All those who have been at least once on the dock or a pier probably noticed a large count of different flags hanging from the flagpoles. Those nautical flags are not just there to show you from which state is the boat or precisely for a decoration purpose. furthermore, those nautical flags are an International Code of Signals whose independent function is to provide different ways of communications in different nautical situations. therefore, they can be used for communication between two sailboats or yachts to signal each other, or for a signalization between boat and the prop up .
History of Nautical Flags
nautical flags were primitively used for communications among comrades during military entanglements. What started as a limited communication arrangement evolved over centuries into a comprehensive, internationally-recognized signaling system functional for military and non-military purposes. Recreational vessels besides use nautical flags. furthermore, a well as code signal flags to identify themselves and to communicate with other ships. Sailing flags are an internationally-recognized means of communication from ship to ship while out at sea. furthermore, code sign flags can be used alone or in combination with one another to send messages while nautical boat flags share other information about a vessel such as where it is from and its function for being on the water .
Military Origin
Maritime flags were originally used in ancient military encounters where flags signaled early fleet members to take particular actions. early signal flag communications were limited. consequently, the primary use was to signal the need for a conference where more detail instruction could then be provided .
In the mid-1700s, more elaborate signals were developed during Anglo-Dutch naval wars. It resulted in the Royal Navy’s Permanent Fighting Instructions comprising 45 blend messages using 11 flags. In 1738, Mahé de la Bourdonniase, a french officer, developed the first numerical flag code. It served as the basis for late flag-hoist bespeak. furthermore, he numbering arrangement vastly increased the combinations of communications a embark could make to 1,000 using three flags.
Signal Book for Ships of War
Richard Earl Howe, First Lord of the Admiralty in 1783, contributed by revising the french system to include repeating firearm pennants arsenic well as control flags. These modifications led to the 1799 Signal Book for Ships of War. Additionaly, it broadcasted use of individual pin designs that were used by the Royal Navy through the Napoleonic Wars and War of 1912. The system expanded further. With Popham ’ s Telegraphic Signals or Marine Vocabulary to include 6,000 phrases and 60,000 words .
In 1797 the United States first numerical code organization, Instructions, Signals, and Explanations Ordered for the United States Fleet, was published. The first commercial koran of signals, Code of Signals for the Merchant Service, was published in 1817. The writer is Captain Frederick Marryat of the Royal Navy. J.R. Parker ’ sulfur American Signal Book for the Use of Vessels Employed in the United States Naval, Revenue, and Merchant Service was created for government practice in non-tactical communications. Parker revised the signal record until 1856, as technical advances had rendered such a signal system disused. The british Board of Trade then began creating an improved code. It will later become the International Code of Signals.
International Code Signals
The first International Code was made in 1855 and published in 1857. british Board of Trade was creditworthy for it and it contained 70,000 signals, 17,000 messages, and used 18 flags. subsequent revisions were made to the Code during the International Radiotelegraph Conference of Madrid in 1932. Six more flags were added for different languages including french, italian, german, japanese, norwegian, and Spanish. In 1947, it was determined that the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization ( IMO ) should have responsibility over the Code. In 1969, more flags were added to accommodate the Greek and russian languages. Each alpha-numeric signal flag was assigned meaning under the International Code .
When are Nautical Flags Used and Who Uses Them
Every boat out at the ocean uses nautical flags. Either if it is dark blue gravy boat, a sailboat or fish vessel, nautical flags are neccessity of every boat. Every signal flag has it ‘s own unique think of. But there are 3 different languages that sailing flags speak. And it differs depending if you ‘re in a sail reggata, if you ‘re in the dark blue or something else. furthermore, the nautical flags used in all three langues are the same but in different context they can mean different things .
The point of using the ease up is to clear up the communication path between sailors. That path can much be filled with language barriers or curtural differences that can lead to misscommunication. Signal flag signal your status, warning or need to a ship without a prospect of misinterpretation .
People use nautical flags to express a status, warning or a need. Each flag does have it ‘s own letter but it is rarely used for spelling. Every flag has it ‘s unique meaning and those signals are ones most common out at ocean. consequently, use for spelling emerges in rare occasions. besides, if there ‘s the terminology barrier, the spell would n’t be identical useful .
Nautical Alphabeth and Meaning of Nautical Flags
The sail beginners need to know that each flag in the group of unlike colored and shaped flags has a different mean. furthermore, people use use nautical flags in combination with another pin or alone. In casing of risk or breakdowns in communications systems, nautical flags and the cognition of their meanings can be very helpful and valuable .
Alpha A: Alpha – I have a diver down ; keep net .
Bravo B: Bravo – I am taking in or carrying dangerous cargo .
Charlie C: Charlie – „Yes “ or „Affirmative “, Sailing Regatta – Change of Course
Delta D: Delta – I am maneuvering with trouble ; keep clear .
Echo E: Echo – I am altering my course to starboard .
Foxtrot F: Foxtrot – International code : I am disable. communicate with me. aircraft carrierers : Flight Operations afoot
Golf G: Golf – I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means : “ I am hauling nets ”
Hotel H: Hotel – I have a pilot burner on board .
India I: India – International code : I am altering course to port.
Navy code : approach aboard.
Sailing Regatta : Round the Ends Starting Rule .
Juliet J: Juliet – I am on fire and have dangerous cargo ; keep acquit .
Kilo K: Kilo – I want to communicate with you.
Lima L: Lima – International code : Stop your vessel immediately.
Sailing Regatta : Come within hail or follow me .
Mike M: Mike – International code : My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water system.
Sailing Regatta : Mark Missing .
Second part:
November N: November – International code : No or negative.
Sailing regatta : desertion and Re-sail .
Oscar O: Oscar – man overboard .
Papa P: Papa – In port : All personnel return to ship ; the vessel is about to procede to sea.
At sea : fishing vessels can use it : “ My nets have come fast upon an obstruction ” .
Quebec Q: Quebec – International code : Ship meets health regulations ; request headroom into port.
Navy code : Boat recall ; all boats return to ship .
Romeo r : Romeo – International code : none
Navy code : Preparing to replenish ( At sea ).
ready duty ship ( In port ) .
Sierra S: Sierra – International code : Moving astern.
Navy code : behave flag hoist drill.
Sailing code : shorten course .
Tango T: Tango – International code : Keep clear ; engaged in trawling.
Navy code : Do not pass ahead of me .
Uniform U: Uniform – You are running into danger .
Victor V: Victor – I require aid .
Whiskey W: Whiskey – I require aesculapian aid .
X-ray X: X-ray – International code : Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Sailing code : Individual recall .
Yankee Y: Yankee – International code : I am dragging anchor.
Navy code : embark has ocular communications duty.
Sailing code : : tire Life Jackets
Zulu Z: Zulu – International code : I require a tug.
Sailing code : 20 % scoring penalty
Other important nautical flags
Code Code/Answer – International code : message is understand.
Navy code : sag that follows is from the International Code of Signals.
Sailing code : delay .
First substitute First substitute – International code : stand-in for the first flag in this hoist. besides “ repeats ” the first ease up or serial of flags in this hoist
Navy code : absence of flag policeman or unit air force officer
Sailing code : General recall .
Second substitute Second Substitute – International code : substitute for the second flag in this hoist.
Navy code : absence of head of staff.
Read more: What is the Maritime Industry?
Third substitute Third Substitute – International code : ersatz for the third base flag in this hoist.
Navy code : absence of commanding policeman .
Fourth substitute Forth substitute – Navy code : absence of civil or military official whose flag is flying on this ship .
now when you know some facts about nautical flags, try this International Code of Signals Flags Quiz .
Can you guess what picture below says?
