A
Alfa
“I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”
B
Bravo
“I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods.” (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.)
C
Charlie
“Affirmative”
D
Delta
“Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.”
E
Echo
“I am altering my course to starboard.”
F
Foxtrot
“I am disabled; communicate with me.”
G
Golf
“I require a pilot.”
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: “I am hauling nets.”
H
Hotel
“I have a pilot on board.”
I
India
“I am altering my course to port.”
J
Juliet
“I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me.”
or
“I am leaking dangerous cargo.”
K
Kilo
“I wish to communicate with you.”
L
Lima
In harbour: “The ship is quarantined.”
At sea: “You should stop your vessel instantly.”
M
Mike
“My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.”
N
November
“Negative.”
O
Oscar
“Man overboard.”(often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).
With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag.
P
Papa
The blue Peter.
In harbour: 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.”
Q
Quebec
“My vessel is ‘healthy’ and I request free pratique.”
R
Romeo
No ICS meaning as single flag.
S
Sierra
“I am operating astern propulsion.”
T
Tango
“Keep clear of me.”
Fishing boats: “Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.”
U
Uniform
“You are running into danger.”
V
Victor
“I require assistance.”
W
Whiskey
“I require medical assistance.”
X
Xray
“Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.”
Y
Yankee
“I am dragging my anchor.”
