Cardinal buoys North - South - East - West

What Do Cardinal Buoys Indicate?

Cardinal buoys are navigational aids that indicate the direction of the safest water in relation to a hazard. They are placed near dangers such as rocks, shoals, or reefs to show boaters which side of the buoy they should pass on to remain in safe water. By understanding the cardinal system, mariners can navigate confidently and avoid underwater obstacles.

What Are the Four Cardinal Buoys?

There are four types of cardinal buoys—North, South, East, and West—each corresponding to one of the four cardinal points on a compass. The name of each buoy indicates where the safe water lies relative to the hazard:

• North Cardinal Buoy: Safe water is to the north of the buoy.

• South Cardinal Buoy: Safe water is to the south of the buoy.

• East Cardinal Buoy: Safe water is to the east of the buoy.

• West Cardinal Buoy: Safe water is to the west of the buoy.

Together, these buoys guide mariners safely around hazards using clear directional references.

What Are the Rules for Cardinal Buoys?

Cardinal buoys help boaters determine the safest direction to travel around a hazard based on the four cardinal points—north, south, east, and west. The basic rule is simple:

• Pass north of a North Cardinal buoy

• Pass south of a South Cardinal buoy

• Pass east of an East Cardinal buoy

• Pass west of a West Cardinal buoy

Each cardinal buoy shows where safe water lies relative to the danger it marks. The North Cardinal buoy, for example, indicates that navigable water is to the north of the buoy.

Cardinal buoys are colored yellow and black, with the pattern of stripes showing which type of buoy it is. Their top marks—two black cones—also point in specific directions to help identify them. In addition, each buoy displays a distinct white flashing light pattern (if lighted), corresponding to its cardinal direction.