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Flags

One of the questions I am often asked is about flags and are they still used in today's modern society.

Flags are indeed still used, I had occasion recently to help a client with this very question. Those of you heading to Malta for retirement will find yourself needing to take the Maltese Transport exam that will enable you to take control of a vessel under 24m long and includes questions on flags (amongst other things most of which you will have covered in the RYA PB L2 or Day Skipper courses). The flags element suggests you need to know the single letter meaning of the International Code Flags, principally: A, B, C, F, J, N, O, V & W.

Rather than just giving you the letter and definition, I found this and think it is a far more useful learning tool, I am sure you will as well. 

Letter/
Phonetic
Name

Flag

International Code Signal

Meaning as Single Flag

A
Alfa

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"I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed."

B
Bravo

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"I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.)

C
Charlie

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"Affirmative."

D
Delta

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"Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty."

E
Echo

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"I am altering my course to starboard."

F
Foxtrot

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"I am disabled; communicate with me."

G
Golf

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"I require a pilot."
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am hauling nets."

H
Hotel

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"I have a pilot on board."

I
India

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"I am altering my course to port."

J
Juliet

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"I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me."
or
"I am leaking dangerous cargo."

K
Kilo

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"I wish to communicate with you."

L
Lima

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In harbour: "The ship is quarantined."
At sea: "You should stop your vessel instantly."

M
Mike

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"My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water."[b]

N
November

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"Negative."

O
Oscar

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"Man overboard.  (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).Also used as the semaphore flag.

P
Papa

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The Blue Peter.
In harbour: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction."

Q
Quebec

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"My vessel is 'healthy' and I request free pratique."

R
Romeo

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(No ICS meaning as a single flag)

S
Sierra

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"I am operating astern propulsion."

T
Tango

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"Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling."

U
Uniform

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"You are running into danger."

V
Victor

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"I require assistance."

W
Whiskey

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"I require medical assistance."

X
Xray

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"Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals."

Y
Yankee

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"I am dragging my anchor."

Z
Zulu

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"I require a tug."
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am shooting nets

Sometimes in military ports you may see combinations of flags. Typical arrangements are code Romeo Yankee 

     Pass me slowly  

If it is with  Bravo

        I am loading or unloading dangerous cargo  

If it is with Alpha 

       I have divers down

 

 

 

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