IALA(International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities)

IALA(International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities)

Ø Identify
- Name / Shape / Top mark / Colour / Retro Reflector / Light
No BUOY USAGE SHAPE TOP MARK COL LIGHT REFLECTOR
OUR
1 Region A
- Generally use for well defined channels,
Can, Red light, any
- in a conventional direction of buoyage. Pillar or A red can Red rhythm other than Red Band or square
Spar (when fitted) Composite group
- Indicate port and stbd Hand sides of the flashing (2+1)
Lateral Mark route to be follow.
Port hand buoy

Cone, Green light, any

Pillar or A green Cone Green rhythm other than Green band or triangle
Spar (when fitted) Composite group
Lateral Mark flashing (2+1)
Stbd Hand buoy
Region B

Can, Green light, any

Pillar or A green can Green rhythm other than Green Band or square
Spar (when fitted) Composite group
flashing (2+1
Lateral Mark
Port hand buoy

Cone, Red light, any

Pillar or A red cone Red rhythm other than Red band or triangle
Spar (when fitted) Composite group
flashing (2+1)
Lateral Mark
Stbd hand buoy
2 Region A
- Found at a point where the channel
divided. Can, Red
Pillar or A red can with Red light, Red Band or square
- in a conventional direction of buoyage. Spar (when fitted) broad Composite group
green flashing (2+1)
- Indicated preferred channel. band
Preferred Channel Mark
Preferred channel to stbd
 Cone, Green
Pillar or A green Cone with Green light, Green band or triangle
Spar (when fitted) broad Composite group
Preferred Channel Mark red flashing (2+1)
Prefer channel to port band
Region B

Can, Green
Pillar or A green Can with Green light, Green Band or square
Spar (when fitted) broad Composite group
red flashing (2+1)
Preferred Channel Mark band
Prefer channel to stbd

Cone, Red
Pillar or A red cone with Red light, Red band
Spar (when fitted) broad Composite group or triangle
green flashing (2+1)
Preferred Channel Mark band
Prefer channel to port
3 Cardinal Mark - Cardinal marks are used to indicate the
best navigable water. Shape – Pillar or Spar

- indicate that the deepest water is on the

name side of the mark

- indicate the safe side(navigable side) to

pass danger ( to pass N of N cardinal
mark, E of E cardinal mark….etc. )
 - Isolated Danger Mark are erected or Pillar or Spar Two black Black and White light,
moored on or above, isolated dangers of sphere Red group flashing 2
limited extent
One or more pair
- navigable water all around them
Isolated Danger Mark of blue above red
bands

5 White Light,
- Safe Water mark are use to indicated Sphere, Pillar or A red Red and Isophase,
that there is navigable water all round a spar sphere White Occulting,
mark. Most code “A”
Long flashing
- use as Centerline , Mid-channel or 10 sec
Safe water Mark Landfall buoy or Red and White
stripe or band
- indicate the best point of passage under
the fix bridge.

6
- May be use to indicate a special area or
feature , the nature of which is apparent
from reference to chart, sailing direction Optional Optional Yellow Yellow light, any
or NM rhythm not use in
If fitted, white light
- use to indicate Cables or pipelines, Yellow X
recreation zones,
Special Mark Ocean data acquisition system Yellow, band, X
(ODAS)buoys, Military exercise zones,
or symbol
TSS , Spoil ground (Area of damping
mud, sand, silt or other deposit obtain
from bottom of the channel or harbour by
dredging)
[ C-STROM ]

7
New Danger Mark (New danger Cardinal marks (or) USAGE : If the danger is grave, one or more of Lateral or Cardinal marks will be duplicated
New danger or lateral marks) Maintain in position until the danger is sufficiently promulgated

New Danger Shape / Top mark / Colour / Retro Reflector : as Lateral or Cardinal mark
- newly discovered danger for navigation
- not yet shown on charts or promulgated by Notices to Light : a quick or very quick
Mariner or included in Sailing directions If use Lateral mark – Red or Green light
- eg. Naturally – rocks If use Cardinal mark – White light
Man made - wrecks
Fitted : a racon Morse Code(D) showing signal length 1NM
8 Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy
- provides a visual and radio aid to Pillar or Spar Topmark, - Equal - Blue and yellow Nil
navigation and to assist recognition of if fitted, number and 1 second
wreck marking. standing/up dimensions flashes are
right of blue and alternated with an
- place as closes to the wreck as possible , yellow yellow interval of 0.5
or in pattern around the wreck within any cross vertical seconds i.e. B
other marks stripes 1.0s + 0.5s + Y
1.0s + 0.5s =
Em’cy Wreck Marking Buoy should be - (minimum 3.0s.
retained in position until- of 4
a)The wreck is well known and has been stripes and - with a nominal
The buoy may be fitted with a Racon (Morse Code promulgated in nautical publications( ie maximum range of 4 nm
“D”) and/or an AIS unit. NM. ) of 8 (authorities may
b)The wreck has been fully surveyed and stripes). alter)
exact detail such as position and least
depth above the wreck are known. - If multiple
c)A permanent form of marking of the buoys are
wreck has been carried out. deployed then the
lights will be
synchronised.

General

1. Purpose of IALA system?

- Provide Seafarers Worldwide effective & harmonized marine aids to navigation service &
- To assist safe navigation & protection of environment.

2. How many type of buoys are there?

- Lateral mark
- Preferred channel mark
- Cardinal mark
- Isolated danger mark
- Safe water mark
- Special mark
- New danger mark
- Em’cy wreck marking buoy

3. Different between ‘Navigation aids’ and ‘Marine aids to navigation’?

- Navigation aids : Instruments used in navigation such as shipborne navigation equipments. Eg. Sextant, AIS. Etc….
- Marine aids to navigation : Aids for mariner in navigation. Eg. Buoys, lighthouse. Etc….
4. Did you know that the buoys which are not included in IALA system?
- Telegraph buoy
- Watch buoy
- Mooring buoy
- Anchor buoy
- Whistle buoy
- Submarine buoy

5. How many type of retro-reflector?

- Comprehensive code :
§ same colour as top mark
§ in Lateral, Special Marks

- Standard code :
§ one or more white bands (or)
§ letters, numerical, or symbols of retroreflective material are used
§ in Cardinal, Isolated danger, safe water Marks which are used white light

6. Retro-reflector is day or night signal? For which buoy? (Buoy light is extinguished? How do u know?)
- Night Signal
- Use for unlit buoy

7. Only pillar & spar shape buoys?

- Isolated danger Mark
- Em’cy wreck marking buoy
- Cardinal mark

Lateral Mark

1. How many direction of buoyage? (How many directions are used in lateral mark?)
- CONVENTIONAL DIRECTION OF BUOYAGE
Ø LOCAL DIRECTION OF BUOYAGE
The direction taken by Mariner when approaching a harbour, river, estuary or other water way from seaward.
Ø GENERAL DIRECTION OF BUOYAGE
The direction determined by buoyage authorities.
Clockwise direction Around the continents. Usually given in Admiralty Sailing direction.
2. What is Region(A) and Region(B)?
- Region(A) : Red to Port / Green to Stbd. [ Reverse when departing ]
- Region(B) : Red to Stbd / Green to Port. [ Reverse when departing ]

3. How did you see when you are approaching Singapore?

- Red to Port, Sir. Because Singapore is Region(A), Sir.

- Region(A) – Europe, Most of Asia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand.

- Region(B) – North/Central/South America, North/South Korea, Japan, Philippine

4. How do you know you are in Region(A) or (B)?

- By country base, we can check easily in ‘Buoyage Region(A) & (B) Diagram of NP735.

5. When you see 2 lateral marks, what is your position?

- Inside the channel.

6. Can you found the lateral marks without top marks?

- Yes / No.

7. When you depart from Singapore, you see Green Cone on your right ahead, take action? Identify this Green cone & which region?
- Singapore = Region (A)
- ID
- I will alter my course to stbd, I will keep this buoy on my port side and I will proceed in the channel.

8. What is the meaning when you meet pillar or spar buoy without top marks?
- No meaning. For pillar and spar buoys, the use of topmarks is particularly important because the shape of the buoy has no meaning.

Preferred Channel Mark

1. Can you alter course to stbd rather than to port when you see Preferred channel to port mark?
- Yes, sir. Can alter co. to stbd, because the divided channels are re-join for same destination. But, we have to more prefer to alter course to port, Sir.

2. Other name of Preferred channel mark?

- Modified Lateral Mark
Cardinal Mark

1. Co. 000(T). Found East cardinal mark. Action? [180/East , 180/West ?]

- A/Co to Stbd.

2. What is ‘Point of Interest’?

- Extent danger or Assumed danger

3. Which mark are distinct among all cardinal marks?

- South cardinal mark. Because of including ‘long flashing light’.

4. Co. 090(T). Found West cardinal mark. Action? [ Co. 270(T). Found East cardinal mark. Action? ]
- I can alter to either directions, Sir. But, my destination is on my …………side. So, I alter my Co to ……………side. [I will find N/S cardinal mark. Then, I
will pass N of NCM or S of SCM].

5. Co. 270(T). Found West cardinal mark. Action? [ Co. 000(T). Found North cardinal mark. Action? ]
- 1st option : Position ascertain
Detail examine to passage plan, chart, ECDIS & Ensure buoy adrift
Keep clear it from safe distance which is defined by SMS
Announce to other vessel & Report to Master
Report to nearest coastal port authority as per Master order.

- 2nd option : Position ascertain

Detail examine to passage plan, chart, ECDIS
Found that I am approaching point of interest
Report to master
Reverse course(going astern) until arrival safe place/condition.
Amend passage plan

6. Duration of ‘Long flashing Light , Quick & Very Quick Light’?

- Long flashing : not less than 2 seconds duration
- Quick flashing : repetition rate of 50 to 79(usually 50- 60 )flashes per minute
- Very Quick flashing : repetition rate of 80 to 159(usually 100- 120 )flashes per minute.
- Ultra Quick flashing : repetition rate of 160 or more (usually 240- 300 )flashes per minute.
Isolated Danger Mark

1. What is the different Isolated danger mark and cardinal mark which are showing danger?
- Cardinal mark – Extent danger
- Isolated danger mark - limited extent danger

2. E’ly wind, N’ly co., found Isolated danger mark, Action?

- A/Co to Port

Safe Water Mark

1. What is the different between usage of Safe water mark & Isolated danger mark?
- Safe water mark – without danger of safe for navigation around them
- Isolated danger mark - with danger of safe for navigation around them

2. [by model] you are right under fixed bridge, take action?

- Alter co. to stbd and pass the buoy on port (if there is safe water bouy under the bridge) by practicing good seamanship

3. What is Isophase? What is Occulting? How do you see ‘Group flashing’?

- Isophase - A rhythmic light in which ‘ all duration of light & darkness are equal’.
- Occulting - A rhythmic light in which ‘ light duration is longer than darkness duration’.
- Flashing - A rhythmic light in which light duration is shorter than darkness duration.
- Long Flashing light - A rhythmic light in which light duration is shorter than darkness duration & not less than 2s duration.
- Single flashing light – Interval of darkness between two successive flashes should not less than three times the duration of a flash.
- Group flashing light – The duration of darkness between groups should not be less than three times the duration of darkness within a group.
4. Where can you find Safe water mark?
- Centerline or Mid-channel of traffic
- before commencing narrow channel or fairway as landfall or fairway buoy
- under the fix bridge to indicate the best point of passage

5. By model –

Green
Red

Region, Light, Name?

- Region(A)
- Red/Green light any rhythm other than composite group flashing (2+1)
- Lateral marks

Which buoy in here?

- Fairway / Landfall Buoy

Own ship

Which rule shall you follow?

- Rule 9(a)

Special Mark

1. What is the meaning of ‘any light rhythm not used for white light’? Explain detail about the light?
- Different rhythm with Isolated danger/Cardinal/Safe water Marks

2. What should not do when you see yellow buoys? What is your action when you see Yellow buoy? Why? Where should not anchor?
- Examine the charts. If this yellow buoys indicate cables or pipelines, we should not anchor around the yellow buoys.
- If yellow buoys indicate recreation zones or Military exercise zones, we should keep well clear this area.
3. When you are approaching TSS, you found special mark on right ahead, what is this means?
- Means following buoys after special mark at the termination of TSS are as per IALA buoyage system.

4. You found special mark in Pacific Ocean, what is this buoy?

- ODAS buoy
New Danger Mark

1. How to understand Racon(D) signal length 1 mile?

- The signal length which is displayed on radar screen is 1 NM.

2. You see North Cardinal & South Cardinal marks, take action?
- New danger mark and make bold alteration

3. How to get information for new danger mark? Any more?

- From Racon Morse code(D) showing signal length 1NM

- From Navtex
- From Guard ship or patrol board
- From VTS

4. What action will you do as a OOW when meeting Newly Danger Mark? As per which regulation?
- Inform to Master
- As per Master Standing Order & STCW Code A Chapter VIII (Unexpectedly Sight land or navigation mark, Call Master)

n Inform Master
n Bridge Team Ready
n Post extra lookout
n M/E Stby
n Change Auto to Manual Steering
n Switch on Echo sounder
n Chart Assessment
n Plot the position
n Ammend the Passage Plan under Master Instruction

Emergency Wreck Mark

1. Which buoy will be installed first; New danger mark & Em’cy wreck marking buoy for finding new danger?
- Natural (rock) – new danger mark
- Man made (wreck) – possible : em’cy wreck mark
Impossible : new danger mark
2. What is the meaning of ‘light should be synchronize’?
- In multiple buoys, all buoys flash yellow light at the same time & flash blue light at the same time.

3. How many em’cy wreck marking buoys shall be installed for indicating wreck?
- Install as close to the wreck as possible
- In a pattern around the wreck within any other marks
4. How to get information for em’cy wreck marking buoy? Any more? What can you find near em’cy wreck marking buoy?
- From Racon Morse code(D) and/or AIS

- From Navtex (MSI information)

- From Guard ship or patrol board
- From VTS

5. Racon(D) and AIS (OR) Racon(D) or AIS?

- Racon(D) and/or AIS

Others
1. What is ‘Nominal range’?
- Nominal range : maximum range at which a light can be seen when the visibility is 10NM.

- Luminous range : maximum range at which a light can be seen under existing visibility condition. (not taking into account elevation, earth curvature,
atmospheric refraction)

- Geographical range : maximum range at which a light can be seen theoretically. (take into account elevation, earth curvature, atmospheric refraction)

2. What is Racon?
- Radar beacon / Radar Transponder – fix or floating & transmit an own signal on receiving a radar signal from a ship & show range & brg of own signal
on radar screen.

3. What is beacon?
- Landmark, erected on or a mark moored or driven into the bottom in shallow water; a light or unlight fixed aids to navigation attached directly to the
earth surface. Eg. Light house

6. Difference between Racon & Ramark? ( How appear the Racon in Radar? Plot the Racon in sample 3 points in Radar?)
- See the table.