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International Maritime
Signal Flags are used to signal between two ships or between
ship and shore. They can be used to spell out messages, or
used singly or in combinations to convey special
messages.
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Alphabet Flags
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Alpha
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Diver below (when stationary) or
undergoing a speed trial
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. _
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Bravo
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Taking on or discharging
explosives
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_ . . .
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Charlie
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Affirmative (yes)
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_ . _ .
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Delta
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Keep clear, maneuvering with
difficulty
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_ . .
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Echo
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Altering course to
starboard
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.
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Foxtrot
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Disabled, communicate with
me
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. . _ .
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Golf
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I require a pilot
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_ _ .
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Hotel
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I have a pilot on board
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. . . .
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India
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Altering course to port
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. .
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Juliet
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Am going to send a message by
semaphore
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. _ _ _
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Kilo
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Stop instantly
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_ . _
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Lima
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Stop, I have something important to
communicate
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. _ . .
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Mike
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I have a doctor on board
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_ _
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November
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Negative (no)
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_ .
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Oscar
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Man overboard
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_ _ _
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Papa
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All aboard, vessel is about to put
to sea or lights are out (at sea)
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. _ _ .
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Quebec
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My vessel is healthy and I request
free practique
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_ _ . _
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Romeo
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The way is off my ship, you may
feel your way past me
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. _ .
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Sierra
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My engines are going full speed
astern
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. . .
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Tango
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Do not pass ahead of me
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_
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Uniform
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You are standing into
danger
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. . _
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Victor
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I require assistance (not
distress)
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. . . _
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Whiskey
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I require medical
assistance
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. _ _
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Xray
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Stop carrying out your intentions
and watch for my signals
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_ . . _
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Yankee
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I am carrying mail
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_ . _ _
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Zulu
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Used to address or call shore
stations
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_ _ . .
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Answering Pennant
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Code/Answer
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Message is understood. Also,
numeric decimal point.
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Numeric Pennants
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0
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Numeral Zero
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_ _ _ _ _
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1
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Numeral One
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. _ _ _ _
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2
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Numeral Two
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. . _ _ _
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3
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Numeral Three
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. . . _ _
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4
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Numeral Four
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. . . . _
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5
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Numeral Five
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. . . . .
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6
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Numeral Six
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_ . . . .
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7
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Numeral Seven
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_ _ . . .
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8
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Numeral Eight
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_ _ _ . .
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9
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Numeral Nine
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_ _ _ _ .
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Substitute Pennants
The first substitute repeats the upper flag or pennant of
a hoist, the second substitute repeats the second flag or
pennant, and so on.
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1st Substitute
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Substitute for the first flag in
this hoist
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.
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2nd Substitute
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Substitute for the second flag in
this hoist
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.
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3rd Substitute
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Substitute for the third flag in
this hoist
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.
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Dressing Ship
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Details on Semaphore flags can be found
here.
Details on Semaphore flags for kids can
be found here.
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