Maritime flags are an important way of communication out at sea. They require no means of verbal communication and make a message clear for all vessels within eyesight or even beyond when read through binoculars. Anyone in charge of a vessel (even the smallest, such as dinghies) needs to be able to at least identify flags A, B, D and O as well as the combination NC.
INTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS
Alfa
Diver in the water – keep clear
Bravo
Explosives or other dangerous goods are been taken on or discharged.
Charlie
YES
Delta
Maneuvering with difficulty – keep clear
Echo
Altering course to STARBOARD
Foxtrot
Disabled – communication requested
Golf
Pilot required
Hotel
Pilot on board
India
Altering course to PORT
Juliett
On fire and carry dangerous cargo – keep clear
Kilo
Communication requested
Lima
Stop immediately
Mike
Vessel stopped, – unable to make way
November
NO
Oscar
Man overboard
Papa
All aboard! – Vessel proceeding to sea
Quebec
Requesting clearance into port – my vessel is healthy
Romeo
[None]
Sierra
Moving astern
Tango
Engaged in pair trawling – keep clear
Uniform
You are heading into danger
Victor
Assistance required
Whiskey
Medical assistance required
Xray
Stop with your intentions and wait my for signal
Yankee
Dragging anchor
Zulu
Tugging required
NUMERAL PENNANTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
SUBSTITUTE PENNANTS
1st
Substitute
2nd
Substitute
3rd
Substitute
Answering Pennant
COMMON FLAG COMBINATIONS
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