What are nautical charts primarily used for?

Nautical charts are primarily used to provide navigation data essential for safe maritime travel. They display various features such as water depths, underwater hazards, coastline outlines, navigation aids like buoys and lights, and other important information that mariners need to plot their courses. These charts are crucial for ensuring that vessels navigate safely in various conditions and avoid dangerous areas, making them an integral part of maritime operations.

While tracking weather patterns, scheduling port arrivals, and displaying ship maintenance schedules are important for overall maritime operations, they do not directly relate to the primary function of nautical charts. Instead, these aspects rely on additional resources, such as weather reports and logistical planning tools. Nautical charts focus specifically on the geographical and navigational information that directly aids in navigation at sea.