Sea charts - Just south of the sea

Sea charts are a type of maritime map that is the only guide for safe sea trips.

The earliest chart is the 14-17 century Portland map, which is supplied to the maritime, on the map, full of azimuth rays.The maritime house relies on those azimuths and the compass can find its direction on the sea . On the map, the coastline, the bay, the island, the shore, the shore, the mountain range were also drawn to help the navigators know the objects.

Today's charts are much more complicated than Portland seafoods. In addition to the maritime routes, the hydrological elements of the sea, the topography of the sea and landforms near the sea, obstacles, maritime stations, lighthouses, ports, straits, islands, wind directions, azimuths, . are written on the chart.

Tafelbaai chart in 1675 (Photo: digital-fine-art)

The hydrological element of the sea includes deep water, tides, ocean currents, swirling pools, glaciers, and freezing boundary lines . The topography of the seabed consists of seabed mountains, reefs and sea areas. Obstacles (obstructions) are mainly reefs, shallow beaches, dangerous roads, sunken vessels, fishing equipment and torpedo drop zones. Marine services include maritime guides, lighthouses, lampposts and landmarks.

Charts today have many types such as total marine, oceanographic chart, near sea charts (near sea), coastline map, bay map, collectively referred to as sea charts.