IALA buoyage system

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IALA (International association of marine aids to navigation and lighthouse authorities)

IALA is divided into region A and B. Singapore is in Region A.

6 types of mark

Lateral mark, cardinal mark, isolated danger mark, safe water mark, special mark, emergency wreck marking buoy.

Differentiate by shape, color, top mark and light

1. Lateral mark

3 kinds of lateral mark

buoy (free floating structure)

beacon (fixed structure)

lighthouse (tower or building)

Region A only.

Port : color - red / light - flashing red / top mark : can shape

Starboard : color - green / light - flashing green / top mark : cone shape

Definition : downstream means from land to sea (like mountain which is land flows to sea), upstream means from sea to land (like sea flow up to mountain which is land)

If going back to land (upstream), red port buoy on your port side

If going out to sea (downstream), red port buoy on your starboard side

Going back to land (upstream). Keep port (red) buoy to your port side and starboard buoy (green) to your starboard side.

Green red green buoy - preferred channel port side. use the middle color (in this case is red), hence keep to port side.

Red green red buoy - prefer channel starboard side.

2. Cardinal mark

North - top mark : 2 cones point up / light - white, Q or VQ / color - Black over Yellow

South - top mark : 2 cones point down / light - white, Q(6)+LFI 10s or VQ(6)+LFI15s / color - Yellow over black

East - top mark : 2 cones point away (egg shape) / light - white, Q(3) 15s or VQ(3) 5s / color - Black over Yellow over black

West - top mark : 2 cones point toward (hourglass shape) / light - white, Q(9) 15s or VQ(9) 10s / color - Yellow over Black over Yellow

Tip to remember : If keep flashing ==> north, got long flash ==> south, group flash of 3 ==> east, group flash > 3 with pause AND NO long flash ==> west

3. Isolated danger mark

Danger below the mark. Stay clear as much as possible.

Color - black red black / white light - group flashing (2) / top mark : 2 black sphere

4. Safe water mark

Water around it are safe (opposite of isolated danger mark)

Color red white red / white light - one long flash every 10 s / top mark : 1 red sphere

5. Special mark

Indicate restricted area eg dumping ground, reclamation area, military exercise

Color yellow / yellow light - any rhythm not used by the rest of marks / top mark : "X" sign

6. Emergency wreck marking buoy

Temporary marking buoy until full suite of buoy can be deploy

Color yellow blue / yellow and blue light - alternate / top mark : "+" sign