U.S. Chart No. 1 Includes ENC Symbols
For the 65 years since the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey issued the first edition of U.S. Chart No. 1 in 1948, mariners have had a standard guide for understanding the symbols, abbreviations and terms used on paper nautical charts. A new edition of that guide also describes the symbols specified by the International Hydrographic Organization for the display of electronic navigational charts (ENC) on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).
Several maritime nations produce their own versions of Chart 1. The U.S. Chart No. 1 describes the symbols used on paper nautical charts produced by NOAA and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
According to Commander Shep Smith, division chief of Coast Survey’s Marine Chart Division, navigational charts moved to electronic format more than 15 years ago, and downloads of NOAA ENCs now far outpace sales of paper charts. Although most of the symbology used to display ENCs is intuitive to the experienced mariner, they will be safer when U.S. Chart No. 1 explains the symbols that appear on their electronic displays.
U.S. Chart No. 1: Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms used on Paper and Electronic Navigational Charts, produced jointly by NOAA and NGA, is actually more like a book than a chart. The 129-page Edition 12, supersedes all previous editions and is available for free download from the Coast Survey website.
