What are the distinctive colors of a Cardinal Mark?

A Cardinal Mark is a type of buoy used in maritime navigation to indicate the safest waters or the direction of safe passage. The distinctive colors of a Cardinal Mark are black and yellow.

The coloration of these buoys follows specific conventions established by the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. Black signifies the mark's position relative to danger, while yellow helps in identifying it according to the cardinal direction it represents. For instance, a North Cardinal Mark will have a specific pattern of black and yellow that helps mariners determine that they should pass to the north of the danger indicated by the buoy.

Understanding these color codes is essential for navigation, as they guide vessels in avoiding hazards and determining safe routes. This color scheme is crucial for distinguishing Cardinal Marks from other buoy types, which have differing color combinations to convey different meanings.