NBOA Marine Insurance Resources
Nautical Flag Guide
All you need to know about nautical signaling flags and their meanings.
Although you may never see them displayed except at fleet parades, code flags are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. Also called signaling flags, they are a set of flags of different colors, shapes, and markings which used singly or in combination have different meanings. The flags include 26 square flags which depict the letters of the alphabet, ten numeral pendants, one answering pendant, and three substituters or repeaters.
One-flag signals are urgent or very common signals (see meanings below). Two-flag signals are mostly distress and maneuvering signals. Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation, also general code and decode signals. Four-flags are used for geographical signals, names of ships, bearings, etc. Five-flag signals are those relating to time and position. Six-flag signals are used when necessary to indicate north or south or east or west in latitude and longitude signals. Seven-flags are for longitude signals containing more than one hundred degrees.
Nautical Flag Guide
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A-alpha- I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
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B-bravo- I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
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C-charlie- Yes (affirmative or the significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative.
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D-delta- Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficultly.
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E-echo- I am altering my course to starboard.
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F-foxtrot- I am disabled; communicate with me.
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G-golf- I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: I am hauling nets.
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H-hotel- I have a pilot on board.
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I-india- I am altering my course to port.
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J-juliett- I am on fire and have handerous cardo on board: keep well clear of me.
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K-kilo- I wish to communicate with you.
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L-lima- You should stop your vessel instantly.
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M-mike- My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
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N-november- No (negative of the significance of the previous group should be read in the negative). This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be NO.
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O-oscar- Man overboard.
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P-papa- In harbor. - All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea. - It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: My nets have come fast upon an obstruction.
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Q-quebec- My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique.
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S-sierra- My engines are going astern.
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T-tango- Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
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U-uniform- You are running into danger.
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V-victor- I require assistance.
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W-whiskey- I require medical assistance.
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X-xray- Stop carrying our your intentions and watch for my signals.
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Y-yankee- I am dragging my anchor.
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Z-zulu- I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: I am shooting nets.
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