Chart No. 1 · H 44
Overfalls, tide rips, races
Dangers
Short wavy strokes mark turbulent water where strong streams cross shoals or meet other currents.
What it means
Clusters of short, wavy vertical strokes mark overfalls, tide rips, and races: standing, breaking water raised where fast tidal streams run over uneven bottom or against wind and other streams. (Curved arrows nearby, H 45, chart eddies.)
Why it matters
The water here can be violent in an otherwise calm sea, and worst at spring tides with wind against tide. Small craft plan to pass races at slack water or give them miles of clearance.