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Charts

Avoiding specific hazards

Being prepared goes beyond having your boat and equipment in tip-top shape. Follow these tips:

  • Check marine charts for overhead obstacles, bridges or underwater cables you may encounter in the area you will be navigating.
  • Read marine charts with related publications like Sailing Directions. Looking at tide tables and current atlases will also help. They may indicate water levels, times of low, slack and high tides and the direction of water flow.
  • Stay away from designated swimming areas. Even canoes and kayaks can easily injure swimmers.
  • Avoid operating close to shore and look out for diving flags, especially on days when the sun’s glare is strong. Diving or snorkelling operations could be taking place beneath you.

Talk to knowledgeable local residents if you are in an area that is not covered by marine charts. They may be able to point out low-head dams, rapids, white water, local wind conditions, currents and areas of rapid build up of high wave conditions.

Charts, tide and current tables and more

For information on nautical charts, tide and current tables, Sailing Directions, the Canadian Aids to Navigation System, Radio Aids to Marine Navigation and List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals visit the Canadian Hydrographic Service or contact the Canadian Hydrographic Service at the address below.

Canadian Hydrographic Service Chart Distribution Office Ottawa, Ontario 1-613-998-4931

Official digital raster charts from the Canadian Hydrographic Service are available exclusively from Nautical Data International. These charts are an electronic picture of the paper version that includes every detail of the official paper charts and are available at the Nautical Data International Canadian Marine Electronic Charts and Data or by calling 1-800-563-0634.

Using nautical charts

An open body of water may seem spacious and accommodating, but remember there are no defined pathways for travelling on water. In fact, it is the absence of defined pathways, as well as signage to clearly tell us where we are, that makes navigation difficult. Operators should know:

  • How to use a compass along with marine charts
  • How to plot a course
  • Positioning methods
  • How to use electronic navigation equipment
  • Navigational references such as tide tables; the Canadian buoyage system, navigation lights and signals, Notices to Mariners, and Sailing Directions

Small boats should avoid potential danger and steer clear of rapids, currents and commercial shipping channels.

The Canadian Coast Guard publishes monthly Notices to Mariners that have important information and amendments to marine charts and publications. These notices are free and can be obtained at Notice to Mariners. Obtain as much information as possible about the area you will be navigating before you go.

The Canadian Hydrographic Service is the top source for information on nautical charts, tide and current tables, Sailing Directions, the Canadian Aids to Navigation System, Radio Aids to Marine Navigation, the List of Lights and Buoys and Fog Signals. Visit the Canadian Hydrographic Service for more information.

Date modified:
2010-01-14