International Association of Lighthouse Authorities

International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (or IALA for short) is a non-profit organization founded 1957 to collect and provide nautical expertise and advise. It's office is located in St. Germain-en-laye, France.

The IALA is primarily known for its buoyage or sea mark systems that are used in the pilotage of vessels at sea:

• Lateral marks - indicate the edges of a channel
• Cardinal marks - indicate the direction of safe water at a dangerous spot
• Safe water marks - indicate the deep water and open end of a channel
• Special marks - indicate administrative areas, such as, speed restrictions or water sking areas
• Isolated danger marks - indicate a hazard to shipping

Each type of mark has a distinctive colour, shape and possibly a characteristic light.

See also

• International Hydrographic Organization
• Homepage of IALA