What Are The 4 Types Of Nautical Charts?
Nautical charts are an essential navigational tool for any sailor, providing detailed information about the ocean depths and features in a given area, as well as aids to navigation like buoys and lighthouses, which allow sailors to stay safe while exploring the open seas!
There are six main categories of nautical charts, each providing different levels of detail depending on the scale at which they are printed or viewed digitally on a chart plotter or other navigational device – Berthing, Harbor, Approach, Coastal, General, and Sailing Charts – all of which are important to understand when planning a voyage at sea!
In this article we will take a look at the four types of nautical charts that are most commonly used by sailors – Berthing, Harbor, Approach and Sailing charts – discussing their purpose, features, examples, and how to use them for safe navigation!
Berthing Charts
Berthing charts provide an overview of an entire harbor or marina from a bird’s eye view perspective with details such as depths along with layout information about buoys, mooring locations, docking areas, anchorages and other features important for navigation in the area for sailboat operators looking to berth their vessel in the harbor or marina for an extended period of time such as overnight stays or longer vacations on their boat!
They tend to be printed on a very large scale so that all the details can be seen clearly from a distance – usually 1:5 000 or larger – but can also be found in digital form on chart plotting devices these days too! Some examples of berthing charts include NOAA Chart 12345 (Shilshole Bay Marina) or NOAA Chart 12346 (Fisherman’s Terminal).
Harbor Charts
Harbor charts provide detailed information about depths within a given section of the harbor or marina such as close-up views of individual docks or slips where vessels will be berthed during their stay in the area!
They tend to be printed on medium scales ranging from 1:2 000 to 1:20 000 depending on how much detail is needed in order to navigate safely through the harbor area – but again can also be found digitally on modern chart plotters too! Some examples of harbor charts include NOAA Chart 12445 (Port Orchard Harbor) or NOAA Chart 12446 (Bremerton Marina).
Approach Charts
Approach charts provide detailed information about depths within a given section outside the harbor but still near enough that it needs to be navigated when entering or leaving the harbor area!
They tend to be printed at smaller scales ranging from 1:20 000 to 1:40 000 depending on how much detail is needed in order to safely approach the harbour entrance without running aground – again these can also be found digitally too these days! Some examples of approach charts include NOAA Chart 12555 (Port Townsend Bay Entrance) or NOAA Chart 12556 (Oak Bay Entrance).
Sailing Charts
Sailing charts provide detailed information about depths within a given section near enough that it needs to be navigated when sailing out into open waters away from the harbor area! They tend to be printed at very small scales ranging from 1:40 000 up to 1:250 000 depending on how much detail is needed in order to safely sail out into open waters without running aground – again these can also be found digitally too these days!
Some examples of sailing charts include NOAA Chart 12655 (Strait Of Juan De Fuca) or NOAA Chart 12656 (Puget Sound).
Summary
In summary there are four main types of nautical chart used by sailors when planning a voyage at sea – berthing charts providing an overview view of an entire harbour/marina, harbor charts providing detailed information about depths within individual docks/slips, approach charts providing detailed information about depths outside but still near enough that it needs navigating when entering/leaving harbour, and sailing charts providing detailed information about depths near enough that it needs navigating when sailing out into open waters away from harbour entrance – all available both digitally now via chart plotters as well as printed formats at different scales depending upon how much detail is required for safe navigation!
Conclusion
Nautical charts are essential navigational tools for any sailor who wishes to explore new areas safely by sea – understanding how each type works is key in order for them to plan their voyage correctly by plotting courses through harbours, marinas, approaches and out into open waters with confidence that they won’t run aground due to not having knowledge about depths in certain areas before they set off!
Hopefully this article has been useful in helping you understand what each type is used for so you can plan your next voyage with confidence knowing you have all the knowledge you need before setting off onto your next adventure-filled journey by sea!
FAQs
Q1) What scale should I use for berthing my vessel? A1) Berthing charts tend to be printed on very large scales so that all the details can be seen clearly from a distance – usually 1:5 000 or larger – but can also be found digitally too on chart plotters if they have this feature enabled! Q2)
What scale should I use for navigating through harbours? A2) Harbor charts tend to have medium scales ranging from 1:2 000 up to 1:20 000 depending on how much detail is needed – again these can also be found digitally too these days if you have access to one with this feature enabled!
Q3) What scale should I use for approaching harbours? A3) Approach charts tend have smaller scales ranging from 1 :20 000 up tp 1 :40 000 depending on how much detail is required – again these can also be found digitally too if you happen upon one with this feature enabled!
Q4) What scale should I use for sailing out into open waters? A4) Sailing charts tend have very small scales ranging from 1 :40 000 up tp 1 :250 000 depending on how much detail is needed – again these can also be found digitally too if you happen across one with this feature enabled!
