Canadian Chart 1 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms

Chart 1
- Introduction
- Schematic Layout
General
- A Chart Number, Title, Marginal Notes
- B Positions, Distances, Directions, Compass
Topography
Hydrography
Aids and Services
Alphabetical Indexes

Buoys, Beacons - Section Q

Supplementary national symbols

IALA Maritime Buoyage System

Ref.	Description
130	IALA - International Association of Lighthouse Authorities Where in force, the IALA system applies to all fixed and floating marks except lighthouses, sector lights, leading lights and leading marks, light vessels and lanbys. The standard buoy shapes are cylindrical (can; ), conical ( ), spherical ( ), pillar ( ) and spar ( ), but variations may occur, for example: minor lightfloats. In the illustrations below, only the standard buoy shapes are used. In the case of fixed beacons (lit or unlit), only the shape of the topmark is of navigational significance.
130.1	LATERAL MARKS are generally for welldefined channels. There are two international Buoyage Regions - A and B - where lateral marks differ.

A preferred channel buoy may also be a pillar or spar. All preferred channel marks have horizontal bands of colour. Where, for exceptional reasons, an Authority considers that green for buoys is not satisfactory, black may be used.

130.2	DIRECTION OF BUOYAGE The direction of buoyage is that taken when approaching a harbour from seaward or along coasts, the direction determined by buoyage authorities, normally clockwise around land masses.
130.2	Symbol showing direction of buoyage where not obvious	Symbol showing direction of buoyage on multicoloured charts
In the illustrations below, all marks are the same in Regions A and B.
130.3	CARDINAL MARKS indicating navigable water to the named side of the marks.
	UNLIT MARKS	LIGHTED MARKS
	Topmark: 2 black cones
	Topmark: 2 black cones	The same abbreviations are used for lights on spar buoys and beacons. The periods 5s, 10s and 15s may not always be charted.
130.4	ISOLATED DANGER MARKS stationed over dangers with navigable waters around them
	Body: black with red horizontal band Topmark: 2 black spheres	white light

130.5	SAFE WATER MARKS such as midchannel and landfall marks
	Body: red and white vertical stripes Topmark (if any): red sphere	white light

130.6	SPECIAL MARKS not primarily to assist navigation but to indicate special features
	Body (shape optional): yellow or white. In special cases, white can be in conjunction with another colour. Topmark (if any): yellow X.	Light (if any): yellow Rhythm optional