Light Characteristics of Cardinal Buoys

Light Characteristics of Cardinal Buoys

The lights on all cardinal buoys will be white in colour, (if the buoy is so equipped).  In order to identify these buoys in darkness or reduced visibility, each one can be distinguished by different light flash characteristics.

The flash characteristics are based on the same numbering principle as an ordinary time clock.

The number of flashes coincides with the position of the face of the clock.

	North buoys flash at the rate of 1 per second or 60 per minute. A very quick flash can also be used — 10 flashes every 5 seconds.
West buoys flash at the rate of 9 times in 15 seconds. A very quick flash can also be used — 9 flashes every 10 seconds.		East buoys flash at the rate of 3 times every 10 seconds. A very quick flash can also be used — 3 flashes every 5 seconds
	South buoys flash at the rate of 6 times in 15 seconds followed by a single long flash. A very quick flash can also be used — 6 flashes every 10 seconds plus 1 longer flash at the end of each group to mark the end of 1 flash cycle.

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Special Buoys

Finally, special buoys serve a variety of purposes.  They are not primarily aids to navigation, but rather provide the boat operator with a host of information.  Some are cautionary buoys to mark firing range or seaplane bases, while others gather weather information, locate prohibited areas or mark designated mooring areas.  The shape of the special buoys is not significant; they are identified by their symbols, drawings and colours.

Cautionary Buoy

• they mark an area where mariners are to be warned of dangers such as firing ranges, racing courses, seaplane bases, underwater structures or areas where no safe through channel exists and of traffic separations.
• they are coloured yellow
• they display identification letters
• if it carries a top mark it shall be a single yellow ‘X’ shape
• if it carries a light, the light shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds

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Anchorage Buoy

• it is used to indicate areas which are favourable
• for overnight anchoring • they are yellow in colour
• they usually have an anchor symbol clearly visible
• if it carries a light the light is yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds.

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Mooring Buoy

• used to moor or secure vessels
• it is the ONLY buoy that you may legally tie your vessel to
• usually found in designated anchorage areas
• when in reduced visibility, be aware that other vessels may be present and tied up

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Control Buoy

• it is used to mark an area where boating is restricted
• it is coloured white
• it has an orange, open-faced circle on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands, one above and one below the circle
• a black figure or symbol inside the orange circle indicates the nature of the restriction.
• if it carries a light is shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds

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Hazard Buoy

• it is a buoy which marks random hazards such as rocks and shoals
• it is white in colour
• it has an orange diamond on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands, one above and one below the diamond symbols
• if it carries a light the light is yellow and flashes once every 4 seconds

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Information Buoy

• it displays information of interest to boaters.  The message can either be displayed using lettering or symbols.
• it is white in colour
• it can be distinguished by the orange open-faced square symbol on opposite sides and the two horizontal bands, one above and one below the square.
• if it carries a light it shall be yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds

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Swimming Buoy

• it is used to mark the perimeter of a swimming area
• it is white in colour
• if it carries a light, the light is yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds.

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Diving Buoy

• it is used to mark an area where scuba or other such diving activity is in progress
• it is coloured white and it carries a red flag not less than 50 centimetres square with a white diagonal stripe extending from the tip of the hoist to the bottom of the fly
• if it carries a light the light shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds

Particular care must be taken when boating in waters where there are divers. A vessel engaged in diving must display a blue and white flag (International Code A Flag, see left). A red and white flag carried on a buoy is used to mark areas where diving is in progress, although divers may stray from the boundaries of the marked areas.

Be sure you know what the ‘diver down’ flags look like. If you see either flag, keep well clear of the vessel and diving site, and move at slow speed.

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Keep Out Buoy

• A keep out buoy marks an area in which boats are prohibited
• it is white in colour
• it has an orange diamond containing an orange cross on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands...one above and one below the diamond symbols
• if it carries a light the light is yellow...flashing once every 4 seconds.

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Scientific Buoys (O.D.A.S.)

• An ocean data acquisition system  buoy collects  meteorological and other scientific data

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Fairway Buoy

• usually found at the entrances to channels or used to mark the center of a channel
• it may be passed on either side but should be kept on the port (left) side of your vessel when proceeding in either direction

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Isolated Danger Buoy

• it is used to mark an isolated hazard in waters which are otherwise navigable.
• it is usually moored directly on or above the danger
• it is used to mark a large rock, shoal or sunken ship

In addition to the above mentioned special buoys, you could also encounter posted command signs or warning signs.  These can be used to relay a host of information or provide warnings of impending danger. Some of these are:

• no wake zones
• no anchorage area signs
• speed limit zone signs
• low head dam hazard signs
• overhead or underwater power line hazard signs
• pipe line hazards signs

It cannot be stressed enough that every time you encounter a sign or buoy you should reference your nautical charts to ensure that you correctly interpret the information.