Symbols & abreviations
CONTENTS
Selection of Symbols
IA Chart Number, Title, Marginal Notes
IB Positions, Distances, Directions, Compass IC Natural
Features
ID Cultural Features
IE Landmarks IF Ports IG Topographic Terms
IH Tides, Currents
II Depths IJ Nature of the Seabed IK Rocks, Wrecks, Obstructions
IL Offshore Installations IM Tracks, Routes
IN Areas, Limits IO Hydrographic Terms
IP Lights IQ Buoys, Beacons IR Fog Signals IS Radar, Radio,
Electronic PositionFixing Systems IT Services IU Small Craft
Facilties IV Index of Abbreviations: Principal Foreign Terms,
Principal English Terms
IW International Abbreviations
IX Index to Symbols and Abbreviations
Chart 5011 1 NT 1
Edition 2 December 1998
SYMBOLS and ABBREVIATIONS
used on Admiralty Charts CONTENTS
System of Correction inside cover
Introduction and Schematic Layout 2
GENERAL
IA Chart Number, Title, Marginal Notes 4
IB Positions, Distances, Directions, Compass 6
TOPOGRAPHY
ICNatural Features 9
IDCultural Features 12
IELandmarks b 14
IFPorts 16
IGTopographic Terms 19
HYDROGRAPHY
IHTides, Currents 22
IIDepths 25
IJNature of the Seabed 27
IKRocks, Wrecks, Obstructions 30
ILOffshore Installations 33
IM Tracks, Routes 35
INAreas, Limits 38
I0Hydrographic Terms 41
AIDS AND SERVICES
IPLights 43
IQBuoys,Beacons 49
IRFog Signals 55
ISRadar, Radio, Electronic PositionFixing Systems 56
ITServices 58
IUSmall Craft Facilities 60
ALPHABETICAL INDEXES
IVIndex of Abbreviations:
Princioal Foreign Terms 62
Principal English Terms 66
IWInternational Abbreviations 69
IX Index 71
INTRODUCTION
General Chart 5011 (INT 1) provides a reference to the many
symbols and abbreviations found on British Admiralty and
international c charts. Symbols not shown in Chart 5011 (INT 1) may
be used on adopted or co-produced British Admiraltycharts and
will
be shown in a glossary on the relevant charts.
Layout This edition of Chart 5011 (INT 1) is based on the 'Chart
Specifiations of the IHO (International Hydrographic
Organization)" adopted in 1982. Previous editions of 5011
followed a formaer IHO Standard List, a system still used by
some
Hydrographic Offices: the letter assigned to each major group of
symbols in this edition has been prefixed I to avoid
confusion during the transitional period.
Schematic Layout of Chart 5011 (INT 1) Tracks, Routes IM
Section.
Section designation: The letter 'T'means International.
Subsection.
Crossreference to terms in other sections.
Column 1: Numbering following the Intemational "Chart
Specifications of the 1HO". A letter in this column, eg a,
indicates a
natioral symbol for which there is no International
equivalent.
Column 2: International (INT) symbol used on Admiralty
charts.
Column 3: Term in the English language.
Column 4: Other symbol or abbreviation used on Admiralty charts,
if different from Column 2. The mark indicates that this r
representation is obsolescent.
Column 5: Numbering following the "Chart Specifications of the
1HO"..
Numbering following the superseded IHO" Standard List of Symbols
and Abbreviations"
The mark # in Columns 2, 3 and 4 indicates that this syrnbcrl
will only be found on charts adopted into the Admiralty chart
series.
Metric Charts Metric units are introduced on Admiralty charts as
they are modernised (except for charts of the waters around"
United
And States of America, where fathoms or feet continue to be
used). Metric charts can be distinguished from fathoms chars oy
Fathoms Charts their use of buff tint for land areas and the
prominent marginal legends DEPTHS IN METRES.
Chart Datum On metric charts, the reference level for soundings
is given under the chart title. On fathoms charts, the reference
level for
soundings may be given under the title; if not, it can be
deduced from the tidal information panel.
Depths The units used are given under the title of the chart.
The position of a sounding is the centre of the area covered by
the
figures.
On metric charts, depths from 0.1 m to 20.9m are generally
expressed in metres and decimetres. Where source information is
sufficiently precise, depths from 21 m to 31 m may be given in
halfmetres. All other depths are shown in whole metres.
On fathom charts, depths are generally expressed in fathoms and
feet where less than 11 fms, and in fathoms elsewhere. Where source
information is sufficiently precise, depths between 11 and 15 fms
may be given in fathoms and feet. Older charts may show fractions
of fathoms in shallow water, and a few largescale charts show all
depths in feet.
On adopted or coproduced charts these ranges may vary.
Drying heightsUnderlined figures on rocks and banks which
uncover indicate heights above chart datum. They are given in
metres and decimetres or in feet as appropriate.
Heights Heights, including overhead clearances, are given in
metres or in feet above Mean High Water Springs, Mean Higher
High
Water or Mean Sea Level; details are given in the Explanatory
Notes under the chart title. The position of a height is
normally
that of the dot alongside it, thus .79. Parentheses are used
when the figure expressing height is set apart from the object
(eg
when showing the height of a small islet).
Bearings Bearings are given from seaward and refer to the true
compass.
Sea Miles A sea mile is the length of one minute of latitude
locally, and is the principal means of expressing distance on
Admiralty
and Cables charts. A cable is onetenth of a sea mile.
Names Names on Admiralty charts are spelt in accordance with the
principles and systems approved by the Permanent Committ e
on Geographical Names for British Official Use.
A second name may be given in parentheses in the following
circumstances:
a. if the retention of a superseded rendering will facilitate
crossreference to related publications;
b. if , in the case of a name that has changed radically, the
retention of the former one will aid recognition;
c. if it is decided to retain an English conventional name in
addition to the present official rendering.
Chart Catalogues Details of Admirafty charts are given in the
"Catalogue of Admiralty Charts and Publications" (NP 131) and in
the "Home
Waters Catalogue" (NP 109), both published annually.
The Mariner's The Mariner's Handbook (NP 100) includes notes on
the following:
Handbook and the use of charts and the degree of reliance that
may be placed on them; chart supply and correction; names;
charted
other Publications navigational aids; navigational hazards;
traffic separation schemes; offshore oil and gas operations; tides
and currents;
general marine meteorology. A glossary of terms used on
Admiralty charts is also given.
Information about features represented on charts can also be
found in the following publications:
Admiralty Sailing Directions; Admiralty List of Lights and Fog
Signals; Admiralty Tide Tables and Tidal Stream Atlases;
Admiralty List of Radio Signals; Annual Notices to Mariners.
Copyright Admiralty charts and publications (inclucling this
one) are protected by Crown Copyright. They are derived from
Crown
Copyright information and from copyright information published
by other organisations. They may not be reproduced in
any material form (including photocopying or storing by
electronic means) without prior permission, which may be sought
by applying, in the first instance, to the Copyright Manager,
The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, Taunton,Somerset
TA1 2DN, UK.
Chart Number, Title, Marginal Notes IAMagnetic Features I B
Tidal Data I H Decca IS
Chart number in the Admiralty series. Where it is necessary to
distinguish Admiralty charts from others, 251
it is usual to add the prefix 'BA' (British Admiralty) to the
number.
Identification of a latticed chart (if any). Charts for which
Decca latticeoverprinted versions are available 603 bear the letter
L in the lower righthand corner inside the outer border. The
lattice prefix number is shown
against the national number.
Chart number in the International (INT) Chart series. 251.1
Publication note (imprint) showing the date of publication as a
New Chart. 252.1
252.4
Copyright note. All Admiralty charts are subject to Crown
Copyright restrictions. 253
Dates of (a) New Editions and (b) Large Corrections (abandoned
as a revision category in 1972). 252.2
Small corrections: (a) the year dates and numbers of Notices to
Mariners and (b) the dates (usually bracketed) of 252.3 minor
corrections included in reprints but not formally promulgated
(abandoned as a method of correction in 1986).
Dimensions of the inner neatlines of the chart border. In the
case of charts on Transverse Mercator and Gnomonic 222.3 p
projections, dimensions may be quoted for all borders of the chart
which differ. Fathoms charts show the 222.4 dimensions in inches eg
(38.40 x 25.40).
Corner coordinates. 232
Chart title. This should be quoted, in addition to the chart
number, whenordering a chart. 241.3
Explanatory notes on chart content; to be read before using the
chart. 242
Seals. Where an Admiralty chart is in the lnternational chart
series, the seal of the International Hydrographic 241.1
Organization (IHO) is shown in addition to the national seal.
Reproductions of international charts of other nations 241.2
(facsimile) have the seals of the original producer (left),
publisher (centre) and the 1HO (right). Reproductions of
other charts have the seals of original producer (left) and
publisher (right); charts which are coproductions carry
the seals of the nations involved in their production.
Scale of chart; on Mercator projection, at a stated latitude.
211
241.4
Linear scales on largescale plan. 221
Linear border scales (metres). On smallerscale charts, the
latitude border should be used to measure Sea miles 221.1 and
Cables.
Cautionary notes (if any) on charted detail; to be read before
using the chart. 242
Source Diagram (if any). If a Source Diagram is not shown,
details of the sources used in the compilation of the 170178 chart
are given in the explanatory notes (see 11). The Source Diagram or
notes should be studied carefully 241.9 before using the chart in
order to assess the reliability of the data used.
Reference to a largerscale chart or plan. 254
Reference to an adjoining chart of similar scale. 254
Instruction to refer to related Admiralty Publications. 243
Reference to the units used for depths measurement. The legend,
'DEPTHS IN FATHOMS', is shown on certain 241.5 more recent fathoms
charts where confusion might otherwise arise. 255.2
Conversion scales. To allow approximate conversions between
metric and fathoms and feet units. On older 280 charts conversion
tables are given instead.
Copyright Notice
of no relevance to chart users