On a voyage along the coast of France, you sight a buoy with the top marks as shown in illustration D026NG below. How should you steer your vessel?

Correct Answer: Option C — south of the buoy

Illustration D026NG depicts a South Cardinal mark. Under the IALA-A system, a South Cardinal mark indicates that the safest water lies to the south of the buoy. Mariners should pass to the south, keeping the buoy to the north of their vessel to avoid the hazards marked by the buoy.