4450 - St. Paul Island Navigation Chart (Nova Scotia)

Navigate the "Graveyard of the Gulf" with the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) Nautical Chart 4450. This official marine chart provides essential, high-resolution coverage of St. Paul Island, Nova Scotia—a rugged and isolated landmass situated in the Cabot Strait between Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland. Mapped at a detailed 1:24,300 scale, Chart 4450 is the definitive navigational resource for mariners transiting this high-traffic shipping corridor where the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Atlantic.

As an official CHS publication, Chart 4450 is meticulously designed for safety in one of Canada's most challenging maritime environments. It features precise bathymetric soundings (in metres) and detailed seafloor topography, which are critical for navigating the steep underwater drop-offs and rocky shoreline of this granite island. The chart includes specialized large-scale insets (at approx. 1:12,000 scale) for the island’s limited landing sites, including Atlantic Cove and Trinity Cove. Updated to the latest Notice to Mariners (NTM), this chart provides accurate positioning for the St. Paul Island North and South lights, as well as critical data on the powerful and unpredictable currents of the Cabot Strait. Whether you are conducting research, participating in search and rescue, or navigating commercial shipping lanes, Chart 4450 offers the precision required for safe transit past this historic sentinel.

Technical Specifications

• Chart Number: 4450

• Scale: 1:24,300 (Main Chart); 1:12,000 (Cove Insets)

• Region: Atlantic Coast / Gulf of St. Lawrence (Nova Scotia)

• Coverage: Complete perimeter of St. Paul Island, including North Point, South Point, Atlantic Cove, and Trinity Cove.

• Dimensions: Approximately 34" x 47" (Standard large format).

• Format: Printed on heavy-duty kraft paper; meets official carriage requirements for vessels in Canadian waters.

Key Navigation Features

• Detailed Cove Insets: Specialized mapping for Atlantic Cove and Trinity Cove, providing the best available detail for potential emergency landings or small craft approaches.

• Cabot Strait Transit: Essential data for managing the transition between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

• Aids to Navigation: Precise locations and light characteristics for the automated beacons at both the North and South ends of the island.

• Safety Information: Highlights the treacherous rocky ledges, steep bathymetry, and local magnetic anomalies that have historically contributed to the island's reputation as a hazard to navigation.