Each flag represents a letter or number and can spell out a word or messsage. Each alphabetic flag can also mean a common word or phrase.
letters | phonetic alphabet | meanings |
A | Alfa | Diver below, OR undergoing speed trial |
B | Bravo | taking or discharging explosives |
C | Charlie | Affirmative/Yes |
D | Delta | Keep clear; Maneuvering with difficulty |
E | Echo | Altering course to starboard |
F | Foxtrot | Disabled, communicate with me |
G | Golf | Need a pilot |
H | Hotel | I have a pilot |
I | Altering course to port | |
J | Juliette | I will send you message by semaphore; On fire with dangerous cargo, keep clear |
K | Kilo | You should stop your vessel instantly. Wish to communicate |
L | You should stop, I have something important to communicate | |
M | Mike | I have a doctor on board. Stopped and makingno way through the water |
N | November | Negative/No |
O | Oscar | Man overboard |
P | Papa | "The Blue Peter" All aboard, vessel is about to proceed. At sea: your lights are out or burning badly |
Q | My vessel is healthy and I request free practique | |
R | Romeo | The way is off my ship. You may feel your way past me |
S | Sierra | My engines are going full speed astern |
T | Tango | Do not pass ahead of me, Keep clear, engaged in pair trawling |
U | Uniform | You are coming into danger |
V | Victor | I require assistance (not distress) |
W | Whiskey | I require medical assistance |
X | X-ray | Stop what you're doing and watch for my signals |
Y | Yankee | I am carrying mails; dragging my anchor |
Z | Zulu | To be used to address or call shore stations. Require tug |
Flags codes
signal flags | meanings |
NC | I am in distress |
AC | I am abandoning my vessel |
AN | I need a doctor |
BR | I require a helicopter |
CD | I require immediate assistance |
DV | I am drifting |
EF | SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled |
FA | Will you give me my position? |
GW | Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up |
JL | You are running the risk of going aground |
LO | I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel |
PD | Your navigation lights are not visible |
PP | Keep well clear of me |
RU | Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty |
QD | I am going ahead |
QQ | I require health clearance |
QT | I am going astern |
QU | Anchoring is prohibited |
QX | I request permission to anchor |
SO | You should stop your vessel instantly |
UM | The Harbor is closed to traffic |
UP | Permission to enter Harbor is urgently requested. I have an emergency |
YU | I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals |
ZL | Your signal has been received but not understood. |