Labrador Sea Nautical Charts: Marine Charts for Sailing Between Canada and Greenland

Introduction

The Labrador Sea is a vast maritime area of the North Atlantic, located between the eastern coast of Canada and south-western Greenland. It connects the North Atlantic Ocean with the Davis Strait and, further north, with Baffin Bay. This region is an important route for commercial shipping, polar expeditions and passages between North America and Greenland.

Navigation in the Labrador Sea presents specific challenges: icebergs, seasonal sea ice, fog, North Atlantic depressions and cold waters. The Canadian and Greenlandic coastlines also feature numerous fjords, islands, reefs and passages that may be insufficiently surveyed in some areas.

A Labrador Sea nautical chart helps sailors plan offshore passages, study coastal approaches and identify major navigational hazards. Paper and digital charts should be supplemented by up-to-date weather and ice information.

Main areas covered by Labrador Sea nautical charts

The Labrador coast: from the Strait of Belle Isle to Cape Chidley

The Canadian Labrador coast extends for several hundred nautical miles, from the Strait of Belle Isle to Cape Chidley, close to the entrance of Hudson Strait.

It features a succession of bays, fjords, islands and rocky coastlines. Major sailing areas include Battle Harbour, Cartwright, Hopedale, Makkovik and Nain.

Labrador nautical charts allow sailors to study approaches to these settlements, coastal channels and anchorages accessible according to seasonal conditions.

Further north, the Nunatsiavut region and the approaches to the Torngat Mountains are particularly remote. The distances between stopovers, weather conditions and the presence of sea ice require thorough preparation.

Southern Greenland and the Davis Strait

The eastern part of the Labrador Sea borders the western coast of Greenland.

The main ports and settlements in this region include Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Nanortalik and, further north, Nuuk.

Greenland nautical charts show fjords, islands, channels and coastal areas exposed to drifting ice.

The Davis Strait, located between Greenland and Baffin Island, provides access towards Baffin Bay and the Canadian Arctic regions.

Sailors must take currents, icebergs and the limitations of hydrographic surveys in some remote areas into account.

Hudson Strait and the approaches to Ungava Bay

To the north-west, the Labrador Sea connects with Hudson Strait, which provides access to Hudson Bay.

This region includes Ungava Bay, Cape Chidley and the northern coasts of Labrador and Quebec.

Nautical charts of Hudson Strait are essential for commercial vessels, scientific ships and Arctic expeditions.

Tidal currents, seasonal sea ice and rapidly changing weather conditions require continuous monitoring.

Newfoundland and the southern approaches

To the south, the Labrador Sea meets the North Atlantic near Newfoundland.

The ports of St. John’s, Bonavista and St. Anthony are departure or stopping points for voyages towards Labrador and Greenland.

The Strait of Belle Isle, between Newfoundland and Labrador, provides access to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Charts of this region are essential when planning passages between Canadian waters, the North Atlantic and Arctic territories.

What information does a Labrador Sea nautical chart contain?

A Labrador Sea nautical chart provides the main hydrographic information required for navigation:

• Water depths, soundings and bathymetric contours.

• Shoals, rocks, reefs and known wrecks.

• Lighthouses, buoys and other aids to navigation.

• Channels, harbours, anchorages and coastal access areas.

• Regulated areas, maritime installations and submarine cables where charted.

• Tidal and current information shown on applicable charts.

Conventional nautical charts do not show the current position of icebergs or the present limits of sea ice. This information must be obtained from regularly updated ice charts and specialised bulletins.

Nautical charts should also be supplemented by sailing directions, weather forecasts and the latest local navigational information.

Particular characteristics of navigation in the Labrador Sea

The Labrador Current

The Labrador Current carries cold water southwards along the Canadian coast.

It contributes to the movement of sea ice and icebergs originating in Arctic regions and Greenland.

Its influence should be considered when planning passages, particularly near the Labrador and Newfoundland coasts.

Icebergs and sea ice

The presence of icebergs is one of the main hazards in this region.

Ice can drift under the influence of winds and currents. Its distribution varies considerably depending on the season and weather conditions.

Ice charts published by the Canadian Ice Service indicate ice concentration, ice type and geographical distribution. They should be consulted in addition to nautical charts.

Fog and weather conditions

The meeting of the cold Labrador Current with warmer, humid air masses encourages the formation of fog.

North Atlantic depressions can also produce strong winds and heavy swell.

Sailors should use weather forecasts specifically intended for offshore navigation and allow substantial safety margins when planning passages.

Main publishers of Labrador Sea nautical charts

Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS)

The Canadian Hydrographic Service is the principal source for official charting of Canadian waters.

It publishes, among other products, Chart 5001, Labrador Sea / Mer du Labrador, at a scale of 1:3,500,000. This general chart is designed for planning major passages through the region.

The CHS also publishes coastal charts and detailed harbour plans, including Chart 4712, which covers several areas of the Labrador coast.

Danish Geodata Agency: charts of Greenland

The Danish Geodata Agency is responsible for producing official nautical charts for Greenlandic waters.

It publishes paper charts, electronic vector charts and raster products covering different sections of the Greenlandic coastline.

These documents are particularly important when approaching fjords and ports in south-western Greenland.

Admiralty and international charting solutions

Admiralty products from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) contribute to the charting used for major international passages.

Official Canadian data are also incorporated, under licensing arrangements, by certain digital navigation solution providers, including Garmin and Navionics.

The exact geographical coverage and regulatory status of individual products should be checked before navigation.

Paper or digital nautical charts for sailing in the Labrador Sea?

A paper nautical chart provides an overall view of maritime routes and is independent of electronic equipment.

It can be used to plan passages between Newfoundland, Labrador and Greenland, plot positions and identify known hazards.

Digital nautical charts make hydrographic information easier to consult on compatible navigation equipment. Vector Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are used in particular with professional ECDIS systems.

In this remote region, it is advisable to have redundant navigation methods and to check chart updates before departure.

Ice charts, notices to mariners and weather bulletins remain essential regardless of the chart format being used.

How to choose the right scale for a Labrador Sea nautical chart

The appropriate scale depends on the intended route.

A small-scale general chart is suitable for planning a passage between Canada and Greenland.

Intermediate-scale coastal charts allow sailors to study routes along the Labrador coast and approaches to the principal fjords.

Large-scale charts are required when preparing harbour entrances, passages between islands and anchorages.

In areas where hydrographic surveys are incomplete, a larger display scale does not guarantee greater data accuracy.

Conclusion

A Labrador Sea nautical chart is an essential document for navigating this demanding region of the North Atlantic.

From the Newfoundland coast to the fjords of Greenland, and from the Strait of Belle Isle to the Davis Strait, the navigation conditions require thorough preparation.

Suitable, up-to-date charting, supplemented by weather and ice information, helps sailors plan passages, anticipate hazards and improve safety at sea.

FAQ – Labrador Sea nautical charts

Which nautical chart should I choose for crossing the Labrador Sea?

A general chart covering the entire basin is required for passage planning. Canadian Chart 5001 is one reference for this region. It should be supplemented by detailed coastal charts and harbour plans for the areas concerned.

Which charts should I use when sailing along the Labrador coast?

Official Canadian Hydrographic Service charts cover the principal areas of the Labrador coast. The coastal charts and harbour plans corresponding precisely to the intended route should be selected.

Are digital nautical charts available for the Labrador Sea?

Yes. The Canadian Hydrographic Service provides digital products, including raster charts and Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs). Availability and coverage should be checked for each sailing area.

How can I find out where icebergs are located in the Labrador Sea?

Conventional nautical charts do not provide the current position of icebergs. Ice charts, Canadian Ice Service bulletins and available maritime safety information should be consulted before and during the passage.

Which nautical chart should I use when sailing between Newfoundland and Greenland?

A general Labrador Sea chart can be used to plan the offshore route. More detailed Canadian and Greenlandic charts are then required for coastal and harbour approaches.

What is the best time of year to sail in the Labrador Sea?

Navigation is generally undertaken during the summer season, when some coastal areas are more accessible. However, ice conditions vary considerably from year to year and from one area to another. The timing of a passage should be based on the latest available ice and weather information.