U.S. Chart No. 1 Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms used on Paper and Electronic Navigational Charts

Presentation of Two Symbology Sets

 This edition of U.S. Chart No. 1 has a new name and a new look. It's title is now Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms used on Paper and Electronic Navigational Charts. For the first time, U.S. Chart No. 1 presents both of the major symbiology sets used for marine navigation.

 As in previous editions, the symbols used on paper nautical charts produced by NOAA and the NGA and digital raster representations of those charts, such as NOAA Raster Nautical Chart (NOAA RNC's), are presented in lettered sections organized in categories, such as Landmarks, Depths, and Lights. New in this edition is the inclusion of the corresponding symbols used to portray Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) as specified by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO).

Other Non-ECDIS Digital Displays May Portray Data Differently

 Navigation systems certified to meet the exacting performance standards established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) are said to be ECDIS "type approved." The symbology used to display ENC's or other non-ENC navigational data on non-ECDIS systems, such as geographic information systems, recreational GPS and other chart display systems can differ significantly from the symbology specified for ECDIS type approved systems. U.S. Chart No. 1 only shows the symbology used on ECDIS.