🔍 Key Concepts

• IALA Buoyage System purpose of cardinal marks vs lateral marks • Meaning of a cardinal mark (safe water lies to the named cardinal direction of the mark) • Typical uses of cardinal marks around isolated dangers, shoals, and obstructions

💭 Think About

• Which type of mark is normally used to mark the port and starboard sides of a well-defined channel? • What is the primary job of a cardinal mark: mark the sides of a channel, or show which side of a danger has safest water? • Looking at each choice, which one really sounds like the role of lateral marks rather than cardinal marks?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the difference between lateral marks (port/starboard) and cardinal marks (N/E/S/W of danger) • Check which options describe channel edges and bends versus deep water relative to a danger • Before choosing, confirm: "Does this use require indicating a compass direction (N, E, S, W) from a danger, or just left/right side of a channel?"