Cardinal markers
Cardinal markers are used to indicate deeper waters or hazards. They display a compass direction away from a danger such as a reef or shallow area. The markers refer to the cardinal points of a compass – North, South, East, West – and are noted by a combination of yellow and black.
To avoid a hazard using a cardinal mark, drive on the directed side of the mark i.e., drive on the north side of a north cardinal mark, on the west side of a west cardinal mark etc.
Top mark
Regardless of their compass direction, all cardinal marks display 2 black cones as a top mark. They key identifier is the directions in which the cones are pointing:
- Two cones pointing up = north cardinal mark.
- Two cones pointing down = south cardinal mark.
- Two cones pointing toward each other = west cardinal mark.
- Two cones pointing away from each other = east cardinal mark.
Colour scheme
Cardinal markers are coloured yellow and black. The order of the colours (e.g., yellow – black – yellow) is one way they represent what type of cardinal mark it is (e.g., west cardinal).
North Cardinal Marker
Black over yellow
South Cardinal Marker
Yellow over black
West Cardinal Marker
Yellow over black over yellow
East Cardinal Marker
Black over yellow over black
Light sequence
If lit, cardinal markers will exhibit a quick flashing white light in a dedicated sequence. Think of a clock face and compass when remembering what these flashing lights will mean. The number of flashes corresponds to the numbers on a clock face:
- North = 12 flashes (this is also known as a continuous flash)
- East = 3 flashes
- South = 6 flashes
- West = 9 flashes