3863 - Port Chanal Nautical Chart

The Ecological Frontier: 3863 - Port Chanal

Navigate the pristine and protected waters of northwest Graham Island with the professional authority of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Chart 3863 is the definitive 1:18,258 scale "road map" for mariners, providing the high-resolution data required for safe passage into Port Chanal, a region famed for its dramatic mountain backdrops and sensitive ecological status.

Precision for Technical Pilotage and Research

Port Chanal is a deep-water indentation surrounded by the towering Cameron Range, requiring careful navigation past several islands and reefs. CHS Chart 3863 provides the "ground-truth" data required for safe pilotage:

• High-Detail Harbor Mapping: Features the resolution necessary to navigate the entrance between Hughes Point and Barry Island, as well as the channels surrounding Freeman Island.

• Ecological Reserve Awareness: Identifies the waters and shorelines within the Port Chanal Ecological Reserve, essential for research vessels and eco-tourism operators following local regulations.

• Hazard & Shoal Identification: Explicitly marks drying rocks, kelp forests, and shoals (including the 10-meter shoal off Barry Island), ensuring situational awareness in a region where some areas remain incompletely surveyed.

• Seafloor & Anchorage Intelligence: Shows precise water depths and the nature of the sea bottom (rock, sand, or mud), vital for selecting secure anchorages near Celestial Bluff or the head of the port.

The Professional Standard for Northwest Haida Gwaii Safety

As the primary navigational resource for this remote western fjord, the reliability of Chart 3863 is paramount. Specifically designed to meet the rigorous requirements of marine navigation, this official CHS chart delivers the accuracy and detail needed to explore the northern reaches of the Graham Island wilderness with total confidence.