Cardinal Marks
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These marks are used to indicate the direction of deeper water or safe water. Cardinal mark directions are divided into four quadrants based on True North (not Magnetic North) and each mark is named for the quadrant it represents: north, east, west and south. Example: a fast cardinal mark denotes safe water to the east of it with the danger located to its west. |
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Do not use for navigation !!!
Topmarks:
Cardinal marks are easily identified by their topmarks, which are
two black cones. Whether the cones are pointing up or down determine
the mark’s quadrant.
North: 2 cones point up
South: 2 cones point down
East: 2 cones point away from each other to form a diamond (“diamonds
come from the east”)
West: 2 cones point at each other to form part of a sideways W
Colors:
Yellow and black horizontal bands with the black band(s) depicting
the orientation of the points of the cones.
Lights:
If cardinal marks are lighted, they will have a white light with the
following characteristics:
North: uninterrupted
East: 3 flashes in a group (3 for “3 o’clock”)
South: 6 flashes in a group separated by a long flash (6 for “6
o’clock”)
West: 9 flashes in a group (9 for “9 o’clock”)
Tip: Think of the cardinal points (N, E, S, W) superimposed on a
clock face.
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To the right are
two pictures of the cardinal mark near "Walter Scott
Rocks." Safe water is to the south of this mark; "Walter Scott
Rock" is to the north.
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This
north cardinal mark is located to the north of this partially
submerged shipwreck, and it indicates that safe water is to the north.
Traveling east of this mark is a sheltered anchorage in
Lawrence Cove. |
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West
Cardinal Mark: Safe water is to the west; the rocky shore of Lambay
Island, Ireland is to the east. This mark is near
Lambay Castle designed by
Sir
Edward Lutyens. |
