How do you identify the chart symbols that mean flat beach or coastal cliffs? Which ones warn a sailing skipper of vicious rocks and coral reefs that lurk just beneath the sea surface? Here are five easy steps to show you how to get a free illustrated book that's guaranteed to boost your sailing navigation know-how!

Free Download for Small Boat Cruising Sailors

You'll find all of these symbols compiled in a nifty book called Chart No. 1. It's free of charge to the public (see footnote *).

Follow these five steps for your free copy:

1. Enter the NOAA website (see link at bottom of this page)
2. Click on "View NOAA Charts" on the right side.
3. Find the phrase "Nautical Charting Publications" on the left side.
4. Click on "U.S. Chart No. 1".
5. Click on "Download U.S. Chart No 1 Free" in the white box.

Cruising sailors using British Admiralty navigational charts should order Chart 5011--"Symbols and Abbreviations Used on Admiralty Charts"--through the catalog (see footnote *).