Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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Chart 1: Symbols Abbreviations Terms

Chart 1 provides explanations of the symbols, terms and abbreviations used in CHS nautical charts.

  • Chart 1  (PDF 15.8Mb)
    The HTML version of Chart 1 will be available at a later date.

Chart 1 is a publication containing explanations of the symbols, terms and abbreviations needed to interpret nautical charts published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Member nations of the IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) produce Chart 1 using a common format. That common format consists of Sections identified by letters and symbols, abbreviations, or terms identified by a reference number. All Chart 1s organize these Sections and symbols, abbreviations, or terms in the exact same order.

This edition of Chart 1 has been produced as a booklet and is also being posted to the CHS Web Site in pdf and in html format.

The booklet is available for purchase from an Authorised Chart Dealer.

To view Chart 1 as a pdf document, you will need the Adobe Reader software package which is available free from the Adobe Web Site in order to use this option.

  • Please be advised that if you intend to print from the pdf the size expands substantially when uncompressed en-route to the printer.
  • Note on Printing: Due to the importance of colour in symbology printing in black and white only is stronly discouraged. Colour laser and ink jet printers are recommended.