Buoyage, Chart Symbols and Pilotage
The IALA Region A system
South Africa uses IALA Region A (red to port on entry). Learn the buoy types and their light rhythms:
- Lateral marks: port-hand buoys are red, can-shaped, with a red light; starboard-hand buoys are green, conical, with a green light. Remember: red port, green starboard when returning from sea.
- Cardinal marks: indicated by their topmarks (two cones) and white flashing lights. North: cones point up, continuous quick or very quick flashing. East: cones base-to-base, 3 flashes. South: cones point down, 6 flashes plus a long flash. West: cones point-to-point, 9 flashes. The number of flashes matches the clock position - 3 (east), 6 (south), 9 (west).
- Safe water marks: red and white vertical stripes, spherical topmark, white isophase or occulting light.
- Special marks: yellow, cross topmark, yellow light.
- Isolated danger marks: black with red horizontal bands, two black balls, white group flashing 2.
Chart symbols and pilotage
Know the symbols for rocks (cross), wrecks, drying heights (underlined), anchorage areas, prohibited areas and traffic separation schemes. Pilotage relies on transits (two objects in line), clearing bearings, leading lights and sector lights (each sector colour indicates safe water - white is usually the safe sector).
Traps
Questions often confuse cardinal light rhythms with the number of cones, or give a buoy with a topmark but ask for the light. Also watch for the difference between a preferred channel mark (red/green with a red or green band) and an ordinary lateral mark. In Region A, when entering harbour, red is to port.