Cardinal marks

Introduction:

	Used in conjunction with the compass.
	Indicates where the mariner may find the best navigable water.
	They are placed in one of the four quadrant (North, South, East or West).
	They are bounded by inter cardinal bearings, from the point marked.
	Cardinal marks named according to the quadrant which they are placed.
	Named side is the safe side of a mark.

Use:

	Indicate that the deepest water in an area is on the named side of the mark.
	Indicate the safe side on which to pass a danger.
	Draw attention to a feature in a channel such as a bend, junction, bifurcation or end of a shoal.

Topmark:

	Black double cone topmarks are the most important feature of cardinal marks.
	The are carried whenever practicable.
	The cones are clearly separated.

Colors:

Black and yellow colors are used.

Shapes:

	Not significant.
	Mostly pillar or spar.

Lights:

White lights are exhibited from cardinal marks which are lit.

Details:

North cardinal mark

South cardinal mark

East cardinal mark

West cardinal mark

North cardinal mark

Topmark	Cones point upwards
Color	Black above yellow
Light	Uninterrupted quick or very quick

South cardinal mark

Topmark	Cones point downwards
Color	Yellow above black
Light	Six quick or very quick flashes in a group, followed by a ling flash.

East cardinal mark:

Topmark	Cones point outwards
Color	Black above and below yellow.
Light	Three flashes in a group.

Wast cardinal mark

Topmark	Cones point inwards.
Color	Yellow above and below black.
Light	Nine flashes in a group.

Updated: June 24, 2003