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    Nautical Flags

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    hanyelbaghdady

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Nautical Flags

    Uploaded by

    hanyelbaghdady
    5 views7 pages

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    nautical-flags

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    5 views7 pages

    Nautical Flags

    Uploaded by

    hanyelbaghdady

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 7

    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    Nautical Flags
    Nautical flags are an international code system used for two ships to signal to each other or for a ship to
    signal to shore.
    At sea, only a few flag colours are easily recognized, these are: red, blue, yellow, black, and white.
    Nautical flags are made up of

     26 square flags, representing the letters of the alphabet,


     10 numbered pendants,
     one answering pendant and
     three substitutes’ pendants.
    The flags can be used alone or in combination with another flag.

     Two-flag signals are used mostly for distress and manoeuvring.


     Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, and general code
    and decode signals.
     Four-flags are used for geographical signals, names of ships or bearings.
     Five-flag signals are used to relate time and position.
    There are also flags used in nautical racing which signal to the competitors what they are supposed to do.

    Signal flags and meanings

    A Diver down, keep well clear at a slow speed


    Alpha

    B Taking in, discharging or carrying dangerous


    goods.
    Bravo As observed on refuelling vessels

    C Affirmative or YES
    Charlie
    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    D Keep clear, I’m manoeuvring with difficulty


    The sound signal one long two short (Morse code for “D”) is
    Delta sounded by vessel that are RAM, NUC, constrained by
    draught, sailing, fishing, trawling or towing

    E I am altering course to STARBOARD


    Echo

    F I am disabled, please communicate with me


    Foxtrot

    G I Require a pilot
    Golf

    H I have a pilot on board


    Hotel

    I I am altering course to PORT


    India

    J I am on fire, dangerous cargo, keep well


    Juliet clear
    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    K I wish to communicate with you


    Kilo

    L You should stop your vessel instantly


    Lima

    M My vessel is stopped
    Mike

    N Negative or NO
    November

    O Man Overboard
    Oscar

    P Recall – all persons to return on board –


    Papa about to sail

    Q Vessel is healthy – request free pratique


    Quebec
    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    R No meaning when used alone


    Romeo

    S My engines are going full astern


    Sierra

    T Keep clear of me, I am engaged in trawling


    Tango operations

    U You are running in to danger


    Uniform

    V I require assistance
    Victor

    W I require medical assistance


    Whiskey

    X Stop carrying out your intentions and watch


    X-ray for my signals
    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    Y I am dragging my anchor
    Yankee

    Z I require a tug
    Zulu

    0 1 2
    Nadazero Unaone Bissotwo

    3 4 5
    Terathree Kartefour Pentafive

    6 7 8
    Soxisix Setteseven Oktoeight

    9
    Novenine Answer

    R1 R2 R3
    Replacement 1 Replacement 2 Replacement 3
    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    Combinations and meaning


    There are many common combinations in use. Here are some of the most common and their meanings.

    N-November R-Romeo
    Over Over
    C-Charlie Y-Yankee
    This is a Proceed slowly
    symbol of when passing me
    distress. Often seen on
    (“yes” and “no”, I marinas or vessels
    am confused – I requiring no wash
    need help!) from other vessels

    Other common combinations:

    AC I am abandoning my vessel PD Your navigation lights are not visible

    AN I need a doctor PP Keep well clear of me

    BR I require a helicopter QD I am going ahead

    CD I require immediate assistance QT I am going astern

    DV I am drifting QQ I require health clearance

    EF SOS / Mayday cancelled QU Anchoring is prohibited

    FA Will you give me my position QX I request permission to anchor


    Keep clear of me, I am manoeuvring with
    GW MOB, please take action to collect person RU difficulty
    You are running the risk of running Permission to enter harbour, I have an
    JL aground UP emergency

    LO I am not in my correct position ZL Signal received but NOT understood


    Marine Rescue Port Jackson Guide – Flags

    Not a ‘flag’ but you should know


    Although not considered a flag, the V sheet is a local distress symbol. The V sheet is only used in Australian
    waterways. The V sheet can be displayed on a vessel, even if it is overturned in the water and draped across
    the hull to indicate to aircraft or other vessels that your vessel is in distress.

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