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US POWERBOATING Cardinal Marks

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 the marks are named for the quadrant it represents: north, east, west, and south. Example: an fast cardinal mark denotes safe water to the east of it with the danger located to its west.

Charts are for educational purposes only. They do not contain recent updates.
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.

South Cardinal Marks: Mouse over chart to enlarge, click on chart for large map.

To the right are 2 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.

Q(6) + LFl. 15s. Six short and one long light flashing every 15 seconds.

View Chart - Red Arrow #C1 -- 224 KB

North Cardinal Marks: Mouse over chart to enlarge, click on chart for large map.

This north cardinal mark is located in the Long Island Channel. Safe water is to the north of this mark and a shoal area, Cush Spit, lies to the south of it.

Colors: BY
black (top)
yellow (bottom)

View Chart - Red Arrow #C5-- 200 KB

North Cardinal Mark: Safe water to the north of this mark; “Black Horse Rocks” to the south of it. An old stone watch tower overlooks the channel near "Black Horse Rocks"

Colors: BY
black (top)
yellow (bottom)

View Chart - Red Arrow #C6-- 200 KB

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.

Q Quick uninterrupted flashing light View Chart - Red Arrow #C2 -- 270 KB

East Cardinal Marks:     Mouse over chart to enlarge, click on chart for large map.

East Cardinal Mark: Safe water is to the east of this mark; rocks and shoals lie to the west of it.

Q(3) 10s Three quick flashes every 10 seconds.


Colors: BYB
black (top)
yellow (middle)
black (bottom)    View Chart -Red Arrow #C3 -- 250 KB

West Cardinal Marks: Mouse over chart to enlarge, click on chart for large map.

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.

Colors: YBY
yellow (top)
black (middle)
yellow (bottom)

View Chart - Red Arrow #C4 -- 250 KB

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