What is the scale of Harbor charts?

Harbor charts are specifically designed to provide detailed information about navigational areas where vessels may anchor or navigate in close quarters. The scale found on harbor charts is set to a level that allows mariners to discern various features, depth soundings, buoys, and other critical navigational aids in these congested environments. The scale of 1 inch = 50,000 for harbors, anchorage areas, and smaller waterways reflects this intention, providing a balance between detail and coverage.

This scale offers enough detail that mariners can effectively navigate through smaller, busy areas while ensuring that the representation of the area is manageable on the chart. The other scale options would not meet the specific requirements of harbor navigation, as they would either provide less detail or would be too broad to be effective for such intricate environments. Therefore, the chosen scale of 1 inch = 50,000 is most appropriate for navigating and understanding harbor areas.