Shom C Nautical Chart – English Channel

Introduction

The Shom C nautical chart for the English Channel is an official paper nautical chart designed for voyage planning and navigation in the English Channel and its approaches. This particularly busy maritime area lies between the French and British coasts, extending from the approaches to Brittany and the Cotentin Peninsula to the Strait of Dover and the North Sea.

The English Channel is a complex navigation area due to its intense maritime traffic, strong tidal currents, numerous islands, shoals, banks, channels, traffic separation schemes and proximity to many commercial and leisure ports.

Shom C charts are paper charts supplied flat and generally rolled in a tube. They are suitable for passage planning, coastal and offshore navigation, as well as for gaining an overall view of the navigation area. The Shom C catalogue covering the English Channel includes general, coastal and more detailed charts dedicated to harbour approaches and sensitive navigation areas.

The English Channel: a strategic maritime area

The English Channel is one of Europe's busiest maritime routes. It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea and forms a major shipping route between the ports of Northern Europe, the Atlantic coast and the French coastline.

For navigators, the English Channel has several specific characteristics:

• heavy commercial shipping traffic;

• strong tidal currents;

• significant changes in water levels;

• numerous banks and shoals;

• islands and archipelagos;

• harbour entrance channels;

• traffic separation schemes;

• regulated areas;

• frequent night navigation;

• rapidly changing weather conditions.

A Shom C English Channel nautical chart allows these different elements to be viewed within their geographical environment and helps the navigator prepare an appropriate route before sailing.

French coastline covered by Shom C English Channel charts

The French coastline of the English Channel includes numerous charted areas extending from northern Brittany to the Strait of Dover.

To the west, the charts cover areas around Ushant, the coast of Finistère, Saint-Brieuc Bay and the Côtes-d'Armor. Further east, the coverage extends to the Cotentin Peninsula, the Bay of Seine, the Normandy coast and finally the Strait of Dover.

The catalogue includes areas such as:

• Saint-Malo;

• Dinard;

• Cancale;

• Saint-Brieuc;

• Paimpol;

• Bréhat;

• Saint-Cast;

• Cap Fréhel;

• Granville;

• Chausey Islands;

• Cherbourg;

• Barfleur;

• Fécamp;

• Dieppe;

• Le Havre;

• Ouistreham;

• Boulogne-sur-Mer;

• Calais;

• Dunkirk.

Detailed charts make it possible to move from a general representation of the English Channel to a more precise view of the coastline, harbour approaches and coastal navigation areas.

British coastline and Strait of Dover

Because the English Channel is a maritime area shared by France and the United Kingdom, passage planning must also take the English coast into account.

Shom C charts for the English Channel can therefore cover areas extending from south-western England to the Strait of Dover.

British navigation areas and ports associated with this traffic include:

• Plymouth;

• Dartmouth;

• Portland;

• Weymouth;

• Portsmouth;

• Southampton;

• Brighton;

• Dover;

• Dungeness;

• Newhaven.

The Casquets area, offshore from the Channel Islands, is also an important navigation area for routes between France and England.

Shom C charts allow navigators to identify traffic separation schemes, isolated dangers, shoals, banks, islands and the various possible routes.

The Channel Islands

The Channel Islands occupy a particularly important position in the English Channel.

Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and the other islands of the archipelago are located close to the French coast and constitute highly specific navigation areas.

The presence of rocks, shoals, strong currents and relatively narrow passages makes the use of charts at an appropriate scale essential.

The areas around Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney are particularly relevant to leisure sailing, France–England crossings and routes between Brittany, the Cotentin Peninsula and the south coast of England.

English Channel ports

The English Channel provides access to numerous commercial, naval, fishing and leisure ports.

On the French side, the main ports and port areas include Cherbourg, Saint-Malo, Granville, Le Havre, Dieppe, Fécamp, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais and Dunkirk.

Le Havre is a major port area, with approaches and channels requiring sufficiently detailed chart coverage.

Cherbourg also occupies a strategic position at the northern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula, close to the main cross-Channel shipping routes.

On the British side, the ports of Portsmouth, Southampton, Dover, Weymouth, Plymouth and Dartmouth are connected to the main navigation routes across the English Channel.

For harbour approaches, a general English Channel chart may not always provide sufficient detail. A chart at an appropriate scale for the specific area is generally required.

Shom C English Channel charts and different scales

The Shom C English Channel catalogue includes charts corresponding to several levels of navigation. These include offshore, coastal and more detailed charts.

For example, Shom C 7040C provides a general representation of the English Channel. Other charts cover much more specific areas such as the Strait of Dover, approaches to Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Dieppe, Fécamp, Le Havre, Cherbourg or the Brittany coast.

Some charts are specifically dedicated to ports or harbour approaches.

The choice of scale therefore depends directly on the intended use:

• preparation of an English Channel crossing: general or offshore chart;

• coastal navigation: larger-scale chart;

• navigation between islands: chart appropriate to the area;

• harbour approach: approach or harbour chart;

• navigation in a channel: large-scale chart.

The more restricted and complex the area, the more detailed the chart required.

What information is shown on a Shom C nautical chart?

A Shom C chart presents the information required to understand the maritime environment.

It can be used to identify:

• soundings and depths;

• depth contours;

• shoals;

• rocks;

• wrecks;

• reefs;

• buoys and navigation marks;

• lights and their characteristics;

• channels;

• regulated areas;

• traffic separation schemes;

• ports and harbour facilities;

• anchorages;

• landmarks;

• certain information relating to currents and navigation.

In the English Channel, the interpretation of soundings and tidal information is particularly important. The relatively shallow waters found in some areas, combined with the large tidal range, can significantly alter navigation conditions.

Differences between Shom C, L, G, Z and Raster charts

Shom C and L charts provide standard nautical chart information. The main difference is their physical presentation: Shom C charts are generally flat or rolled, while Shom L charts are folded.

Shom G charts provide additional information about the nature and distribution of seabed sediments. Shom Z charts provide an overlay dedicated to exercise and firing areas. Shom Raster products are digital versions intended for use in compatible software environments.

Preparing for navigation in the English Channel

Preparing a passage in the English Channel requires consideration of distance, weather, tides, currents, shipping traffic and destination.

For a crossing between France and England, several charts at different scales may be required.

For example, a passage between Cherbourg and Portsmouth does not have the same charting requirements as coastal navigation between Saint-Malo and Granville or an approach to Dunkirk.

Paper charts can also be used alongside a GPS, chartplotter or electronic navigation system. They provide an overall representation of the route and allow the navigator to visually check essential navigation information.

Nautical publications, atlases, navigation manuals and complementary documents can also be used when preparing an English Channel crossing.

Why use a Shom C chart for the English Channel?

The English Channel is an area where accurate nautical charting is particularly important.

The combination of tidal currents, commercial shipping traffic, numerous hazards, traffic separation schemes and changes in depth requires careful voyage planning.

A Shom C chart provides a structured representation of the relevant maritime area and allows the route to be planned according to the appropriate scale.

It is suitable for leisure sailors as well as professional navigators, sailing schools, instructors, fishermen and anyone preparing a cross-Channel passage.

Conclusion

The Shom C English Channel nautical chart range provides appropriate cartographic support for planning and navigating one of Europe's busiest maritime areas.

From Saint-Malo to Dunkirk, from Cherbourg to Le Havre, from Boulogne-sur-Mer to Calais and along the English coast, the different Shom C charts cover the principal areas of the English Channel, Strait of Dover and their approaches.

The choice of chart mainly depends on the navigation area, distance and level of detail required. A general chart may be suitable for planning an offshore crossing, while a larger-scale chart becomes necessary for coastal navigation, harbour approaches, channels, islands and areas containing numerous hazards.

FAQ – Shom C English Channel Nautical Chart

What is a Shom C English Channel nautical chart?

A Shom C English Channel nautical chart is an official paper nautical chart, generally supplied flat or rolled, designed for voyage planning and navigation in the English Channel and its approaches.

What area does a Shom C English Channel chart cover?

Depending on the chart reference, it may cover part of the French or British coast, the Strait of Dover, the Channel Islands, the Bay of Seine or a larger section of the English Channel.

Which ports are covered by Shom C English Channel charts?

Major ports and navigation areas include Saint-Malo, Granville, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Fécamp, Dieppe, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Calais and Dunkirk in France, as well as Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Weymouth and Dover in the United Kingdom.

Which Shom chart should be used to cross the English Channel?

For a crossing, a chart covering a sufficiently wide area can be used to plan the passage. Depending on the route, it may be supplemented with larger-scale charts for coastal areas, islands and harbour approaches.

What is the difference between a Shom C and a Shom L chart?

Shom C charts are generally flat or rolled paper charts, while Shom L charts are folded to A4 size. Their physical presentation and practical onboard use differ, although both contain the appropriate cartographic information for their respective areas and scales.

What is a Shom G chart used for?

A Shom G is a sedimentological chart. It provides standard nautical information while also adding information about seabed characteristics and sediments, making it particularly relevant to sedimentological, fishing and professional applications.

What is a Shom Z chart used for?

A Shom Z, or Zonex chart, includes an overlay showing exercise and firing areas used by maritime forces. The corresponding information should be supplemented by Notices to Mariners.

What is a Shom Raster chart?

A Shom Raster chart is a digital reproduction of a Shom C nautical chart designed for use with certain mapping and navigation software.

Is one Shom C chart enough to navigate in the English Channel?

This depends on the intended voyage. Offshore passage planning, coastal navigation and harbour approaches require different levels of detail. Several charts may therefore be required.

Why are tides important in the English Channel?

The English Channel is characterised by tidal currents and significant changes in water level. These phenomena must be taken into account when planning a route, particularly in shallow waters, channels, straits and harbour approaches.

Do Shom C charts show currents and hazards?

Charts show soundings, depth contours, shoals, rocks, wrecks, navigation aids, lights, channels, ports, anchorages and certain information relating to currents and maritime regulations.

What complementary documents should be used with a Shom C English Channel chart?

Depending on the voyage, the chart can be supplemented with nautical publications, atlases, navigation manuals, tide and current information, weather information and Notices to Mariners.