUE On The BLACK Part And YELLOW On The YELLOW Part.
- Lights (When Fitted):
- Color: WHITE.
- Rhythm:
- Un-Interrupted Quick Flashing (Q).
- Un-Interrupted Very Quick Flashing (VQ).
QUICK FLASHING (Q)
VERY QUICK FLASHING
EAST
- Color: BLACK Bands Above And Below YELLOW Band.
- Shape: Pillar Or Spar.
- Top-Mark (When Fitted): Two BLACK Cones Pointed Outward.
- Retroreflector: Two BLUE On The Upper BLACK Part.
- Lights (When Fitted):
- Color: WHITE.
- Rhythm:
- Quick Flashing (Q): 3 Flashes Every 10 Seconds.
- Very Quick Flashing (VQ): 3 Flashes Every 5 Seconds.
QUICK FLASHING (Q)
VERY QUICK FLASHING
SOUTH
- Color: BLACK Band Below YELLOW Band.
- Shape: Pillar Or Spar.
- Top-Mark (When Fitted): Two BLACK Cones Pointed Down.
- Retroreflector: YELLOW On The YELLOW Part And BLUE On The BLACK Part.
- Lights (When Fitted):
- Color: WHITE.
- Rhythm:
- Quick Flashing (Q): 6 Flashes + Long Flash Every 15 Seconds.
- Very Quick Flashing (VQ): 6 Flashes + Long Flash Every 10 Seconds.
QUICK FLASHING (Q)
VERY QUICK FLASHING
WEST
- Color: BLACK Band With YELLOW Bands Above And Below.
- Shape: Pillar Or Spar.
- Top-Mark (When Fitted): Two BLACK Cones Pointed Inward.
- Retroreflector: Two YELLOW On The Upper YELLOW Part.
- Lights (When Fitted):
- Color: WHITE.
- Rhythm:
- Quick Flashing (Q): 9 Flashes Every 15 Seconds.
- Very Quick Flashing (VQ): 9 Flashes Every 10 Seconds.