Channel

A defined or naturally navigable passage through a body of water.

A channel may be the naturally deeper part of a river, estuary or coastal area, or a surveyed and dredged route maintained for shipping. Buoys, beacons, leading marks, lights or charted limits may identify its sides and alignment.

Charted depth, width and marking do not guarantee unrestricted passage. Draught, under-keel clearance, tide, squat, current, traffic, local rules, dredging tolerances and movement of sediments must be considered using current official information.