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International Code Flags or Signaling Flags
Although you may never see them displayed except at evanesce parades, around naval installations, and areas with heavy international ship traffic, International code flags are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. besides called signaling flags, they are a put of ship flags of different colors, shapes and markings which used singly or in combination have unlike meanings. These maritime flags include 26 square flags which depict the letters of the rudiment, ten numeral pendants, one answer pendant, and three substituters or repeaters .
only a few colors can be readily distinguished at sea. These are : bolshevik, blue, yellow, black, and white ; and these can not be mix randomly. You will notice, for clarity, the flags shown are either loss and white, yellow and blue, blue and white, or black and white ; besides plain red, white, and blue.
One-flag signals are pressing or very common signals ( see meanings below ). Two-flag signals are largely distress and maneuver signals. Three-flag signals are for points of the circumnavigate, proportional bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation, besides general code and decode signals. Four-flags are used for geographic signals, names of ships, bearings, etc. Five-flag signals are those relating to time and position. Six-flag signals are used when necessity to indicate north or confederacy or east or west in latitude and longitude signals. Seven-flags are for longitude signals containing more than one hundred degrees .
Nautical Flags: What They Mean And How To Use Them
Some utilitarian Two letter Signals :
| AC – I am abandoning my vessel. | LO – I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel. | RU – Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty. |
| AN – I need a doctor. | NC – I am in distress and require immediate assistance. | SO – You should stop your vessel instantly. |
| BR – I require a helicopter. | PD – Your navigation lights are not visible. | UM – the Harbour is closed to traffic. |
| CD – I require immediate assistance. | PP – Keep well clear of me. | UP – Permission to enter Harbour is urgently requested. I have an emergency. |
| DV – I am drifting. | QD – I am going ahead. | YU – I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International code of signals. |
| EF – SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled. | QT – I am going astern. | ZD1 – Please report me to the Coast Guard, New York |
| FA – Will you give me my position? | QQ – I require health clearance. | ZD2 – Please report me to Lloyds, London. |
| GW – Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up. | QU – Anchoring is prohibited. | ZL – Your signal has been received but not understood. |
| JL – You are running the risk of going aground. | QX – I request permission to anchor. |
Flag Courtesy :
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U.S. National Ensign |
It is normally appropriate to fly the U.S. National Ensign ( flag ) or U.S. Yacht Ensign at the buttocks of your vessel . however, when operating internationally, say going to the Bahamas, once in alien waters you are required to fly the “ Q ” Flag or “ Quarantine Flag ” until you have cleared customs. This flag should be hoisted on the starboard broadcaster. If you are on a ability boat with no mast, the “ Q ” flag can be displayed on the bow . It is besides accustomed to fly the country ’ s courtesy flag when operate in the waters of that country. After clearing customs, the “ Q ” iris should be replaced with the area ’ s courtesy flag . |
When it comes to nautical flags, there are a few make and don ’ thyroxine. naturally, you ’ ll want to brush up on your sail flags and what they mean, and where and when to use them. But there are a few other etiquette rules that most books don ’ t teach you. here are a few important things about nautical flags :
Don ’ t fly a extraneous courtesy ensign after you have returned to U.S. waters. It may show that you have “ been there, ” but it is not proper pin etiquette.
Customs regulations and headroom procedures and costs may differ from one foreign nation to another. Be certain and check your cruising usher for the proper procedures or try inquiring locally by radio prior to entering a extraneous larboard. Although I have found that most custom officials speak some English or have entree to person who does, don ’ t forget that you are in their nation and you should be prepared to communicate with them in their terminology .
therefore, nowadays that you know all about signaling with nautical flags, get them out and wave them high .
