Chart No. 1 · Q 80
Beacon (with topmark)
Buoys & beacons
An upright pole symbol on land-fast ground; its topmark and colors carry the IALA meaning.
What it means
An upright symbol on a base line is a beacon — a mark fixed to the bottom or shore rather than floating. Colors and topmark (cone, can, spheres, X) follow the same IALA system as buoys. 'Bn' may appear beside small symbols.
Why it matters
Beacons do not swing or drag like buoys, so their position is exact — but they stand on the very shoal they mark. Never pass close on the 'wrong' side.