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International Flag Signaling
by Shawn Steele

International flag signaling is a method boats can use to communicate with each other. Other methods exist, such a just talking over a radio or using Morse Code to transmit codes by light, sound or radio waves.

The flags used for signaling are known as pennants. There are a couple of different ways that the flags can be used to signal other vessels. In the first method, each pennant represents a letter of the alphabet, or a number, allowing complete words to be spelled, such as the word F-L-A-G-S shown here. In the second method, the pennants are used to signal codes according to the International Code of Signals. This code was developed to allow boats to communicate with each other even if they don't know each other's language.

Spelling Words

In either method, the pennants are raised by hoisting them up a flagpole with the first letter or number on top, and the other flags below. The flags are hoisted where they can be easily seen by the receiving vessel. Each boat usually only carries a single flag for each letter, so spelling words with more than one letter, such as the "r" in "terra", pose a problem. To solve that problem three special flags are used to indicate that the first, second, or third pennant of that class should be repeated. For example:

	T
	E
	R
	R (Repeat Third Flag)
	A

spells T-E-R-R-A. Notice the "Repeat Third" flag that indicates to repeat the "R" spelled by the third flag.

Repeat flags only work for flags of that class, if letters are followed by numbers, then the count for the repeat flag starts with the numbers, so Q1231 would be spelled Q-1-2-3-Repeat 1 and 15ABA would be spelled 1-5-A-B-Repeat 1. Using this system A1A could not be spelled without having two alfa pennants.

Sometimes it is not obvious whether we are using the code meanings of the flags or if we are spelling out words. To eliminate confusion the 2 flag "Y Z" code is used, indicating that the following flags are spelled. For example:

Y			V			T			O
Z			I			E			R
			S			R			G
			I			R
			T			A

These four groups of flags would be hoisted one at a time. Notice the repeat 2 and repeat 3 flags that are used in the words "visit" and "terra."

With so many flags going up and down the flag pole, it can be confusing to read the message and the sender may not know when the reader has seen each group. The code or answering pennant helps. Each time the person receiving the message sees a group of flags, they hoist the answering pennant halfway up the flag pole (also called "at the dip.") When that group of flags has been understood, they then raise the answering pennant to the top of the flagpole (also called "close up.") The answering pennant can also be used by the transmitting ship to indicate that the message is complete.

International Code of Signals

Spelling out words is not always practical since it can take a long time to say something like "STOP NOW!" For this reason a system of abbreviations was invented that lets sailors communicate entire thoughts by only hoisting one, two or three flags. With this system, "Stop Now" is communicated by merely hoisting the "L" or Lima flag. The International Code of Signals is also an international system, so the person on the receiving boat will know that the boat hoisting the flag wants the other boat to stop, even if they can't speak English.

In addition to the single letter codes, there are two letter codes, such as "M Y" which says "It is dangerous to stop." Many of the two letter codes can be refined by the addition of a number, such as "M Y 1" which states "It is dangerous to remain in present position."

In order to make it more useful, the International Code of Signals can be used by speaking the letters over a radio and by Morse Code, as well as flag signals. The International Code of Signals covers such items as maneuvering ships, towing, emergencies, medical problems and much more. This allows a wide range of communication between vessels that may have difficulty understanding each other's languages, are having radio problems, or may be having other problems.

Each of the pennants are shown below, along with their meanings if hoisted alone.

Alfa (alpha) -- Diver down, keep clear

Bravo -- Dangerous cargo aboard

Charlie -- Yes

Delta -- Keep clear

Echo -- I am changing course to starboard

Foxtrot -- Disabled

Golf -- Pilot needed

Hotel -- Pilot on board

India -- I am changing course to port

Juliett -- Keep clear, on fire and have dangerous cargo

Kilo -- Desire to communicate

Lima -- Stop immediately

Mike -- Stopped

November -- No

Oscar -- Man overboard

Papa -- About to sail

Quebec -- My vessel is "healthy" and I request practique (request permission to enter and use a foreign port)

Romeo -- (no meaning)

Sierra -- I am moving backward

Tango -- Keep clear

Uniform -- You are moving into danger

Victor -- Require assistance

Whiskey -- Require medical assistance

Xray -- Stop your intention

Yankee -- Am dragging anchor

Zulu -- Require a tug

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0

Repeat First
Repeat Second
Repeat Third

Code (decimal point) and answering pennant

At the dip -- The code flag hoisted "at the dip" indicates that the receiver has seen the signal from the transmitting ship

Close up -- The code flag hoisted "close up" indicates that the receiver has understood the signal from the transmitting ship

Translate A Word

Other Code Systems

Besides the code pennants, there are other systems for communicating the International Code of Signals. The codes can be spelled out loud over a radio, using the full names of the letters, such as "alfa" for "a." They can also be transmitted by flashes of light, sound or radio clicks by using Morse code.

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