International maritime signal flags

The system of international maritime signal flags is a way of representing individual letters of the alphabet on ships or in nautical situations.

The flags can also be used to signal other things than alphabetical messages. For example, divers will often raise the flag representing the letter A as a marker to other sea traffic in the area.

The flags are also used, with a different set of special meanings, in yacht racing and dinghy racing, where (for example) the P flag is used as the "preparatory" flag to indicate an imminent start, and the S flag means "shortened course".


(A)lfa Missing image
Nautical_a.png
Image:Nautical_a.png

Divers
(B)ravo Missing image
Nautical_b.png
Image:Nautical_b.png

Loading explosives
(C)harlie Missing image
Nautical_c.png
Image:Nautical_c.png

Yes *
(D)elta Missing image
Nautical_d.png
Image:Nautical_d.png

Keep clear
(E)cho Missing image
Nautical_e.png
Image:Nautical_e.png

Going to starboard
(F)oxtrot Missing image
Nautical_f.png
Image:Nautical_f.png

Disabled
(G)olf Image:Nautical_g.png Need a pilot
(H)otel Missing image
Nautical_h.png
Image:Nautical_h.png

Have a pilot
(I)ndia Missing image
Nautical_i.png
Image:Nautical_i.png

Going to port
(J)uliett Missing image
Nautical_j.png
Image:Nautical_j.png

About to use semaphore or On fire
(K)ilo Missing image
Nautical_k.png
Image:Nautical_k.png

Stop
(L)ima Missing image
Nautical_l.png
Image:Nautical_l.png

Stop for communications
(M)ike Missing image
Nautical_m.png
Image:Nautical_m.png

Doctor on board or Stopped
(N)ovember Missing image
Nautical_n.png
Image:Nautical_n.png

No *
(O)scar Missing image
Nautical_o.png
Image:Nautical_o.png

Man overboard (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats)
(P)apa Missing image
Nautical_p.png
Image:Nautical_p.png

The Blue Peter, setting sail
(Q)uebec Missing image
Nautical_q.png
Image:Nautical_q.png

Quarantine
(R)omeo Missing image
Nautical_r.png
Image:Nautical_r.png

(S)ierra Missing image
Nautical_s.png
Image:Nautical_s.png

Engines going astern
(T)ango Missing image
Nautical_t.png
Image:Nautical_t.png

Do not go in front
(U)niform Missing image
Nautical_u.png
Image:Nautical_u.png

You are going into danger
(V)ictor Missing image
Nautical_v.png
Image:Nautical_v.png

Need assistance
(W)hiskey Missing image
Nautical_w.png
Image:Nautical_w.png

Need medical assistance
(X)-ray Missing image
Nautical_x.png
Image:Nautical_x.png

Stop and watch for communications
(Y)ankee Missing image
Nautical_y.png
Image:Nautical_y.png

Carrying mail
(Z)ulu Missing image
Nautical_z.png
Image:Nautical_z.png

Hailing someone on land

* N and C together (No and Yes) is used as a distress signal

External links

da:Signalflag de:Flaggenalphabet eo:Alfabetaj_flagoj it:Codice Internazionale Nautico nl:seinvlag

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