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IALA A Buoyage revision module 5 of 5

DRILL

Night Identification and Mixed Drills

Mixed recall for shapes, colours, topmarks, pass side, and flash sequences before using buoyage in pilotage.

light rhythmstopmark recognition

8 guided lessons · 10 practice questions · 10 flashcards

3 outcomes · self-guided revision
  • Report a light's colour, rate or character, group, period and charted position before naming an IALA mark or changing the route.
  • Separate ordinary Region A lateral lights from red or green composite group flashing (2+1), then relate a preferred-channel candidate to the charted junction and conventional direction.
  • Distinguish all four cardinal lights by white colour, Q or VQ rate, complete group, long flash and exact repeat period, then state the named safer-water relationship without inventing a universal track.

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More ways to revise
Lesson previewBuild a Complete Night Character1 section shown

Preview lesson

Build a Complete Night Character

Read a notation such as VQ(3) W 5s in parts. VQ is the rate, three is the number of flashes in the group, W is white and five seconds is the period from the start of one complete character to the start of the next. 'Three flashes' omits most of the evidence.

Find a repeat before counting. A glimpse can start in the middle of a group or eclipse, so observe the group boundary, the following darkness and the same pattern beginning again. For a south cardinal, the long flash is part of the group rather than an optional seventh quick flash.

If colour, rate or period cannot be distinguished, retain that limit in the report. Do not turn an uncertain white-or-yellow glimpse or a few reflected flashes into a precise mark family. Another lookout, a steadier bearing and a longer observation may improve the evidence without closing the aid.

Treat the charted light as an expectation to test, not proof that the observed light is that aid. Position, bearing trend, neighbouring aids, depth and current chart or light information should agree before recognition becomes a route decision.

ElementQuestion to answerWorked observation
ColourWhat colour is shown?White
Rate / characterQuick, very quick, flashing, occulting or another form?Very quick
GroupHow many flashes belong together?Three
PeriodWhen does the same complete pattern restart?Every 5 seconds
PositionWhich current charted aid should be here?East-cardinal candidate

Optional quick check

Section 1 of 1

Which report best describes a light before the mark is named?

Choose one answer
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