Directive #: 2.

6300
Page 1 of 1

Issue Date:
91/12/24

Amend #: Original
Amend Date: Original

MARINE AIDS OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE

Floating Aids to Navigation
Buoy Light Flash characters

1.0

SCOPE
This directive specifies the flash characters to be used on buoys in the Canadian aids
to navigation system.

2.0

DEFINITIONS
2.1

Flash Character
For the purposes of this directive, the term flash character refers to the
distinctive periodic rhythm of an aid to navigation light, which enables it to be
identified.

2.2

District Aids Superintendent

For the purposes of this directive, in any Region where there are no Districts,
the term District Aids Superintendent will mean the Regional Aids
Superintendent.

3.0

PRINCIPLES
The buoy light flash characters for all buoys in the Canadian buoyage system shall
conform to the Specifications for Buoy Light Characters detailed in Appendix A. The
primary character shall be used in all cases except when there is the need to
distinguish between two identical buoys which are close to each other or where
emphasis is required.

4.0

RESPONSIBILITIES
The District Aids Superintendent is responsible for the interpretation and administration
of this directive.

5.0

SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications for buoy light characters are provided in Appendix A.

6.0

REFERENCES
This directive replaces:

Directive #: 2.6300
Page 2 of 1

Issue Date:
91/12/24

Amend #: Original
Amend Date: Original

TP1526. Transport Canada. Aids and Waterways Policy Element A17.

December 2, 1983. Buoy Light Flash Characteristics.

Dated

Appendix A to Directive #: 2.6300

Page 1 of 3

Issue Date:
91/12/24

Amend #: Original
Amend Date: Original

SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUOY LIGHT CHARACTERS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Port and Starboard

Flashing - (Fl)4s

Quick Flashing - (Q)1s

0.5 sec. flash; 3.5 sec. eclipse;

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;

One flash every 4 seconds

(15 flashes per minute)

One flash every second

(60 flashes per minute)

Fairway
Morse Code A - Mo(A)6s
0.3 sec. flash; 0.6 sec. eclipse;
1.0 sec. flash; 4.1 sec. eclipse;
One short flash and one long flash every
6 seconds
(10 sequences per minute)

Long Flash - (LFl)10s

2.0 sec. flash; 8.0 sec. eclipse;
One long flash every 10 seconds
(6 flashes per minute)

Bifurcation
Composite Group Flashing Fl(2+1)10s
Composite Group Flashing Fl(2+1)6s
0.3 sec. flash; 0.4 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 1.2 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 3.5 sec. eclipse;
A group of two flashes and a single flash
every 6 seconds (10 sequences per
minute)
Isolated Danger

0.5 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;

0.5 sec. flash; 2.1 sec. eclipse;
0.5 sec. flash; 5.7 sec. eclipse;
A group of two flashes and a single
flash every 10 seconds
(6 sequences per minute)

Group Flashing - Fl(2)10s

Group Flashing - Fl(2)5s
0.4 sec. flash; 0.6 sec. eclipse;
0.4 sec. flash; 3.6 sec. eclipse;
A group of two flasher every 5 seconds
(12 sequences per minute)

1.0 sec. flash; 1.0 sec. eclipse;

1.0 sec. flash; 7.0 sec. eclipse;
A group of tow flashes every 10 seconds
(6 sequences per minute)

Appendix A to Directive #: 2.6300

Page 2 of 3

PRIMARY

Issue Date:
91/12/24

Amend #: Original
Amend Date: Original

SECONDARY

North Cardinal
Quick Flashing - (Q)1s

Very Quick Flashing - (VQ).5s

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;

One flash every second

(60 flashes per minute)

One flash every second

(120 flashes per minute)

East Cardinal
Group quick flashing
Q(3)10s

Group Very Quick Flashing

VQ(3)5s

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 7.7 sec. eclipse;

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 3.8 sec. eclipse;

A group of 3 flashes every 10 seconds

(6 groups per minute)

A group of 3 flashes every 5 seconds

(12 groups per minute)

South Cardinal
Group quick Flashing plus Long Flash
(Q(6)+LFl)15s

Group Very Quick Flashing plus Long

Flash
(VQ(6)+LFl)10s

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
2.0 sec. flash; 7.0 sec. eclipse;

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
2.0 sec. flash; 5.0 sec. eclipse;

A group of six flashes and a long flash

every 15 seconds
(4 sequences per minute)

A group of six flashes and a long flash every

10 seconds
(6 sequences per minute)

West Cardinal
Group Quick Flashiing
Q(9)15s
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;

Group Very quick Flashing

VQ(9)10s
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;

Appendix A to Directive #: 2.6300

Page 3 of 3

PRIMARY

Issue Date:
91/12/24

Amend #: Original
Amend Date: Original

SECONDARY

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;

0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 0.7 sec. eclipse;
0.3 sec. flash; 6.7 sec. eclipse;

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;

0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 0.3 sec. eclipse;
0.2 sec. flash; 5.8 sec. eclipse;

A group of 9 flashes every 15 seconds

(4 groups per minute)

A group of 9 flashes every 10 seconds

(6 groups per minute)

PRIMARY
Special - except ODAS (Ocean Data
Acquisition System)
Flashing
(Fl)4s
0.5 sec. flash; 3.5 sec. eclipse;
One flash every 4 seconds
(15 flashes per minute)
ODAS (Ocean Data Acquisition System)
(Scientific)
Group Flashing
Fl(5)20s
0.5 sec. flash; 1.5 sec. eclipse;
0.5 sec. flash; 1.5 sec. eclipse;
0.5 sec. flash; 1.5 sec. eclipse;
0.5 sec. flash; 1.5 sec. eclipse;
0.5 sec. flash; 11.5 sec. eclipse;
A group of 5 flashes every 20 seconds
(3 groups per minute)