Aqua Map provides users with a clear Nautical Chart designed for modern displays, featuring intuitive symbols and realistic colors.

Here is the complete list of symbols used in Aqua Map charts, along with their meanings. Note that these symbols are tailored for vector charts; raster charts display symbols as they appear on the original chart.

Buoys & Beacons (Lateral)

Click here to see the IALA (International Association Lighthouses Authorities) System for more information about the Lateral Marks Maritime Buoyage System.

Green Lateral mark buoy (CAN)

IALA "A" : Starboard hand marks with conical topmark (if any).

IALA "B" : Port hand marks with cylindrical topmark (if any).

 Red Lateral mark buoy (NUN)

IALA "A" : Port hand marks with cylindrical topmark (if any).

IALA "B" : Starboard hand marks with conical topmark (if any).

Bifurcation mark buoy

This mark indicates a "preferred" channel (often, a deep channel suitable for heavy commercial traffic) lies to one side, and a secondary channel on the other. Top color indicates the preferred channel; bottom color indicates the secondary channel.

Green Lateral mark beacon

IALA "A" : Starboard hand marks with conical topmark (if any).

IALA "B" : Port hand marks with cylindrical topmark (if any).

Red Lateral mark beacon

IALA "A" : Port hand marks with cylindrical topmark (if any).

IALA "B" : Starboard hand marks with conical topmark (if any).

Bifurcation mark beacon

This mark indicates a "preferred" channel (often, a deep channel suitable for heavy commercial traffic) lies to one side, and a secondary channel on the other. Top color indicates the preferred channel; bottom color indicates the secondary channel.

IALA System

Remember: Lateral marks have opposite meanings in different regions of the world according to the IALA system. Please refer to the images below for clarification.

 

The world has been subdivided in two IALA areas:

IALA "A" : Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and most of Asia except for Japan-Koreas-Philippines

IALA "B" : Americas and Japan-Koreas-Philippine

Buoys & Beacons (Cardinal)

• North cardinal mark:
• South cardinal mark:
• West cardinal mark:
• East cardinal mark:

Cardinal Marks IALA System

Cardinal marks provide directional safety guidance based on the cardinal (compass) directions (north, east, south, or west) relative to the mark.

A cardinal mark indicates one of the four compass directions by:

1. The orientation of its two conical top-marks: pointing up for north, down for south, towards each other for west, or away from each other for east.
2. Its distinctive pattern of black and yellow stripes, aligned with the cones' orientation. For example, the black stripe is positioned at the top for a north cardinal mark and in the middle for a west cardinal mark.
3. Optionally, its distinctive sequence of flashing light, with the number of flashes corresponding to the clockface position. For instance, three flashes for an east cardinal, nine for a west; north has continuous flashes, and south may include a long flash to distinguish it from a west in challenging conditions.

A cardinal mark may be utilized to:

- Indicate that the deepest water is on a specific side of the mark.
- Highlight the safe side for passing a hazard.
- Draw attention to features in a channel, such as bends, junctions, branches, or shoal ends.
- Warn of new dangers, such as a grounded ship. In such cases, two identical marks are often placed together to signify a newly marked danger not yet included in official charts.

Other Buoys and Beacons

• Buoy Isolated Danger:
• Buoy Safe Water:
• Buoy Special Purpose:  
• Buoy Installation:
• Mooring Buoy:

Lights

• Light or Lighted Structure (Single color):  
• Multi Lights:
• Flood Light:
• Strip Light:
• Light Vessel:
• Fog signal (Bell, Horn, Whistle, Gong, Explosive, Diaphone, Siren, Reed, Typhon ...):

Dangers

Rocks

• Emerged Rock:
• Submerged Rock:
• Dangerous Rock:

Wrecks

• Emerged Wreck:
• Submerged Wreck:
• Dangerous Wreck:

Others

• Bottom Obstruction:
• Cables (if single cable a line, if an area as boundary):

Restricted and regulated areas

• Anchoring Prohibited:
• Diving Prohibited:
• Entry Prohibited:
• Entry Restricted:
• Fishing Prohibited:

• Military practice:
• Sea Plan landing:  

Other Marine objects

• Marsh, Swamp:
• Offshore Platform:
• Pile:
• Radar Reflector:
• Radar Station:
• Radio Call-in Point:
• Water Turbolences:

Marine Points Of Interest (POI)

• Boat Ramp:
• Coast Guard:
• Ferry:
• Marina:
• Port, Port Agency:

Landmarks

• Benchmark:
• Building:
• Cemetery:
• Check Point:
• Chimney:
• Church:
• Crane:
• Dam:
• Dish Aerial:
• Flagpole:
• Flare Stack:
• Fortified Structure:
• Lighthouse:
• Mast & Lighted Mast:
• Observation Point:
• Park, Forest:
• Silo:
• Triangulation Point:
• Tower & Lighted Tower:
• Waterfall:
• Water Tower:

Fishing charts symbols (Italy only)

• On land fishing place or area (Punto o Area di Pesca da terra):
• On the boat fishing place or area (Punto o Area di Pesca dalla barca):
• Spear fishing place or area (Punto o Area di Pesca subacquea):
• Warning place or area (Punto o Area di Avvertimento:
• Forbidden place or area (Punto o Area di Divieto):
• Regulated place or area (Punto o Area di Regolamentazione):
• Coast Guard (Guardia Costiera):
• Fishing shop (Negozio di pesca):
• Generic info (Informazione generica):

Symbols for Land data

See the Terra Map support page.