Nautical Chart Classification

The nautical chart is divided into navigational and miscellaneous charts, depending on usage.

Nautical chart

Generally speaking, this chart means a navigational chart because of many different types of publications along with widespread use.

General chart

This chart is used for long-distance voyages and navigation planning because one chart covers a wide range of regions on the globe. As a small-scale map, it has the scale of 1: 4,000,000 or less.

Sailing chart

This is usually intended for a long-distance voyage and shows offshore water depths, main lighthouses/light buoys, and inland targets viewed offshore from a distance. As a small-scale map, it has the scale of 1: 1,000,000 or less.

General chart of coast

This is intended for inshore coastwise safe navigation with the small scale of 1: 300,000 or less.

Coastal chart

This chart intended for coastal navigation depicts coasts in detail and is used most in Korea. As a small-scale map, it has the scale of 1: 75,000 or less.

Harbor chart

Targeting narrow areas such as ports, anchorages, fishery harbors, and straits, this chart depicts facilities where vessels can be berthed in detail. As a large-scale map, it has the scale of 1:50,000 or more.

Miscellaneous chart

This is a chart used for reference during sailing, scientific research, production and resource development.

Fishery chart

This is produced by diagramming general data needed in every fishing industry on a general navigational chart, with the letter of “F” before chart numbers.

Special charts

There are the plotting sheet, the territorial chart, the global navigation and the planning chart, and more.