South Australia

Beacons & Markers  Night Navigation & Lighting

Navigation Beacons & Markers

The IALA Maritime Buoyage System "A"

It is essential that mariners have a sound knowledge of 
navigation aids. A thorough understanding of Buoyage 
System "A" is important. Please study these illustrations 
carefully and help make our waters safer. 

Description of Buoyage System "A"

Many countries throughout the world have agreed to the 
use of a uniform coding system of navigational marks.

The system developed with the assistance of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities, has been in wide use since late 1983.

Buoyage System "A" provides a better organised and safer way of coding our navigational marks.

Types of Marks
  1. Lateral indicates port and starboard hand sides of channels.
  2. Cardinal indicates that deeper water lies to the 
    direction shown e.g. to the north, south, east or west.
  3. Isolated Danger indicates isolated dangers of limited extent with navigable waters all round them – but don’t pass too close.
  4. Safe Water indicates that there is navigable water all round and under the position e.g. mid channel buoy.
  5. Special indicates special features e.g. spoil grounds, or prohibited anchorages.

Entering Port:  Upon entering a port the port hand mark (red) should be passed on your vessel’s port side.

Entering Port

Leaving Port:  When departing a port the port hand buoy (red) should be passed on your vessel’s starboard side.

Leaving Port

Lateral Marks
They are usually positioned to define well-established 
channels and indicate port and starboard hand sides of 
the navigation route into a port. 

Where there may be any doubt, the direction of buoyage 
may be indicated on charts by the symbol.   Lateral Marks
 
Port mark – is coloured red and the basic shape is a "can"
  
Starboard mark – is coloured green and the basic shape is a "conical".

By night – a port buoy shows a red light and a starboard buoy shows a green light (any

Lateral Marks
 rhythm may be used).

Cardinal Marks
A cardinal mark indicates where the "best and safest water" may be found and is used in conjunction with the compass.

Cardinal Marks

The mariner is safe if passing –

  1. North of the north mark
  2. East of the east mark
  3. South of the south mark
  4. West of the west mark

A Cardinal mark may indicate –

  • The "deepest water" in the area;
  • The safe side on which to pass a danger and to draw attention to a feature in a channel such as a bend, junction or an end of a shoal.

Topmark:  Black double cones clearly separated.

Colours:  "Black and yellow horizontal bands" with position of the black band or bands relative to the respective cardinal points.

North:  Topmark points up, black band above yellow band.

East:  Topmark points outward, black bands above and below yellow band.

South:  Topmark points down, black band below yellow band.

West:  Topmark points inward, black band between yellow bands.

Lights:  A cardinal mark exhibits a "white light" and its quadrant is distinguished by a specific group of "quick" or "very quick flashes".

The frequency of the flashes are:

North:  Uninterrupted flash.

East:  3 flashes in a group.

South:  6 flashes in a group followed by a long flash.

West:  9 flashes in a group.

To aid your memory, associate the number of flashes of each group with that of a clock face, three o’clock east, six o’clock south, nine o’clock west.
  
To ensure that no confusion occurs between east, south		 Clock Face

and west marks a long flash immediately follows the 6 flashes of the south mark.

Note: It is not normal to find cardinal marks or lights in small craft channels.

Isolated Danger Marks

Isolated Danger Marks designate an "isolated danger of limited extent" which has navigable water all round it e.g., an isolated shoal, rock or wreck.
  
Topmark:  Two black spheres positioned vertically and clearly separated.
Colours:  Black with one or more red bands horizontally. Danger Marks
Lights:  A white flashing light showing a group of two flashes.
  
The characteristics may be best remembered by association of "two flashes" with "two spheres" as the topmarks.
  

Safe Water Marks

Safe Water Marks indicate that there is "navigable water" all around the mark, e.g. mid channel or landfalls buoy.
  
Colours:  Red and white vertical stripes

Topmark:  A single red sphere.

Lights:  Exhibits a white light, 

 Safe Water Marks
isophase, occulting, or "single long flash" every 10 seconds or morse A. "Single flash" and a "single sphere" association may help in remembering these characteristics.
  
Special Marks

Special Marks indicate a "special area" or "feature" such as :

  • Traffic separation marks
  • Spoil ground marks
  • Cable or pipe line marks including outfall pipes

Also to define a "channel within a channel". e.g. a channel for deep draught vessels in a wide estuary where the limits of the channel for normal navigation are marked by red and green buoys.
  
Topmark:  When a topmark is carried it takes the form of a "single yellow X".

Colours:  Yellow

 Special Marks
Lights:  A yellow light with any rhythm, other than those used for the white lights of cardinal, isolated danger and safe water marks.
  
Variations in the design of buoys will exist in many areas. The illustrations indicate the approved shapes, colouring and topmarks

Top

Night Navigation & Lights

 

Navigating at night requires special care and attention. Boats operating from sunset to sunrise must carry and exhibit the correct lights, whether at anchor or under way. A vessel is considered to be under way when not anchored, moored to the shore or aground.

Navigation lights must also be displayed during daylight hours in periods of restricted visibility.

Power-driven vessels under way
  1. Power-driven vessels of less than 7m in length
  • With a maximum speed of no more than 7 knots shall exhibit an all-round white light and, if practicable, sidelights
  • With a maximum speed of more than 7 knots shall exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights
  1. Power-driven vessels of 7m or more but less than 12m in length shall exhibit a masthead light, stern light, separate sidelights or combined lantern. An all-round white light may be exhibited in lieu of masthead and stern light.
  2. Power-driven vessels more than 12m long but less than 20m must exhibit a masthead light, separate sidelights and stern light; or a masthead light, combined sidelights and stern light.
  3. Power-driven vessels 20m or more in length but less than 50m in length must exhibit a masthead light, sidelights and stern light.

Sailing vessels under way
  1. Sailing vessels less than 7m in length, or vessels being rowed shall, if practicable, exhibit the lights required for sailing vessels under 20m in length. If not, an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light shall be ready for use and exhibited in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
  2. Sailing vessels longer than 7 m but not more than 20m in length must exhibit combined sidelights and stern lights; or sidelights and stern light; or sidelights, stern light plus two all-round lights in a vertical line at or near the top mast (where best seen).

    The upper light is to be RED and the lower GREEN (These are NOT to be exhibited in conjunction with combined lantern).

  3. Sailing vessels of 20m or more in length must exhibit sidelights and stern light.
  4. Sailing vessels under way (being motor driven) must exhibit navigation lights applicable to power-driven vessels.

Power-driven vessels/sailing vessels at anchor

All vessels less than 50m in length, at anchor must exhibit an all-round white light placed where it may be best seen.

Complete details relating to navigation lights can be found in the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, 1972 (as amended) contained in the Small Ships Manual.

It is your responsibility to carry the appropriate navigational equipment required by the "Transport Operation (Marine Safety) Regulation 1995". This regulation applies to all craft, including yachts, launches, motor boats, speed boats, dinghies, sailing boats, punts, houseboats and rowing craft. 

Vessel Lighting

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