1. Catalogue
of Nautical Charts
and Publications
Papua New Guinea
National Maritime Safety Authority
MMI Building, 2nd Level
Champion Parade
P.O.Box 1158
Port Moresby, NCD
Papua New Guinea
Telephone: +675 321 1868

3. The Australian Hydrographic Service
The Australian Hydrographic Service produces all navigational charts
for Papua New Guinea waters.
These charts and associated nautical information documents
such as digital tidal information and Raster Seafarer digital charts
are shown and described on the following pages.
These charts can be purchased through the two chart dealers in Papua
New Guinea or directly from the Australian Hydrographic Services at
www.hydro.gov.au
Please see price list provided with this booklet.

4. Primarily 1:300,000
Chart No: Title Scale Current Edition
Aus 376 Torres Strait 1:300 000 Jan 1984
Aus 377 Bligh Entrance to Eastern Fields 1:300 000 Oct 1985
Aus 378 Daru Roads to Kerema Bay 1:300 000 Mar 1974
Aus 379 Kerema Bay to Port Moresby 1:300 000 Feb 1974
Aus 380f Port Moresby to Orangerie Bay 1:300 000 Jul 1986
Aus 381f Orangerie Bay to Jomard Entrance 1:300 000 Aug 1971
Aus 382f Louisiade Archipelago 1:300 000 Jul 1971
Aus 383 Bonvouloir Islands to Woodlark Island 1:300 000 Nov 1995
Aus 384 Cape Vogel to Cape Nelson including 1:300 000 Sep 1991
Trobrian Islands
Aus 386f Vitiaz and Dampier Straits 1:300 000 Mar 1992
Aus 387f Vitiaz Strait to Isumrud Strait 1:300 000 Mar 1992
Aus 388 Karkar Island to Kairiru Island 1:300 000 Nov 1990
Entrance to Sepik River (1:50 000)
Bogia Harbour (1:37 500)
Aus 389f Kairiru Island to Vanimo Harbour 1:300 000 May 1968
Vanimo Habour (1:25 000)
Aus 395f Vitu Islands to Watom Island 1:300 000 Mar 1992
Aus 397f Gazelle Peninsula 1:263 000 Oct 1992
and St. Georges Channel
Aus 399 Bougainville Island 1:300 000 Jul 1999

5. Primarily 1:150,000
Aus 502 Cape Blackwood to Kerema Bay 1:150 000 Dec 1992
Kerema Bay (1:37 500)
Aus 505f Port Moresby to Hood Point 1:150 000 Jul 1965
Round Hill Anchorage (1:50 000)
Aus 506f Hood Point to Rothery Passage 1:150 000 Jan 1987
Cheshunt Bay (1:50 000)
Aus 514 Woodlark Island 1:150 000 Jun 1995
Approaches to Kwaiapan Bay (1:75 000)
Kwaiapan Bay Wharves (1:12 500)
Aus 518 Goschen Strait to Ward Hunt Strait 1:150 000 Feb 2002
Aus 519 Ward Hunt Strait to Star Reefs Passage 1:150 000 Jan 2003
Aus 520 Cape Nelson to Dyke Ackland Bay 1:150 000 Jan 2003
Aus 521 Dyke Ackland Bay to Cape Ward Hunt 1:150 000 Jan 2003
Aus 522 Cape Ward Hunt to Nassau Bay 1:150 000 Jan 2003
Aus 523 Nassau Bay to Finsch Harbour 1:150 000 Dec 1991
Approaches to Lae (1:25 000)
Lae Harbour (1:7 500)
Voco Point (1:5 000)
Aus 539 Nabuto Bay to Cape Lemeris including 1:150 000 Oct 1999
Lihir Island, Luise Habour (1:12 500)
Aus 837 Olinda Entrance to Maer Is. 1: 150 000 Aug 1997
Aus 839 Cairncross Islets to Arden Islet 1: 150 000 Nov 2003
Aus 840 Arden Islet to Bramble Cay 1: 150 000 Nov 2003

6. Various Scales
Chart No Title Scale Current Edition
Aus 461f Bougainville Island to North Cape, 1:750 000 Apr 1992
New Ireland
Aus 462f North Cape, New Ireland 1:750 000 Nov 1992
to Wuvulu Island
Aus 567 Bona Bona Island to China Strait 1: 100 000 Jan 1968
Inveraray Bay
Aus 620f Hall Sound (Bia Ata ) 1:36 280 Feb 1978
Vari Vari Anchorage (1:36 280)
Fife Bay (1:15 840)
Aus 621 Approaches to Port Moresby 1:37 500 Jul 2000
Port Moresby (1:18 000)
Motukea Island (1:18 000)
Port Moresby Wharves (1:7 500)
Aus 622 Port Moresby 1:15 000 Nov 2004
Aus 623f Toveli Entrance to Marshall Lagoon 1:50 000 Jan 1974
Aus 625f China Strait and Approaches 1:25 000 Jun 1963
Samarai Anchorage ( 1:10 000)
Samarai Wharves (1:2 500)
Aus 628 Nuakata Passage 1:37 500 Jul 2000

7. Various Scales (cont)
Aus 629f Milne Bay including Approaches from 1:75 000 Dec 1970
China & Goschen Straits, Gili Gili
Anchorage to Gopi Point (1:30 000)
Alotau (1:10 000)
Discovery Bay (1:7 500)
Kana Kopi Bay (1:7 500)
Aus 630f Eastern Approaches to Milne Bay 1:75 000 Dec 1987
& Goschen Strait
Aus 631f Sewa Bay 1:12 500 May 1983
Aus 644 Plans in Papua New Guinea (sheet 1) Jan 2003
Approaches to Oro Bay (1:50 000)
Salamaua Harbour (1:50 000)
Approaches to Morobe Harbour (1:37 500)
Natter Bay (1:37 500)
Mort Harbour (1:37 500)
Tufi Harbour (1:25 000)
Porlock Harbour (1:25 000)
Oro Bay (1:10 000)
Aus 646 Approaches to Madang 1:37 500 Sep 2001
Madang Harbour (1:7 500)
Aus 651f Approaches to Wewak 1:75 000 Jan 1970
Kairiru Strait (1:37 500)
Wewak Harbour (1:37 500)
Victoria Bay (1:25 000)
Aus 652f Aitape Roads 1:33 000 Jan 1945
Aus 654f Plans in Papua New Guinea Sep 1991
Langemark Bay and
Finsch Harbour (1:18 000)
Dreger and Schneider Harbours (1:12 000)
Melanua Harbour (1:10 000)
Aus 662f Seeadler Harbour 1:30 000 Sep 1952
Papitalai Harbour (1:15 000)
Lombrum Bay (1:10 000)
Aus 663f Hermit Islands 1:50 383 Mar 1984
Aus 665 Approaches to Eleonara Bay 1:25 000 May 1981
Aus 666f Passages Between New Ireland 1:50 000 Mar 1995
& New Hanover
Northern Arm Ysabel Passage (1:50 000)
Aus 667f Kavieng Harbour 1:12 500 May 1966
Aus 668f Plans in New Ireland Sep 1985
Cape St George to Sperber Point (1:75 000)
Nabuto Bay (1:30 000)
Kalili Harbour (1:12 000)
Baongung Harbour (1:12 000)
Bakhatere Harbour (1: 12 000)

8. Various Scales (cont)
Aus 674 Kulungi Roadstead & Approaches 1:25 000 Jan 1975
Kimbe Wharf (1:5 000)
Aus 676f Plans in New Britain Sep 1979
Dampier Strait (1:150 000)
Borgen Bay & Appr (1:75 000)
Mowe Hr (1:75 000)
Linden Hr (1:50 000)
Gasmata (1:50 000)
Henry Reid Bay (1:50 000)
Iboki Anchorage (1:50 000)
Jacquinot Bay – South West Part (1:50 000)
Garua Hr (1:50 000) Fulleborn Hr (1:36 000)
Arawe Hr (1:36 000) Pondo Hr (1:25 000)
Tavanatangir Hr (1:25 000)
Peter Haven (1:18 000)
Put Put Or Rugen Hr (1:18 000)
Luther Anch (1:12 000)
Aus 679f Plans in the Bismarck Archipelago Feb 1978
Duke of York Group (1:50 000)
Mioko Harbour (1:18 000)
Aus 680 Approaches to Blanche Bay 1:75 000 Jan 1997
Simpson & Matupit Habours (1:12 500)
Aus 683 Plans on East Coast Bougainville Island Jul 1999
Approaches to Kieta Bay & Anewa Bay (1:50 000)
Numa Numa Harbour (1:37 500)
Approaches to Teop Harbour (1:25 000)
Kieta Harbour (1:15 000)
Anewa Bay (1:10 000)
Aus 684 Plans on West Coast Bougainville Island Jul 1999
Approaches to Queen Carola Harbour (1:50 000)
Empress Augusta Bay (1:75 000)
Approaches to Koiaris (1:37 500)
Approaches to Torokina (1: 37 500)
Buka Passage (1: 37 500)
Aus 4620 Percy Isles to Booby Island 1:1 500 000 Nov 1996
including Gulf of Papua
Aus 4621 Mackay to Solomon Islands 1:1 500 000 Oct 2002
(INT 621)
Aus 4622 Admiralty Islands to Solomon Islands 1:1 500 00 Apr 1993
(INT 622)
Aus 4720 Booby Island to Cape Wessel 1:1 500 000 Oct 2003
(INT 720) including Gulf of Carpentaria

11. Official Electronic Product Status
When used in an IMO complaint ECDIS, Seafarer ENC’s, Seafarer RNC’S (for those
areas not yet covered by Seafarer ENC’S) and Seafarer Tides will allow vessels navi-
gating in Australia to meet the strict electronic chart carriage requirements of SOLAS
Chapter V.
Seafarer ENC
(Released 1st July 2003)
Description
Seafarer ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) are official Electronic Charts produced
in International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) S57 Edition 3.1 vector format.
They are authorized for use in International Maritime Organization (IMO) complaint
Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and can also be used in
compatible Electronic Chart Systems (ECS). Seafarer ENC will be distributed ini-
tially, on CD-ROM, to the commercial market through the AHS’ network of Seafarer®
Product Distributors.
Coverage
ENC’S usually contain much more information than a paper chart, so it will take
some time to provide coverage for all areas covered by Australian Charts. Therefore,
Seafarer ENC will be released in stages according to the following priorities: naviga-
tionally restricted and environmentally sensitive areas and major ports, major shipping
channels, harbour approaches and finally, coastal regions. The AHS first priority is
to release ENC’S from Weipa, through Torres Strait and down the inner route of the
Great Barrier Reef.
Currently Available For update on the latest ENC coverage,
visit www.hydro.gov.au
Future Release
Update Service
Seafarer ENC is supported by a monthly update service where updates can be down-
loaded from the AHS web-site or supplied on CD-ROM if requested. Access to the
web service will be password protected.
Availability and Pricing
For details on availability and pricing contact a Seafarer Product
Distributor. The AHS distribution network can be found at website: www.hydro.gov.au

13. Seafarer Tides
Description
Seafarer Tides contain tabulated predictions for high and low water each day of the
year for over 80 standard, and approximately 500 secondary, ports in Australia, PNG,
Solomon Islands and East Timor.
It incorporates a graphical representation of the tidal curves and predictions at
20 minute intervals for each location.
Coverage
Seafarer Tides covers ports in Australia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands
and East Timor.
Availability and Pricing
For details on availability and pricing contact a Chart Agent or Seafarer Product
Distributor. The ASH distributor network can be found at website: www.hydro.gov.au
Seafarer Viewer
Description
Seafarer Viewer is an application for viewing the Australia Hydrographic Service’s
Seafarer RNC (Raster Nautical Charts). This application was developed as a planning
and reference tool to provide access to the Seafarer RNC series for non-navigational
purposes. It has many applications in the marine research, search and rescue and gov-
ernment departments operational planning fields, in fact anywhere that chart informa-
tion and information storage is needed for non-navigational purposes.
Availability and Pricing
For details on availability and pricing contact a Seafarer Product Distributor. The AHS
distribution network can be found at website. www.hydro.gov.au
Seafarer Geo TIFF
Description
Seafarer GeoTIFF are raster images of the Australian Navigational Chart Series
in Geotiff format. The product was developed to provide geo-referenced chart im-
age backdrop for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and image viewing
systems. It can be used for any application provided it is not used for navigational
purposes.
Coverage
The complete Australian Navigational Chart Series is available, on CD-ROM, as
Seafarer GeoTIFF.
Availability and Pricing
Seafarer GeoTIFF is only available through the Australian Hydrographic Service.
Further information and prices on Seafarer GeoTIFF are available at website:
www.hydro.gov.au
Seafarer® is a registered trademark of the Commonwealth of Australia.

14. Seafarer RNC
Description
Seafarer RNC is a fully electronic raster chart service providing high quality digital reproductions of of-
ficial Australian paper charts. The charts maintain the same standards of accuracy, reliability and calrity
as the paper versions. The complete Australian Navigational Chart Series is available, on CD-ROM, as
Seafarer RNC’s.
Coverage
The charts are available on CD-ROM in the following pack configurations:
- Australia Pack includes the complete series of Australian Navigational Charts.
- Regional Packs provide coverage of the major regional areas and comprise 60+ charts.
- Day Mariner Packs provide coverage for popular locations and comprise approximatley 10 charts.
- Special Event Packs provide coverage for special events and are released from time to time.
Single charts are also available.
Regional Packs
REG001 North Coast
(Southport to Booby Island)
REG002 South Coast “A”
(Brisbane to Melbourne)
REG003 South Coast “B”
(Sydney to Hobart incl. Melbourne)
REG004 South East Coast “C”
(Spencer Gulf to Hobart
incl. Western Port)
Day Mariner Packs
DAY001 Sydney
DAY002 Whitsundays
DAY003 Brisbane
DAY004 WMelbourne East
DAY005 Melbourne West
DAY006 South West Coast
DAY007 Darwin
DAY008 Carpentaria
DAY009 Gladstone/Rockhampton
DAY010 Townsville
DAY011 Cairns
DAY012 Tasmania South
DAY013 Spencer/Thevenard
DAY014 Hedland/Dampier
DAY015 Tasmania North
Update Services
Seafarer RNC is supported by a Monthly Update Service or, for mariners not wishing to update regularly, a
Periodic Update Service.
Availability and Pricing
For details on availability and pricing contact a Seafarer Product Distributor. The AHS distribution network
can be found at website: www.hydro.gov.au
DAY016 Newcastle
DAY017 South East Coast
DAY018 Albany/Esperence
DAY019 Geraldton
DAY020 Hervey Bay
DAY021 Gippsland
DAY022 St Vincent/Spencer
DAY023 Broome/King Sound
DAY024 Coffs Harbour
DAY025 Torres Strait
DAY026 North West Cape
DAY027 Shark Bay
DAY028 Arnhem Land
DAY029 Joseph Bonaparte
REG005 South Coast
(Perth to Melbourne)
REG006 West Coast
(Broome to Esperance)
REG007 North Coast
(Broome to Torres Strait)
REG008 Papua New Guinea
REG009 Gulf of Carpentaria to Gladstone
REG010 Sydney to Whitsundays

15. British Admiralty
“Sailing Directions”, shown on the following pages
and the “List of Lights and Fog Signals” are published
and maintained by the British Admiralty.
“Sailing Directions” are designed to assist the mariner
and describe useful nautical information
that cannot be shown on the chart.
The “List of Lights and Fog Signals” describe the characteristics
of those aids that are lighted or omit sounds.
The graphs and associated information
will assist the mariner in determining light ranges
and the characteristics of the Fog signals.

19. Admiralty
LIST OF LIGHTS
and Fog Signals
VOLUME K 2003/4
INDIAN AND
PACIFIC OCEANS
SOUTH OF THE EQUATOR
Amended to ANM Weekly Edition
No 1/03 dated 2nd January 2003
Published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

21. © Crown Copyright 2003
LUMINUOUS RANGE DIAGRAM
Luminous Range Diagram – This diagram enables the mariner to determine the ap-
proximate range at which a light may be sighted, at night, in the meteorological vis-
ibility prevailing at the time of observation.
The diagram is entered from the top border, using the nominal range listed in the body
of the book, in column 6, or from the bottom border using the intensity from column
4 where listed. All other countries use luminous range for which the most commonly
adopted meteorological visibility is 20 miles, equivalent to a transmission factor of
0.85.
The figures along the curves represent the estimated meteorological visibility at the
time of observation, and those along the left – hand border the luminous range under
those conditions.
Example: A light of an intensity of 100 000 candelas has a normal range of
about 20 miles. When the meteorological visibility is 20 miles the light will be sighted
at about 33 miles, given a sufficient elevation and height of the eye; and when 2 miles,
at about 5 ½ miles.
As the scale along the border is based on a meteorological visibility of 10 sea miles,
the luminous ranges in the prevailing conditions obtained from the 10-mile curve will
be identical to those with which the diagram is entered from the top border. If a line is
drawn joining points where values from the left hand border intersect equal values on
the curves, it will be seen to be parallel with and to the right of the curve for perfect
visibility. Luminous ranges in the conditions prevailing at the time of observation ob-
tained from intersections to the left of this line will be less than the estimated meteoro-
logical visibility, whilst those to the right will be greater. Due to their intensity, many
lights will therefore will be sighted at a greater distance than that of the estimated
meteorological visibility.
The diagram can also be used to obtain an approximate meteorological visibility;
when for example, a light of an intensity of 100 000 candelas is sighted at 12 miles,
the meteorological visibility will be about 5 miles.
CAUTION.- When using this diagram it must be remembered that:
1. The ranges obtained are approximate.
2. The transparency of the atmosphere is not necessarily consistent between
the observer and the light.
3. Glare from the background lighting will reduce considerably the range at
which lights are sighted. A light of 100 000 candelas has a nominal range of about
20 miles; with minor background lighting as from a populated coast line this range
will be reduced to about 14 miles, and with major background lighting as from a city
or from harbour installations to about 9 miles.
Approximately sighting ranges may be obtained by entering the diagram with
the listed intensity divided by 10 for minor background lighting, and by 100 for
major background lighting.

23. Maritime Buoyage System
For buoyage purposes the world has been divided into
two zones A and B. Papua New Guinea is in Zone A.
Colours of the lights, colours of buoys and shape of buoys determine
whether you pass the marker to the starboard of your craft
or to the port of your craft.
The information that follows will assist you in making
the correct choice.
Please read the information carefully
because a collision at sea can ruin your entire day.

24. International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
MARITIME BUOYAGE SYSTEM
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE SYSTEM
Within the IALA Buoyage System there are 5 types of marks which may be used in combina-
tion. The mariner can easily distinguish between these marks by readily identifiable characteris-
tics.
LATERAL MARKS
Following the sense of a ‘conventional direction of buoyage’, Lateral marks in Region A uti-
lized red and green colors by day and night to denote the port and starboard sides of channels
respectively.
A modified Lateral mark may be used at the point where a channel divides to distinguish the
preferred channel, that is to say the primary route or channel which is so designated by an
Authority.
CARDINAL MARKS
Cardinal marks indicate that the deepest water in the area lies to the named side of the mark.
This convention is necessary even though for example, a North mark may have navigable water
not only to the North but also East and West of it. The mariner will know he is safe to the North,
but most consult his chart for further guidance.
Cardinal marks do not have a distinguish shape but are normally pillar or spar. They are always
painted in yellow and black horizontal bands and their distinctive double cone top-marks are
always black.
An aide-memoire to their coloring is provided by regarding topmarks as pointers to the posi-
tions of the black band(s):
Topmarks pointing upward: black band above yellow band
Topmarks pointing downward: black band below yellow band
Topmarks pointing away from each other: black bands above and below yellow band
Topmarks pointing towards each other: black band with yellow bands above and below.
Cardinal marks also have a special system of flashing white lights. The rhythms are basically all
“very quick” (VQ) or “quick” (Q) flashing but broken into varying lengths of the flashing phase.
“Very quick flashing “ is defined as a light flashing at a rate of either 120 or 100 flashes per
minute, “quick flashing” is a light flashing at either 60 or 50 flashes per minute.
The characters used for Cardinal marks will be seen to be as follows:
North: Continuous very quick flashing or quick flashing
East: Three “very quick” or “quick” flashes followed by darkness
South: Six “very quick” or “quick” flashes followed immediately by a long flash, then darkness
West: Nine “very quick” or “quick” flashes followed by darkness
The concept of three, six, nine is easily remembered when one associates it with a clock face.
The long flash, defined as a light appearance of not less then two seconds, is merely a device to
ensure that three or nine “very quick” or “quick” flashes cannot be mistaken for six.

25. It will be observed that two other marks use white lights. Each has a distinctive light rhythm
which cannot be confused with the very quick or quick flashing light of the cardinal marks.
ISOLATED DANGER MARK
The isolated Danger mark is placed on a danger of small area which has navigable water all
around it. Distinctive double black spherical topmarks and Group flashing (2) white lights, serve
to associate Isolated Danger marks with Cardinal marks.
SAFE WATER MARKS
The Safe Water mark has navigable water all around it but does not mark a danger. Safe Water
marks can be used, for example, as mid-channel or landfall marks.
Safe Water marks have an appearance quite different from danger marking buoys. They are
spherical, or alternatively pillar or spar with a single red spherical topmark. They are the only
type of mark to have vertical stripes (red and white). Their lights, if any, are white using iso-
phase, occulting , one long flash or Morse “A” rhythms.
SPECIAL MARKS
Special marks are not primarily intended to assist navigation but are used to indicate a special
area of feature whose nature may be apparent from reference to a chart or other nautical docu-
ment.
Special marks are yellow. They may carry a yellow “X” top-mark, and any light used is also
yellow. To avoid the possibility of confusion between yellow and white in poor visibility, the
yellow light of Special marks do not have any of the rhythms used for white lights.
Their shape will not conflict with that of navigational marks, this means, for example, that a
special buoy located on the port hand side of a channel may be cylindrical, but will not be coni-
cal. Special marks may also be lettered or numbered to indicate their purpose.
NEW DANGERS
It should be specially noted that a “new danger” which is one not yet shown in nautical docu-
ments, maybe indicated by exactly duplicating the normal mark until the information is suf-
ficiently promulgated. A “new danger” mark may carry a Racon coded Morse “D”.

26. International Association of Lighthouse Authorities
MARITIME BUOYAGE SYSTEM
RULES
GENERAL
1. Scope
This system provides rules which apply to all fixed and floating marks (other than lighthouses,
sector lights, leading lights and marks, lightships and large navigational buoys) serving to
indicate:
1.2 The lateral limits of navigational channels.
1.3 Natural dangers and other obstructions such as wrecks.
1.4 Other areas or features of importance to the mariner.
1.5 New dangers.
2. Types of marks
The system buoyage provides five types of marks which may be used in combination:
2.1 Lateral marks, used in conjunction with a “conventional direction of
buoyage”, generally used for well defined channels. These marks indicate
the port and starboard sides of the route to be followed. Where a channel
divides, a modified lateral mark may be used to indicate the preferred route.
Lateral marks differ between Buoyage Regions A and B as described in
Sections 2 and 8.
2.2 Cardinal marks, used in conjunction with the mariner’s compass, to indicate where
the mariner may find navigable water.
2.3 Isolated Danger marks to indicate isolated dangers of limited size that have navigable
water all around them.
2.4 Safe Water marks to indicate that there is navigable water all around their position,
e.g. mid-channel marks.
2.5 Special marks not primarily intended to assist navigation but to indicate an area
or feature referred to in nautical documents.
3. Method of characterising marks
The significance of the mark depends upon one or more of the following features:
3.1 By night, colour and rhythm of light.
3.2 By day, colour, shape, topmark.

27. LATERAL MARKS
Definition of “conventional direction of buoyage”
The “conventional direction of buoyage” , which must be indicated in appropriate nautical
documents, may be either:
The general direction taken by the mariner when approaching a harbour, river, estuary or other
waterway from seaward, or
The direction determined by the proper authority in consultation, where appropriate, with neigh-
bouring countries. In principle it should follow a clockwise direction around land masses.
Buoyage Regions
There are two international Buoyage Regions A and B where lateral marks differ.
Description of Lateral Marks used in Region A, Papua New Guinea.
Port hand Marks Starboard hand Marks
Colour: Red Colour: Green
Shape (Buoys): Cylindrical (can), pillar or spar Shape (Buoys): Conical, pillar
or spar
Topmark (if any): Single red cylinder (can) Topmark (if any): Single green
cone, point
upward
Light (when fitted): Light (when fitted):
Colour: Red Colour: Green
Rhythm: Any, other than described Rhythm: Any, other than described
in section below in section below

28. At the point where a channel divides, when proceeding in the “conventional direction of buoy-
age” a preferred channel may be indicated by a modified Port or Starboard lateral mark as
follows:
Preferred channel to Starboard: Preferred channel to Port:
Colour Red with one broad green Colour: Green with one broad red
horizontal band horizontal band
Shape (Buoys): Cylindrical (can), pillar Shape (Buoys): Conical, pillar
or spar or spar
Topmark (if any): Single red cylinder (can) Topmark (if any): Single green cone, point
upward
Light (when fitted): Light (when fitted):
Colour: Red Colour: Green
Rhythm: Composite group flashing (2 + 1 Rhythm: Composite group flashing (2 + 1)
CARDINAL MARKS
1. Definition of Cardinal quadrants and marks
1.1 The four quadrants ( North, East, South and West) are bounded by the true bearings
NW-NE, NE-SE, SE-SW, SW-NW, taken from the point of interest.
1.2 A Cardinal mark is named after the quadrant in which it is placed.
1.3 The name of a Cardinal mark indicates that it should be passed to the named side
of the mark.
2. Use of Cardinal Marks
A Cardinal mark may be used, for example:
2.1. To indicate that the deepest water in that area is on the named side of the mark.
2.2 To indicate the safe side on which to pass a danger.
2.3 To draw attention to a feature in a channel such as a bend, a junction, a bifurcation
or the end of a shoal.

29. 3. Description of Cardinal Marks
3.1 North Cardinal Mark 3.2 East Cardinal Mark
Topmark (a): 2 black cones, one above Topmark (a): 2 black cones, one above
the other, points upward the other, base to base
Colour: Black above yellow Colour: Black with a single broad
horizontal yellow band
Shape: Pillar or spar Shape: Pillar or spar
Light (when fitted): Light (when fitted):
Colour: White Colour: White
Rhythm: VQ or Q Rhythm: VQ (3) EVERY 5s
or Q(3) every 10s
3.2 South Cardinal Mark 3.4. West Cardinal Mark
Topmark (a): 2 black cones, one above Topmark (a): 2 black cones, one above
the other, points downward the other, point to point
Colour: Yellow above black Colour: Yellow with a single
broad horizontal
black band
Shape: Pillar or spar Shape: Pillar or spar

30. Light (when fitted): Light (when fitted):
Colour: White Colour: White
Rhythm: VQ (6) + Long flash every Rhythm: VQ (9) every 10s or
10s or Q (6) + Long flash Q (9) every 15s
every 15s
ISOLATED DANGER MARKS
1. Definition of Isolated Danger Marks
An Isolated mark is a mark erected on, or moored on or above, an isolated danger which has
navigable water all around it.
2 Description of Isolated Danger Marks
Topmark (b): 2 black spheres, one above the other
Colour: Black with one or more broad
horizontal red bands
Shape: Optional, but not conflicting with
lateral marks; pillar or spar preferred
Light (when fitted):
Colour: White
Rhythm: Group flashing (2)
SAFE WATER MARKS
1. Definition of Safe Water Marks
Safe Water marks serve to indicate that there is navigable water all round the mark; these in-
clude centre line marks and mid- channel marks. Such a mark may also be used as an alternative
to a Cardinal or a Lateral mark to indicate a landfall.
2. Description of Safe Water Marks
Colour: Red and white vertical stripes
Shape: Spherical; pillar or spar with
spherical topmark
Topmark (if any): Single red sphere
Light (when fitted):
Colour: White
Rhythm: Isophase, occulting, one long
flash every 10s or Morse “A”
(a) The double cone topmark is a very important feature of every Cardinal mark by day, and should be used
wherever practicable and be as large as possible with a clear separation between the cones.
(b) The double sphere topmark is a very important feature of every Isolated Danger mark by day, and should be
used wherever practicable and be as large as possible with a clear separation between the spheres.

31. SPECIAL MARKS
1. Definition of Special Marks
Marks not primarily intended to assist navigation but which indicate a special area or feature
referred to in appropriate nautical documents, for example:
1.1. Ocean Data Acquisition Systems (ODAS) marks.
1.2. Traffic separation marks where use of conventional channel marking may cause
confusion.
1.3. Spoil Ground marks.
1.4. Military exercise zone marks.
1.5. Cable or pipeline marks.
1.6. Recreation zone marks.
2. Description of Special Marks
Colour: Yellow
Shape: Optional, but not conflicting with
navigational marks
Topmark (if any): Single yellow ‘X’ shape
Light (when fitted):
Colour: Yellow
Rhythm: Any, other than those described
in sections 3,4,5
3. Additional Special Marks
Special marks other than those listed in paragraph 6.1 and described in paragraph 6.2 may be
established by the responsible administration to meet exceptional circumstances. These addi-
tional marks shall not conflict with navigational marks and shall be promulgated in appropriate
nautical documents and the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities notified as soon
as practicable.
NEW DANGERS
1. Definition of New Dangers
The term “ New Danger” is used to describe newly discovered hazards not yet indicated in
nautical documents. “New Dangers” include naturally occurring obstructions such as sandbanks
or rocks or man made dangers such as wrecks.
2. Marking of New Dangers
2.1. “New Dangers” shall be marked in accordance with these rules. If the appropriate Au-
thority considers the danger to be especially grave at least one of the marks shall be duplicated
as soon as practicable.
2.2. Any lighted mark used for this purpose shall have an appropriate Cardinal or Lateral
VQ or Q light character.
2.3. Any duplicate mark shall be identical to its partner in all respects.

32. 2.4. A “New Danger” may be marked by a racon, coded Morse “D” showing a signal
length of 1 nautical mile on the radar display.
2.5. The duplicate mark may be removed when the appropriate Authority is satisfied that
information concerning the “New Danger” has been sufficiently promulgated.

33. Mariners’ Chart Notes

34. The publisher of this catalogue,
the National Maritime Safety Authority
of Papua New Guinea,
would like to acknowledge the
copyright of the
Australian Hydrographic Service,
the British Admiralty
and the International Association
of Lighthouse Authorities.