Effective Use of a Nautical Chart.

A nautical chart presents most of the information used by the marine

navigator with the common parts including latitude and longitude scales,
topographical features, navigation aids such as lighthouses and radio
beacons, magnetic information, indications of reefs and shoals, water
depth, and warning notices.

The nautical chart is the mariner's road map. Effectively using a chart helps
you identify the best route to your destination and prevents accidents. With
frequent reference to a chart, you can identify obstacles you wouldn't see
with your eyes alone. Obstacles such as rocks and sandbars pose great
dangers to navigation.
Attributed by: Canadian Hydrographic Service
Symbols, abbreviations and terms

Fig. 1
Page of the symbols, abbreviations and terms for chart 1.
For help using your nautical chart, use the Canadian Hydrographic Service
(CHS) Chart 1 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms Used on Charts. After
your nautical chart, this is the most important publication you must have on
board.
This chart contains all the symbols, abbreviations and terms used on
navigation charts published by the CHS. We use hundreds of these
symbols and abbreviations in our charts. They're based on international
specifications, which allows nations around the world to use our charts
without confusion.
Title block

Fig. 2 An example of a chart title block.

The first thing you should take notice of when looking at your nautical chart
is the title block.

Regional identification
The title blocks' regional identification states the general geographic area of
the chart.

Main title
The main title in the title block states the specific geographic area of the
chart.

Scale identification
We refer to the relationship between the size of the chart and the earth as
'natural scale.

Projection identification
Chart projection is a method by which we represent a curved surface (the
earth) on a flat piece of paper (the chart).
The Mercator projection is the most commonly used for nautical charts. It
virtually reduces the shape and direction distortions that occur during the
flattening process.
During navigation it's essential to be able to recognize features by their
shape, such as points of land or shapes of islands. You can compare these
shapes to the charted features when attempting to determine your position.

Depths note
The depths note indicates what units are used for the depths on the chart.
Charts have depths shown in feet and fathoms (1 fathom equals 6 feet) or
metres and decimetres.
All Canadian charts will show depths in metres.
Fig. 4
Example of depths chart.
Elevations note
The elevations note describes the datum used to show the elevation of
structures and the clearance of bridges and overhead cables.
Use this note to determine if your boat has enough clearance to travel
under the overhead cables and bridges.
Horizontal datum

Fig. 3
Example of horizontal datum chart.
The horizontal datum describes the starting point used for positioning
objects on the surface of the earth. Explanation of horizontal datum charts
is available in Chart 1 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms Used on Charts.
Source classification diagram
The source classification diagram note identifies where data on the chart
has come from and how old it is.
Symbol reference note
The symbol reference note is the last note in the title block. It refers you to
Chart 1: Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms Used on Charts.
Bar scales
A bar scale is a graphic scale represented by a line or a bar that is
subdivided into nautical:

 Feet
 Miles
 Metres
 This bar is used for measuring distances on the chart.

Elevation contours
Elevation contours are lines that connect points of equal elevation.
They're how we show the shape and slope of hills and mountains in
graphic form to help you identify them on the chart. Once you identify them
on the chart, you can identify your location on the water.

Insets
We use insets when a particular area of the chart can't be represented with
enough detail to be safely used by the mariner.
Objects of interest can't always be shown on a chart with a scale of 1:15
000, such as:

 marinas
 channels
 yacht clubs
 small islands
Hydrographs
We include hydrographs on charts for tidal and non-tidal waters.
Hydrographs indicate the:

 fluctuations in water level over a 1-year period

 highest and lowest water level ever recorded for each month
 amount of water to expect above chart datum during any month of the
year

Place names
Your chart includes names of places of interest to mariners, such as:

 cities
 towns
 islands
 points of land