Cardinal Marks
Cardinal marks indicate where safe water lies relative to the mark, using the compass directions North, South, East, and West. The safe water is on the NAMED side: a North cardinal mark means pass to the NORTH of it.
Cardinal marks are yellow and black with distinctive top marks (two black cones): North = both pointing up, South = both pointing down, East = base-to-base (diamond shape), West = point-to-point (egg-timer shape). Their lights are white and very quick or quick flashing, with distinctive patterns based on a clock face.
Key Points
- Pass on the NAMED side (North mark → pass to North)
- North: cones up ▲▲, continuous quick flash
- South: cones down ▼▼, 6 quick + long flash
- East: base-to-base ▲▼, 3 quick flashes
- West: point-to-point ▼▲, 9 quick flashes
Tip: Clock-face mnemonic for cardinal light patterns: North = 12 o'clock (continuous), East = 3 o'clock (3 flashes), South = 6 o'clock (6 flashes + long), West = 9 o'clock (9 flashes).