Which type of buoy is associated with a South Cardinal Mark?

A South Cardinal Mark is used in maritime buoyage to indicate the safe passage to the south of the mark. This is a critical feature in navigation, signaling to vessels that they should pass to the south of the buoy when navigating through potentially hazardous waters.

The key identifying characteristics of a South Cardinal Mark are that it is colored black with two triangular shapes pointing upwards at the top, and it typically has a minimum of one black stripe at the body. The design and structure of the buoy help in achieving high visibility regardless of the environmental conditions.

Both spar and pillar buoys can effectively serve as South Cardinal Marks, providing flexibility in buoyage systems based on the specific needs of the location, water depth, and geographical features. Spar buoys are often used in deeper waters due to their ability to stay upright and stable in strong currents, while pillar buoys are more suitable for shallower areas where they can be securely anchored to the seabed. This versatility in buoy design is important for efficiently marking navigational hazards.

Hence, both types of buoys can fulfill the role of a South Cardinal Mark, confirming that the chosen answer reflects the diversity in buoy designs utilized in maritime navigation.