Icelandic Hydrographic Office Nautical Chart

Navigation around Iceland requires nautical charts offering the highest levels of reliability and accuracy. Strategically located at the junction of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, Iceland has a coastline of more than 4,900 kilometres, characterised by deep fjords, complex shoals and underwater volcanic areas. Choosing the right chart for your type of navigation is essential for safety and regulatory compliance, as these waters are exposed to extreme weather conditions, ongoing volcanic and seismic activity, and strong currents. The charts produced by the Icelandic Hydrographic Office (IHO), available from Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop, provide the official reference for all mariners operating in these demanding waters.

What is this nautical chart used for?

The value of an official IHO nautical chart lies in its ability to provide comprehensive hydrographic information, turning the navigation chart into a strategic decision-making tool.

• Voyage planning and safety: Essential for planning routes along Iceland’s coastline, through its fjords and on approaches to ports.

• Onboard backup: Although digital navigation is widespread, the paper chart remains an essential backup solution, particularly in remote areas where electronic equipment may be exposed to difficult conditions.

• Bathymetric accuracy: Detailed depth information helps navigators anticipate risks associated with changing seabeds and pronounced underwater relief.

• Operational value: Unlike generic charts, official charts incorporate cautionary information relating to seismic activity and seasonal drifting ice conditions.

Which type of navigator is this chart recommended for?

Nautic Way offers these charts to a wide range of users requiring safe and reliable navigation in the North Atlantic.

• Professional mariners and commercial shipping: For whom official status and compliance with International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards are required.

• Offshore fishermen and industrial vessels: Used to support safe operations in Iceland’s productive but potentially hazardous fishing grounds.

• Experienced leisure sailors and long-distance skippers: To support safe passages and port calls in remote fjords.

• Scientific and polar expeditions: A reference navigation resource for research missions operating in unstable and demanding environments.

• Navigation schools: An ideal training resource for learning standardised nautical symbology in real-world navigation conditions.

Reading and understanding the chart

The strength of IHO charts lies in their rigorous cartographic design, developed with practical navigation and safety in mind.

• Scales and coverage: The catalogue includes 80 products covering coastal areas (53 charts), nearshore areas (24 charts) and offshore areas (3 charts).

• Detailed bathymetry: Depths are expressed in metres, with closely spaced depth contours and an accurate representation of the underwater terrain.

• Essential information: Navigators will find port infrastructure, steep cliffs, lighthouses and comprehensive aids to navigation, including lights, buoys and coastal landmarks.

• Professional format: Official paper charts are supplied flat and rolled in a tube for optimum use on the chart table.

• Geospatial data: All charts are based on the official hydrographic databases of the Icelandic Hydrographic Office, operating under the authority of the Icelandic Coast Guard.

Reliability, updates and safety

Safety at sea depends directly on keeping hydrographic information continuously up to date.

• Regular updates: The IHO regularly publishes Notices to Mariners incorporating new bathymetric surveys and changes to aids to navigation.

• Printed to order: At Nautic Way, all nautical charts are printed to order to ensure that you receive the latest available corrections at the time of purchase.

• Caution and limitations: Despite the accuracy of hydrographic surveys, caution remains essential, as volcanic and seismic activity can cause certain seabeds to change rapidly.

• Regulations: In accordance with Article L221-28 of the French Consumer Code, these products cannot be returned or exchanged because of their rapid obsolescence.

Nautic Way expertise for mariners

Choosing Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop means relying on a recognised specialist in international nautical charts and maritime documentation.

• Specialist reference: Nautic Way specialises in nautical charts and navigation books, with a catalogue of more than 25,000 references.

• Specialist advice: Our team assists demanding navigators in selecting the appropriate navigation products, drawing on recognised professional expertise.

• Location and service: Based at 9 rue Benjamin Rabier, 85300 Challans, France, Nautic Way offers official charts produced in accordance with IHO standards.

• Quality commitment: We select essential navigation products to help skippers navigate with precision, safety and confidence.

FAQ

Which nautical chart should I choose for navigation in this area?

The choice depends on your route and the scale of navigation required. You can use the interactive chart map on Nautic Way to identify the exact chart numbers required, from detailed coastal navigation to offshore routes towards Greenland.

Is this chart sufficient on its own for safe navigation?

Although comprehensive, an official nautical chart is an essential foundation that should form part of a broader navigation strategy, together with other nautical documents such as sailing directions and almanacs, to ensure comprehensive risk management.

How often should I replace my IHO chart?

It is essential to use the latest edition available. As we print charts to order with the latest available updates, we recommend replacing your charts before each expedition to ensure that safety-critical information is as accurate and current as possible.

Can it be used with a GPS?

Yes. Official IHO paper charts allow accurate manual plotting of GPS positions, enabling navigators to cross-check electronic navigation data and maintain consistency with their GPS systems.

What is the difference compared with other charting products?

The Icelandic Hydrographic Office is Iceland’s official hydrographic authority. Unlike private publishers, its charts provide the official reference for Icelandic waters and are produced in accordance with international hydrographic standards.