Monitor and Control Compliance with Applicable Maritime Legislation | IALA Buoyage System |
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In 1979, a body called International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) was formed to unify the World's buoyage system. They were largely successful, however, we now have two similar systems, IALA 'A' and IALA 'B'.
The areas that use the 'B' system, are North and South America, Japan and the Philippines.
The remainder of the World uses the 'A' system. As the ‘A’ system is used in Australian waters we will concentrate on that system.
The IALA systems are made up of five types of buoys, lateral, cardinal, isolated danger, safe water and special.
IALA System A for Australian Waters
 Lateral |
Port & starboard buoys which are red and green respectively or piles appropriately coloured with port or starboard top marks.
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Combinations of yellow and black with top marks and specific flash pattern lights to indicate the direction of safe water to the north, south, east or west. Cardinal buoys are equipped with white light characterised by a special rhythm. The main types of rhythms are flashing (Q) or fast flashing (VQ). The flashing light has 60 or 50 flashes per minute. The fast flashing light has 120 or 100 flashings per minute. |
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Refer to page138, Chapter 10: IALA Buoyage System, Small Ships Training and Operational Manual, 4th Ed (2005) Maritime Safety Queensland | |
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These buoys are placed directly over minor obstacles around which the water is navigable. They are black with horizontal red stripes. The topmarks consists of two black spheres one above the other. The light is white - a group flash light with two flashes in a group.
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These buoys display red and white vertical stripes indicating that water is navigable around both sides of the mark. They can be used to mark a fairway axis or as approach signs. When the light is installed, then its colour is white and its rhythm may be isophase, occulting, long flash or the Morse Code letter "A".
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Special Marker Buoy - the chart will indicate reasons for its position These buoys do not represent navigational aids. They indicate a special area or an object mentioned on maps or in other nautical documents and publications. These special marks are painted yellow and have a top-mark in the shape of a yellow lying cross (X). The light (if installed) is also yellow. The special marks may have letters or numbers painted on them.
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For further information on the IALA Buoyage System refer to the Marine Safety Queensland website http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Home/Safety/Iala_buoyage_system/
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