NOAA releases new edition of nautical chart symbol guide

Edition 13 of U.S. Chart No. 1 is now available to download for free on Coast Survey’s website. Paper copies may also be purchased from any of four NOAA Chart No. 1 publishing agents.

This 130-page book describes the symbols, abbreviations, and terms used on paper  NOAA nautical charts and for displaying NOAA electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC®) data on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). The document also shows paper chart symbols used by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and symbols specified by the International Hydrographic Organization.

U.S. Chart No. 1 booklet covers
Printed booklet version of U.S. Chart No. 1.

In the back of U.S. Chart No. 1, there is additional information about the characteristics and appearance of buoys conforming to the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System that is used by the United States and most other seafaring nations.

Some of the changes implemented in this new addition are listed in the table below.

Examples of changes found in the new edition of U.S. Chart No. 1.
Examples of changes found in the new edition of U.S. Chart No. 1.

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