Wreck symbol

A hull or crossed-mast mark showing a sunken vessel.

Also known as: Sunken vessel marking, Wreck marking

Maps & navigationSafety & hazardStandard profile

Meanings

Charted wrecks are drawn in several forms according to how much water covers them: a hull shape for one that shows, crossed masts for one that is dangerous, and a plain marking for one safely deep. The form is a statement about clearance rather than about the vessel.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Marks a sunken vessel, drawn differently according to whether it shows above water, is a danger to navigation, or lies at a safe depth.
Contexts: Navigation, Maps
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Encodes clearance rather than the wreck itself, so the symbol answers whether a vessel can pass over it rather than what sank there.
Contexts: Navigation, Maps

Visual description

A small hull outline seen from above, or two short crossed strokes representing masts, with a dotted enclosure where the wreck is a hazard.

Symmetry: none
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.

Sources

Topographic map
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-23
Tertiary reference, cited for the conventional description of a mark, its usual name and where it is encountered. Where an issuing body defines the mark, that body is cited alongside and governs.
Ordnance Survey map symbols and legends
Ordnance Survey · retrieved 2026-08-01
The national mapping agency's own published legend. Authoritative for British Ordnance Survey mapping and for nothing else — the same drawing may carry a different meaning on another country's maps, and every record citing this states its jurisdiction.
U.S. Chart No. 1 — Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms used on Paper and Electronic Navigational Charts
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · retrieved 2026-08-23
The published key to United States nautical charts, open and complete. Cited for chart symbology; the equivalent British publication is Admiralty 5011 and the two agree in most respects because both follow IHO specifications.
Admiralty Chart 5011 — Symbols and Abbreviations used on Admiralty Charts
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office · retrieved 2026-08-23
The British chart key. Cited for Admiralty chart conventions; not read in full, and records claim only the published symbol meanings.
Nautical chart
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol depicts and which authority publishes it, not for the legend of any particular chart series or the text of any standard.

Last reviewed 2026-08-23

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Topographic map and nautical chart symbols

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Meanings

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Marks a sunken vessel, drawn differently according to whether it shows above water, is a danger to navigation, or lies at a safe depth.

Contexts: Navigation, Maps

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Encodes clearance rather than the wreck itself, so the symbol answers whether a vessel can pass over it rather than what sank there.

Contexts: Navigation, Maps

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but multiple independent sources agree.

Sources

Topographic map
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-23
Tertiary reference, cited for the conventional description of a mark, its usual name and where it is encountered. Where an issuing body defines the mark, that body is cited alongside and governs.
Ordnance Survey map symbols and legends
Ordnance Survey · retrieved 2026-08-01
The national mapping agency's own published legend. Authoritative for British Ordnance Survey mapping and for nothing else — the same drawing may carry a different meaning on another country's maps, and every record citing this states its jurisdiction.
U.S. Chart No. 1 — Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms used on Paper and Electronic Navigational Charts
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · retrieved 2026-08-23
The published key to United States nautical charts, open and complete. Cited for chart symbology; the equivalent British publication is Admiralty 5011 and the two agree in most respects because both follow IHO specifications.
Admiralty Chart 5011 — Symbols and Abbreviations used on Admiralty Charts
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office · retrieved 2026-08-23
The British chart key. Cited for Admiralty chart conventions; not read in full, and records claim only the published symbol meanings.
Nautical chart
Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-08-01
Tertiary reference. Used for what a symbol depicts and which authority publishes it, not for the legend of any particular chart series or the text of any standard.

Last reviewed 2026-08-23