Do you know what chart navigation color tells you where supplies are plentiful? Or where dangers lurk just beneath the surface, waiting to rip a hole in your boat? Be sure you know these five major chart colors to keep you and your sailing crew safe and sound!

You'll find lots of colors on any navigational chart, but five colors stand out above all the rest. As a sailing skipper, you will want to recognize these at-a-glance:

1. Buff for Landmasses That Never Change
Dull yellow--called buff--dominates land areas on charts in the US. These areas are not covered with water at high tide, and always remain visible to mariners.

2. Gold for Good Times and Provisions
Darker gold blotches within the buff signal well populated areas like cities and larger towns. In these areas, you will be able to get provisions or repairs to your boat. And, if you need a night out on the town, your best chance will be to "sail for the gold"!

3. Green for Monsters that Lurk Beneath the Surface
Look along the coastline and notice any green splotches. These are sand bars, mud flats, oyster beds, rocks and boulders, or any other dangers that signal dangers. And, they cover and uncover with the tide. That means at high tide, you may not see these hazards at all. Stay well clear of green tinted areas to avoid damage to your hull, keel, or rudder.

4. White for Deeper Water
Cartographers use white backgrounds to show where the deepest water lies. After you plot any compass course, scan along the course on each side to check for dangers. This will give you peace of mind that you will be sailing in safe water.

5. Blue for Possible Danger to You!
Take caution anywhere you see blue or different tints of blue on your nautical chart. This color indicates shoal (shallow) water. It may or may not be dangerous to you. Determine your draft--or deepest point on your small sailboat. Multiply 2.5 times that number. Highlight any area on your chart that shows depths less than 2.5 X your draft. Here's an example:

Your small cruising boat has a draft of 5 feet. 5 feet X 2.5 = 12.5 feet. For safety, round up to 13 feet. After you lay out your sailing courses, look for any depth less than 13 feet close to the course-line. Use a dark blue colored pencil or highlighter and outline the shoal so that it's easy to see in any light conditions. This will signal you to use extra caution as you sail past.

Use these five chart navigation color symbols to increase the safety aboard your small cruising or racing sailboat. This will build your navigation skipper-skills to give you the confidence you need--wherever in the you choose to sail!

Captain John teaches sailboat cruising skippers the skills they need to set sail for a day, a week--or a lifetime! Get his popular free report "Ten Top Boat Safety Checks for Cruising Boat Skippers" at http://www.skippertips.com/public/242.cfm.

John offers free tips, articles, videos and newsletter at the Sailboat Cruising Resource Center.