Admiralty nautical charts – Mediterranean Sea

Introduction

Admiralty nautical charts of the Mediterranean Sea are designed to support navigation throughout the Mediterranean basin. Published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), they provide an accurate cartographic representation of coastlines, seabeds, hazards, navigational aids and the main ports and maritime areas of the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean offers a very wide range of navigation conditions. It includes rocky and sandy coastlines, numerous islands and archipelagos, straits, channels, shoals, areas of heavy maritime traffic and numerous port approaches. Navigation in the Mediterranean may therefore involve a short coastal passage in France, a crossing between the Greek islands, a route towards Turkey or a passage of several hundred nautical miles between different Mediterranean countries.

An Admiralty nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea can be used to study depths, soundings, hazards, rocks, shoals, wrecks, lights, lighthouses, buoys, channels, ports and the main coastal landmarks.

Admiralty nautical charts for the Mediterranean Sea

The Admiralty range covers numerous maritime areas throughout the Mediterranean basin. The different chart references make it possible to select coverage corresponding precisely to the navigation area and the required level of detail.

The choice of an Admiralty nautical chart depends in particular on:

• the geographical area;

• the country or countries concerned;

• the departure port;

• the destination;

• the planned route;

• the distance from the coast;

• the required scale;

• the ports and approaches to be prepared;

• the type of navigation.

A general chart can be used to plan a long-distance route or view a significant part of the Mediterranean basin. For coastal navigation or a port approach, a larger-scale chart provides greater detail.

Navigating in the Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean is bordered by numerous countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Major areas include France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Malta, as well as several North African countries.

This geographical diversity results in very different navigation environments.

A Mediterranean nautical chart allows navigators to identify:

• depths and soundings;

• depth contours;

• rocks and shoals;

• reefs;

• wrecks;

• buoys and navigation marks;

• lights and lighthouses;

• channels;

• regulated areas;

• shipping routes;

• ports and harbour facilities;

• coastal landmarks.

This information helps the navigator plan a route according to the seabed configuration, coastline and main hazards encountered.

Admiralty nautical charts of the Western Mediterranean

The Western Mediterranean includes the French and Spanish coasts, the Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and the western Italian coast.

This area is particularly busy with recreational boats and commercial vessels. Navigation may take place close to the coast or over longer distances between islands and mainland shores.

An Admiralty nautical chart of the Western Mediterranean can be used to plan:

• a passage between France and Corsica;

• a crossing towards the Balearic Islands;

• navigation around Sardinia;

• a route towards Sicily;

• navigation along the Italian coast;

• a passage between Spain and the Mediterranean islands.

The appropriate chart reference depends on the exact area and required scale.

Admiralty nautical charts of the Eastern Mediterranean

The Eastern Mediterranean includes Greece, the Greek islands, Turkey, Cyprus and neighbouring maritime areas.

This part of the Mediterranean has a particularly complex configuration, with numerous islands, archipelagos, straits and coastal passages.

Admiralty charts can be used to plan navigation around:

• the Ionian Islands;

• the Aegean Sea;

• Crete;

• the Dodecanese;

• the Turkish coast;

• Cyprus.

In the Greek archipelagos, a large-scale chart can be particularly useful for identifying passages between islands, depths, isolated hazards and anchorage areas.

Admiralty nautical charts of Greece and the Greek Islands

Greece is one of the main recreational boating areas in the Mediterranean. The Ionian Islands, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete and the numerous islands of the Aegean Sea offer a wide variety of routes.

An Admiralty nautical chart of Greece can be used to plan:

• a cruise between several islands;

• coastal navigation;

• a passage across the Aegean Sea;

• a route towards Turkey;

• an approach to a Greek port;

• navigation through an archipelago.

Selecting the appropriate scale is particularly important when navigating in areas containing numerous islands and hazards.

Admiralty nautical charts of Italy, Corsica and Sardinia

Italy occupies a central position in the Mediterranean and includes several important navigation areas. Corsica and Sardinia are also major destinations for recreational boating.

Admiralty nautical charts can be used to plan routes between:

• France and Corsica;

• Corsica and Sardinia;

• Sardinia and mainland Italy;

• Sicily and Italy;

• Italy and Greece.

Depending on the route, different scales may be required, moving from an overall view of the passage to more detailed chart coverage of coastal and port approaches.

Straits and strategic passages in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean includes several important straits and maritime passages. These include the Strait of Gibraltar, the Strait of Messina, the Strait of Sicily and the various passages between the Greek islands and Turkey.

These areas may experience significant maritime traffic and specific local navigation conditions.

Chart preparation should make it possible to identify:

• channels;

• traffic areas;

• depths;

• hazards;

• navigational aids;

• narrow passages;

• port approaches.

For these areas, selecting an Admiralty chart at an appropriate scale is particularly important.

Mediterranean islands and archipelagos

Islands represent a major part of Mediterranean navigation. Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, the Balearic Islands, the Greek islands, Malta, Cyprus and numerous archipelagos offer very different navigation environments.

A large-scale nautical chart provides greater detail on:

• channels between islands;

• shoals;

• rocks;

• reefs;

• depths;

• lights;

• navigation marks;

• anchorage areas;

• port approaches.

For a cruise involving several stopovers, several chart references may therefore be required.

Understanding the scale of an Admiralty chart

Scale is an essential criterion when choosing a nautical chart.

A small scale covers a large area and provides an overall view. It is particularly suitable for planning a passage or a long-distance route.

A large scale covers a smaller area but provides greater detail. It is particularly suitable for:

• coastal navigation;

• port approaches;

• channels;

• passages between islands;

• areas with numerous hazards;

• harbour entrances and exits.

A Mediterranean voyage may therefore require several charts at different scales.

Navigational information shown on Admiralty charts

Admiralty charts contain extensive information intended for navigation planning and execution.

Depending on the chart reference, they may show:

• soundings;

• depths;

• depth contours;

• rocks;

• shoals;

• reefs;

• wrecks;

• lights;

• lighthouses;

• buoys;

• navigation marks;

• channels;

• regulated areas;

• shipping routes;

• ports;

• maritime facilities;

• prominent landmarks.

Reading this information helps the navigator understand the characteristics of the area and plan a route suited to local conditions.

Admiralty paper charts and electronic navigation

Admiralty paper charts remain useful for planning navigation in the Mediterranean, including on board vessels equipped with electronic navigation systems.

They can be used to:

• plan a passage;

• plot a route;

• visualise the entire voyage;

• study hazards;

• prepare approaches;

• maintain a representation independent of electronic systems.

Paper charts and electronic navigation systems can therefore be used as complementary tools when preparing a voyage.

How to choose an Admiralty nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea?

The selection of the appropriate chart reference should begin with a precise definition of the route.

The main criteria are:

1. The geographical area.

2. The country or countries concerned.

3. The departure port.

4. The destination.

5. Planned stopovers.

6. Alternative routes.

7. The required scale.

8. The required level of detail.

9. The port approaches to be prepared.

For a passage between France and Corsica, for example, a chart suitable for the overall route can be supplemented by larger-scale charts for approaches to Corsica and its ports.

For a cruise in the Cyclades or Dodecanese, several references may be required to cover the different navigation areas and port approaches.

Example of planning a Mediterranean passage

Consider a sailing yacht planning a passage between Marseille and Corsica.

The first step is to identify the maritime area between the departure port and destination. An appropriate chart can then be used to study the general route, depths, hazards and main navigation areas.

As the vessel approaches Corsica, larger-scale charts may be required to prepare the arrival, identify coastal hazards and study port approaches.

The same approach can be applied to a passage between France and the Balearic Islands, between Corsica and Sardinia, or between Greece and Turkey.

What types of navigation are Admiralty Mediterranean charts suitable for?

Admiralty nautical charts of the Mediterranean Sea can be used for:

• recreational boating;

• coastal cruising;

• passages between Mediterranean countries;

• navigation between islands;

• yacht delivery voyages;

• professional navigation;

• port approaches;

• long-distance voyages;

• route planning in the Western Mediterranean;

• route planning in the Eastern Mediterranean.

They allow chart preparation to be adapted to the distance, route and type of navigation.

Chart coverage suited to navigation in the Mediterranean

The considerable geographical diversity of the Mediterranean basin requires chart coverage to be organised according to the different stages of a voyage.

A voyage may therefore require:

• a general chart for route planning;

• one or more coastal charts;

• large-scale charts for islands and archipelagos;

• detailed charts for port approaches;

• additional publications covering local conditions, tides and currents.

This approach provides the level of detail appropriate to each navigation situation.

Conclusion

Admiralty nautical charts of the Mediterranean Sea are designed to support navigation throughout the Mediterranean basin, from Spain and France to Greece, Turkey and North Africa, depending on the coverage provided by each chart reference.

They allow navigators to study depths, hazards, rocks, shoals, reefs, wrecks, lights, buoyage, channels and ports required for route planning.

The presence of numerous islands, straits, archipelagos and port areas makes selecting the appropriate chart reference and scale particularly important.

When choosing an Admiralty nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea, it is therefore important to consider the geographical area, route, ports concerned, required level of detail and intended type of navigation.

FAQ – Admiralty nautical charts of the Mediterranean Sea

Which Admiralty nautical chart should I choose for navigation in the Mediterranean?

The choice depends on the geographical area, departure port, destination, route and required scale. A general chart can be supplemented with larger-scale charts for coastal navigation and port approaches.

Do Admiralty charts cover the entire Mediterranean Sea?

The Admiralty range includes numerous references covering different regions of the Mediterranean. The appropriate references should be selected according to the specific area being navigated and the required level of detail.

Is there an Admiralty nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea?

Yes. Several Admiralty chart references provide coverage of different areas of the Mediterranean, with scales and geographical coverage suited to different types of navigation.

Which Admiralty chart should I use to navigate between France and Corsica?

The choice depends on the route and required scale. A chart suitable for the passage can be supplemented with larger-scale charts for approaches to Corsica and its ports.

Which Admiralty charts should I use for navigation in Greece?

The appropriate reference depends on the area concerned, such as the Ionian Islands, Aegean Sea, Cyclades, Dodecanese, Crete or other regions. Navigation through archipelagos often requires sufficiently detailed chart coverage.

Do Admiralty charts cover the Greek islands?

Yes. Different Admiralty references cover the maritime areas around the Greek islands. The appropriate chart depends on the archipelago, route and required scale.

What scale should I choose for navigation among Mediterranean islands?

A large scale is generally preferable for navigation in archipelagos because it provides greater detail on channels, depths, rocks, shoals, navigation marks and hazards.

What information can be found on an Admiralty nautical chart of the Mediterranean Sea?

Depending on the chart reference, it may show depths, soundings, depth contours, rocks, shoals, reefs, wrecks, lights, lighthouses, buoys, navigation marks, channels, ports, regulated areas and other information useful for navigation.

Are Admiralty charts suitable for recreational boating in the Mediterranean?

Yes. They can be used to plan coastal cruises, passages, navigation between islands, port approaches and long-distance voyages.

Do I need several charts to navigate in the Mediterranean?

Depending on the route, several chart references may be required. A general chart can be used to plan the route, while larger-scale charts are useful for coastal navigation, islands and port approaches.

What is the difference between a general and a coastal Admiralty chart?

A general chart covers a larger area and allows overall route planning. A coastal chart covers a smaller area and provides greater detail for navigation close to the coast.

How do I choose an Admiralty chart for navigation in the Mediterranean?

You should determine the area to be covered, departure port, destination, possible stopovers, scale and required level of detail. The appropriate Admiralty reference can then be selected according to its geographical coverage and the planned route.