Saying: "We sail on white, anchor on blue, drink on yellow"

[dokondr]

Hi all,


Trying to remember the correct wording of "We sail on white, anchor on blue, drink on yellow" saying (regarding nautical chart color scheme).

Please, correct. Thanks!

[GordMay]

I hadn't heard that mnemonic, but it seems to work.

Primary Coastal Navigation Nautical Chart Colors
1. Buff - Cartographers use a dull yellow to show most landmass on noaa nautical charts. This land remains visible even at low tide or high tide.
2. Gold - Ready for a cold one or a night out on the town? Look for blotches of dark gold inside the buff color on your navigational chart. This indicates harbors that offer sailboat repair, supplies, restaurants and bars. Highlight these areas on your nautical chart in case you need to pull in for any reason.
3. Green - Stay clear of any green tinted area on noaa nautical charts. This denotes dangerous shoals such as rocks, sand bars or coral heads near a beach. At high tide, these hazards remain hidden. Wait until low tide before you attempt to pass close to a green tinted shoal.
4. White - For most cruising sailboats, white indicates deeper water . But don't assume that the water will be deep enough for you. Check all along your coastal navigation trackline to make sure no shoals block your path.
5. Blue - Blue denotes shoal water. Darker tints of blue indicate shallow water. Lighter tints indicate deeper water. Study the nautical chart before you plot a sailing route near or over any blue tinted water.

[GordMay]

I should have emphasized that the colour scheme, previously noted, refers to U.S. (NOAA) Charts.
Different makes of chart use different colours

ie: The British Admiralty charts generally use colours in this way (depending on the scale of the chart):
Yellow (Buff): Land
Green: Areas that cover and uncover according to the tides
Blue: Shallow water
White: Deep water
Pretty much the same as US charts.

[dokondr]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I should have emphasized that the colour scheme, previously noted, refers to U.S. (NOAA) Charts.
Different makes of chart use different colours

ie: The British Admiralty charts generally use colours in this way (depending on the scale of the chart):
Yellow (Buff): Land
Green: Areas that cover and uncover according to the tides
Blue: Shallow water
White: Deep water
Pretty much the same as US charts.

Yes, color scheme is quite clear. I more concerned with the exact wording of the saying itself. I have actually seen it somewhere ... in a book or on the net. From my vague recollection it was ""We sail on white, anchor on *green*, drink on yellow", which I have changed to "We sail on white, anchor on *blue*, drink on yellow" as it is not always make sense to anchor on drying land (green on the chart). Just wanted to find out the original saying, not only a sensible one :-)

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I should have emphasized that the colour scheme, previously noted, refers to U.S. (NOAA) Charts.
Different makes of chart use different colours

ie: The British Admiralty charts generally use colours in this way (depending on the scale of the chart):
Yellow (Buff): Land
Green: Areas that cover and uncover according to the tides
Blue: Shallow water
White: Deep water
Pretty much the same as US charts.

Gord.. Green is dry land, Tan or Buff is drying areas.. the other two you got right.

[GordMay]

Thanks Phil!
On Brit' Admiralty charts: Green is dry land, Tan or Buff is drying areas

[dokondr]

"Green: Areas that cover and uncover according to the tides" - is correct

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Thanks Phil!
On Brit' Admiralty charts: Green is dry land, Tan or Buff is drying areas

Sorry Gord.. got it wrong..
Just checked
Wondered why I keep running aground..
Damn road maps..

[dokondr]

Sail Safe - Charts


Charts have contours that show the shape of the sea bed. Different makes of chart use different colours. The Admiralty charts use colours in this way (depending on the scale of the chart):
Yellow Land Green Areas that cover and uncover according to the tides Blue Shallow water White Deep water

[Tetepare]

Most people are OK with the blue/ green difference, from my observation experienced sailors get nailed by the little caveats like "obstn" and "crib".