IALA Buoyage

Comprehensive Revision Notes on Buoyage Systems for Master Mariners

IALA Buoyage Systems: A and B

IALA A

• Regions: Employed in Europe, Africa, most of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Lateral Marks: Mark the sides of navigable channels.
  • Port Hand Marks: Red, cylindrical (can) shape, equipped with a single red light. Used when returning from sea.
  • Starboard Hand Marks: Green, conical (nun) shape, equipped with a single green light. Used when returning from sea.
• Cardinal Marks: Indicate the direction of safe water relative to the hazard.
  • North Cardinal: Two black cones pointing upwards, continuous quick or very quick flashing white light.
  • East Cardinal: Two black cones pointing away from each other, three flashes per 10 or 15 seconds.
  • South Cardinal: Two black cones pointing downwards, six flashes followed by one long flash.
  • West Cardinal: Two black cones pointing towards each other, nine flashes per 10 or 15 seconds.
• Isolated Danger Marks: Black with one or more red horizontal bands, two black spheres as top marks, flashing white light group of two.
• Safe Water Marks: Red and white vertical stripes, single red sphere as a top mark, isophase, occulting, or single long flashing white light.
• Special Marks: Yellow, indicate areas such as pipelines, cables, spoil grounds, and recreational zones. Yellow light, rhythm not conflicting with white lights.
• Preferred Channel Marks: Indicate the preferred channel to transit when a channel splits.
  • Preferred Channel to Starboard: Green with one red horizontal band, conical (nun) shape, if lit, a single green light.
  • Preferred Channel to Port: Red with one green horizontal band, cylindrical (can) shape, if lit, a single red light.

IALA B

• Regions: Used in North, Central, and South America, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.
• Lateral Marks: Mark the sides of navigable channels.
  • Port Hand Marks: Green, cylindrical (can) shape, equipped with a single green light. Used when returning from sea.
  • Starboard Hand Marks: Red, conical (nun) shape, equipped with a single red light. Used when returning from sea.
• Cardinal Marks: Same characteristics as IALA A.
• Isolated Danger Marks: Same characteristics as IALA A.
• Safe Water Marks: Same characteristics as IALA A.
• Special Marks: Same characteristics as IALA A.
• Preferred Channel Marks: Indicate the preferred channel to transit when a channel splits.
  • Preferred Channel to Starboard: Red with one green horizontal band, conical (nun) shape, if lit, a single red light.
  • Preferred Channel to Port: Green with one red horizontal band, cylindrical (can) shape, if lit, a single green light.

Types of Buoys and Their Characteristics

1. Lateral Buoys: Define the edges of a navigable channel.
   • Port Side: Red (IALA A) or Green (IALA B).
   • Starboard Side: Green (IALA A) or Red (IALA B).
2. Cardinal Buoys: Indicate the safe side to pass a hazard, using a combination of top marks and light characteristics.
3. Isolated Danger Buoys: Mark isolated dangers which have navigable water all around them, such as rocks.
4. Safe Water Buoys: Indicate safe water all around, often used as fairway buoys or mid-channel buoys.
5. Special Buoys: Indicate special areas or features such as anchorages, recreation zones, or pipelines.
6. Emergency Wreck Marking Buoys: Indicate new wrecks, with blue and yellow vertical stripes and alternating blue and yellow light.

Light Frequencies and Characteristics

• Port Hand Marks: Flashing red light, period varies but typically 1-3 seconds.
• Starboard Hand Marks: Flashing green light, period varies but typically 1-3 seconds.
• Cardinal Marks:
  • North Cardinal: Continuous quick (Q) or very quick (VQ) flashing white light.
  • East Cardinal: Three flashes every 10 or 15 seconds (Q3 or VQ3).
  • South Cardinal: Six flashes followed by one long flash every 10 or 15 seconds (Q6+LFl15s or VQ6+LFl15s).
  • West Cardinal: Nine flashes every 10 or 15 seconds (Q9 or VQ9).
• Isolated Danger Marks: Group flashing (2) white light, typically with a period of 5 or 10 seconds.
• Safe Water Marks: Isophase (equal light and dark periods), occulting (more light than dark periods), or single long flashing white light (typically 10 seconds).
• Special Marks: Yellow light, rhythms vary but should not conflict with white light rhythms.
• Preferred Channel Marks:
  • Preferred Channel to Starboard (IALA A): Green with one red horizontal band, if lit, a single green light.
  • Preferred Channel to Port (IALA A): Red with one green horizontal band, if lit, a single red light.
  • Preferred Channel to Starboard (IALA B): Red with one green horizontal band, if lit, a single red light.
  • Preferred Channel to Port (IALA B): Green with one red horizontal band, if lit, a single green light.

Actions When Seeing Buoys

• Lateral Buoys: Navigate with the port hand buoys to port and the starboard hand buoys to starboard when proceeding upstream.
• Cardinal Buoys: Pass to the safe side indicated by the buoy.
• Isolated Danger Buoys: Keep well clear of these buoys as they mark isolated hazards.
• Safe Water Buoys: Can be passed on any side as they indicate all-around safe water.
• Special Buoys: Follow any special instructions or restrictions indicated by these buoys.
• Preferred Channel Marks: Follow the preferred channel indicated by the buoy markings to ensure safe passage.

Significance of Special Buoys

Special buoys are used to:

• Mark anchorage areas.
• Indicate underwater pipelines and cables.
• Identify military exercise zones.
• Delineate recreational or prohibited areas.

Procedure for Observing Buoy Off Station (UK Requirements)

When observing a buoy off station in UK waters:

1. Record Precise Position: Accurately document the position using GPS coordinates.
2. Report to Authorities: Notify the local maritime authority or port authority immediately with the details.
3. Assess the Situation: Check for any visible damage to the buoy or signs of tampering