| How do you identify the chart symbols that mean | | | | indicate high coastal cliffs. In heavy weather, take |
| flat beach or coastal cliffs? Which ones warn a | | | | shelter on this side of an island. |
| sailing skipper of vicious rocks and coral reefs that | | | | 3. Concentric or non-concentric circles indicate |
| lurk just beneath the sea surface? Here are five | | | | mountain contours. Cartographers write |
| easy steps to show you how to get a free | | | | elevations, useful for coastal and electronic |
| illustrated book that's guaranteed to boost your | | | | navigation, on the highest peaks. At sea, you can |
| sailing navigation know-how! | | | | see a 500 foot mountain peak 26 miles away on |
| Free Download for Small Boat Cruising Sailors | | | | a clear day. |
| You'll find all of these symbols compiled in a nifty | | | | Symbols That Describe Dangers |
| book called Chart No. 1. It's free of charge to the | | | | Just off the beach, you'll find nautical symbols that |
| public (see footnote *). | | | | show rocks, coral reefs or dangerous wrecks. All |
| Follow these five steps for your free copy: | | | | of these could lead an unwary sailing skipper into |
| 1. Enter the NOAA website (see link at bottom of | | | | peril. |
| this page) | | | | 1. An asterisk or "plus sign" symbol indicates rocks |
| 2. Click on "View NOAA Charts" on the right side. | | | | or coral reef. If these symbols have a dot in the |
| 3. Find the phrase "Nautical Charting Publications" | | | | corners or are surrounded by dots, they cover |
| on the left side. | | | | up at high tide. Avoid them like the plague! |
| 4. Click on "U.S. Chart No. 1". | | | | 2. A fish bone symbol shows a wreck below the |
| 5. Click on "Download U.S. Chart No 1 Free" in the | | | | sea surface. If dots surround the this symbol you |
| white box. | | | | must not attempt to pass over the wreck. Plot |
| Cruising sailors using British Admiralty navigational | | | | your sailing routes to keep at least half a mile |
| charts should order Chart 5011--"Symbols and | | | | from all fish bone wreck symbols. |
| Abbreviations Used on Admiralty Charts"--through | | | | 3. The half-hull wreck symbol shows half of a |
| the catalog (see footnote *). | | | | black wedge with a stick-like mast on top. Keep |
| Symbols That Describe Land Features | | | | your small cruising sailboat one mile or more away |
| Navigational charts use three distinct land profile | | | | from these horrors. |
| symbols to describe flat or elevated topography. | | | | These are just a handful of the useful sailing |
| 1. Solid, thin black lines that enclose a land mass | | | | navigation chart symbols you will find in Chart No. |
| show the high tide mark on a flat beach. At low | | | | 1 or Chart 5011. Learn the most important ones |
| tide, the beach will extend further into the sea, | | | | to keep you and your sailing crew safe and sound |
| making coastal navigation more hazardous. | | | | on the waters of the world. |
| 2. Serrated, teeth-like marks, joined end-to-end, | | | | |