Meanings of International Maritime Signal Flags
A - Diver
below (when stationary); I am undergoing a speed trial
B - I am
taking on or discharging explosives
C -
(affirmative)
D - keep
clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty
E - I am
altering my course to starboard
F - I am
disabled, communicate with me
G - I
require a pilot
H - I
have a pilot on board
I - I am
altering my course to port
J - I am
going to send a message by semaphore
K - you
should stop your vessel instantly
L - you
should stop, I have something important to communicate
M - I
have a doctor on board
N - no
(negative)
O - man
overboard
P - the Blue
Peter - all aboard, vessel
is about to proceed sea. (At sea) your lights are out or burning badly
Q - my
vessel is healthy and I request free practique
R - the
way is off my ship. You may feel you way past me
S - my
engines are going full speed astern
T - do
not pass ahead of me
U - you
are standing into danger
V - I
require assistance (not distress)
W - I
require medical assistance
X - stop
carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
Y - I am
carrying mails
Z - to be
used to address or call shore stations
Answering Pennant
Code and
answering pennant.
Numeric Pennants
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Substitute Pennants
substitute
1;
substitute
2;
substitute
3;
Distress
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N + C - I
am in distress
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Last Updated:
2/8/03