Okay kiddo, so have you ever been on a boat or seen one on the water? Sometimes when you're in a big body of water, like a lake or a river, it can be hard to know where you are or where you're going. That's where cardinal marks come in!
A cardinal mark is basically a big sign that floats in the water that tells you which way is which. There are four different types of cardinal marks: north, south, east, and west. Each one has a different symbol on it that tells you which direction it's pointing.
For example, a north cardinal mark has an arrow pointed up on it, which means it's pointing to the north. If you see one of these marks, you know that you're either headed north, or you need to turn and go north to get to where you're trying to go.
They're really important because they help ships and boats avoid dangerous areas like rocks or shallow water. If sailors know which way they're headed and where they need to go, they can avoid these hazards and get to where they need to go safely.
So, next time you're out on a boat, keep your eyes peeled for these big signs in the water. They might just help keep you safe!