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.

Coastal chart

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

Approach 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: 50,000 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.

Bathymetric chart

This chart shows sea-bed topography by diagram, including coastal low-water lines. As crucial data, it is used to delimit jurisdictional seas and neighboring boundaries defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Further to that, it is used to develop fisheries and resources, build submarine communications facilities, and salvage sunken vessels. Moreover, it provides important information in marine pollution prevention, military operations, the scientific use of the sea, and the environmental preservation.

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.

Ocean current chart

This chart shows the currents of seawaters with constant directions and flow velocities.

Chart symbols and abbreviations

This is an explanation about the symbols and abbreviations of every depiction on nautical charts, such as buildings, port facilities, light buoys, underwater obstacles, tidal currents, sea currents, coastline shapes, contours, offshore terrains, and every limit.

Special charts

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

Catalogue of Charts and Publications down load