Chart Abbreviations

[Peanut1912]

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and currently I’m learning about the navigation side of yachting and came across something that I found strange.

Reading through the abbreviations I’ve noticed that, for example the letter “R” can mean 4 different things e.g. Red/River/Restaurant/Rock.

Is this strange or am I just being weird?

Thanks

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and currently I’m learning about the navigation side of yachting and came across something that I found strange.

Reading through the abbreviations I’ve noticed that, for example the letter “R” can mean 4 different things e.g. Red/River/Restaurant/Rock.

Is this strange or am I just being weird?

Thanks

All are in different contexts, so the usage is clear. For example, R as in Red is used for the characteristics of navigation marks, River or Restaurant as annotations to charted objects and Rock in the context of the seabed.

Charts are designed to be printed with a very limited number of colours, and even that's new - I can remember black and white Admiralty charts. So annotations and symbols have to take that into account. As the standard symbols have a) developed over the years and b) are subject bro international agreements, changes happen slowly at best!

 

[TLouth7]

I can't add anything to AP's comment, but welcome to the forum!

 

[Refueler]

B&W charts .... in fathoms ....

Loved the 'end of the world charts with Sea Serpents etc. mentioned ! All seemed a shame when coloured metric charts arrived and all that artistry was lost !

 

[Peanut1912]

All are in different contexts, so the usage is clear. For example, R as in Red is used for the characteristics of navigation marks, River or Restaurant as annotations to charted objects and Rock in the context of the seabed.

Charts are designed to be printed with a very limited number of colours, and even that's new - I can remember black and white Admiralty charts. So annotations and symbols have to take that into account. As the standard symbols have a) developed over the years and b) are subject bro international agreements, changes happen slowly at best!

Thanks AP that’s really helpful!

 

[cpedw]

As an aside, I was told that in one of the early transfers of paer charts to electronic, all the R references on paper meaning "Nature of bottom - Rock" were shown as the Asterisk or Plus symbols for "isolated rock". That caused a bit of confusion and an expensive updating.

 

[Humblebee]

https://www.imray.com/uploads/Charts/Key_to_Symbols_2013.pdf
Hi Peanut, welcome to the forum.
The link above may guide you through the commoner symbols used on Imray charts, for the full works, Admiralty Chart 5011 is the definitive guide.

 

[NormanS]

As an aside, I was told that in one of the early transfers of paer charts to electronic, all the R references on paper meaning "Nature of bottom - Rock" were shown as the Asterisk or Plus symbols for "isolated rock". That caused a bit of confusion and an expensive updating.

Very true! Garmin charts had huge areas, showing "+" in water which is 80 to 100m deep. Very careless.

 

[superheat6k]

Here you go ...

Chart5011. Symbols and Abbreviations used on Admiralty paper Charts.pdf

 

[john_morris_uk]

Much as I love technology, a nice paper copy of 5011 is always on our boat. I find it a lot easier to search through as it’s logically laid out in its physical printed form.

I commend it to the OP (and welcome to the forum.)

 

[GHA]

Here you go ...

Chart5011. Symbols and Abbreviations used on Admiralty paper Charts.pdf

Thanks for the link

There's also USA chart 1 which is pretty much identical available as a download, you can zoom in as well to get better detail.
https://msi.nga.mil/api/publications/download?key=16694005/SFH00000/ChartNo1.pdf&type=view
Though the printed 5011 is always on the boat I find the digital versions actually get looked at much more, always in dropbox so available wherever you may be . And searchable so much quicker if looking for specific terms.

 

[andyp]

Although a paper copy of the Chart 5011 guide is always useful, I also use the Imray Marine Chart Symbols App.
Well laid out, either by section or alphabetically, searchable, and with a useful visual guide to the most frequently encountered symbols.

 

[superheat6k]

Thanks for the link

There's also USA chart 1 which is pretty much identical available as a download, you can zoom in as well to get better detail.
https://msi.nga.mil/api/publications/download?key=16694005/SFH00000/ChartNo1.pdf&type=view
Though the printed 5011 is always on the boat I find the digital versions actually get looked at much more, always in dropbox so available wherever you may be . And searchable so much quicker if looking for specific terms.

Likewise - didn't have that one in my nautical book library. Thanks.