The Standard - A Flag Day Meditation

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Maritime Signal Flags

The International Code of Signals uses 26 flags (one for each letter) to communicate between ships. Each flag, when flown alone, has a specific meaning:

Alpha: Diver below, keep clear

Bravo: Dangerous cargo

Charlie: Affirmative/Yes

Delta: Keep clear, maneuvering with difficulty

Echo: Altering course to starboard

Foxtrot: Disabled, communicate with me

Golf: I require a pilot

Hotel: Pilot on board

India: Altering course to port

Juliet: On fire, keep clear

Kilo: I wish to communicate

Lima: Stop immediately

Mike: I am stopped

November: Negative/No

Oscar: Man overboard

Papa: About to sail (Blue Peter)

Quebec: Quarantine flag, request clearance

Romeo: No meaning by itself

Sierra: Engines going astern

Tango: Keep clear, trawling

Uniform: Standing into danger

Victor: Require assistance

Whiskey: Require medical assistance

X-ray: Stop and watch for signals

Yankee: Am dragging anchor

Zulu: Require a tug

Famous Signal Combinations

NC: "I am in distress" (international distress signal)
England Expects: Nelson's famous signal at Trafalgar required 31 flags
Blue Peter (Papa): Ship is about to sail, all hands aboard

⚑ The Standard ⚐

Maritime Signal Flags

Famous Signal Combinations