Do you know your flags? Marine Signal Flags

February 21, 2018

Nautical Flags and Their Meaning

Today these flags are used primarily to decorate ships during parade and presentation.

Before the advent of electronic communication, signal flags were used to communicate ship to ship. As well as semiphor, the flags below are the international standards for communicating ship to ship. We've included the message intended by a single flag.

International Code Flags

Flag	Name	Meaning
	Alfa	I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
	Bravo	I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous cargo.
	Charlie	"Yes" or "affirmative"
	Delta	Keep Clear, maneuvering with difficulty.
	Echo	Altering course to starboard.
	Foxtrot	I am disabled; communicate with me. On aircraft carriers: Flight Operations underway
	Golf	I require a pilot.
	Hotel	I have a pilot on board.
	India	I am directing my course to port. (International) Coming alongside. (Navy)
	Juliet	I am on fire and have dangerous cargo; keep clear.
	Kilo	I wish to communicate with you.
	Lima	You should stop your vessel immediately
	Mike	My vessel is stopped; making no way.
	November	No or negative.
	Oscar	Man overboard.
	Papa	All personnel return to ship; proceeding to sea (Inport).
	Quebec	Ship meets health regs; request clearance into port. (International) Boat recall; all boats return to ship. (Navy)
	Romeo	(International) Preparing to replenish (At sea). Ready duty ship (In port). (Navy)
	Sierra	Moving astern. (International) Conducting flag hoist drill. (Navy)
	Tango	Keep clear; engaged in trawling. (International) Do not pass ahead of me. (Navy)
	Uniform	You are running into danger.
	Victor	I require assistance.
	Whiskey	I require medical assistance.
	Xray	Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
	Yankee	I am dragging anchor. (International) Ship has visual communications duty. (Navy)
	Zulu	I require a tug.
Numbers
	1 - ONE	(International) Numeral one. (Navy)
	2 - TWO	(International) Numeral two. (Navy)
	3 - THREE	(International) Numeral three. (Navy)
	4 - FOUR	(International) Numeral four. (Navy)
	5 - FIVE	(International) Numeral five. (Navy)
	6 - SIX	(International) Numeral six. (Navy)
	7 - SEVEN	(International) Numeral seven. (Navy)
	8 - EIGHT	(International) Numeral eight. (Navy)
	9 - NINE	(International) Numeral nine. (Navy)
	0 - ZERO	(International) Numeral zero. (Navy)