Maritime Cartography

Mapping the Hazards

A lighthouse is only useful if a mariner knows exactly where it is. Nautical charts developed alongside coastal beacons. They abstract the complex physical reality of the coast into standardized symbols: teardrop shapes for lights, specific abbreviations for flash characteristics (e.g., Fl(3) W 15s for 'Flashes 3 times, White, every 15 seconds'), and depth soundings relative to chart datum.