coast pilot

coast pilot [′kōst ‚pī·lət]

(navigation)

A book serving as an adjunct to nautical charts, containing important information which cannot be shown conveniently on the charts, and not readily available elsewhere; prepared by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey for coastal waters of continental United States, Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico; and by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office for foreign waters. Also known as sailing directions.