Nautical Charts (cont.)

The Charts and Nautical Publications Regulations require pleasure craft operators to carry nautical charts on board unless they know the location and character of charted:

Operators should use only those charts that are the most up-to-date and of an appropriate scale.

For information on obtaining nautical charts, visit the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) website. Many charts are available on CD in either raster or electronic (ENC) format. When you use an electronic chart with a global positioning system (GPS), you can see your pleasure craft on the screen in real-time, making navigation safer.
Additional information that cannot be shown on a chart is available in the Sailing Directions booklets. To make sure you are carrying the latest copy of a booklet, visit the Fisheries and Oceans Canada website.

If you are boating in an area where nautical charts are not available, ask local persons about:

Course Outline