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Nautical Flags

nautical flag A

A

Alfa

“I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”

nautical flag B

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”

nautical flag D

D

Delta

“Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.”

nautical flag E

E

Echo

“I am altering my course to starboard.”

nautical flag F

F

Foxtrot

“I am disabled; communicate with me.”

nautical flag G

G

Golf

“I require a pilot.”

 

By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: “I am hauling nets.”

nautical flag H

H

Hotel

“I have a pilot on board.”

nautical flag I

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.”

nautical flag K

K

Kilo

“I wish to communicate with you.”

L

Lima

In harbour: “The ship is quarantined.”

 

At sea: “You should stop your vessel instantly.”

nautical flag M

M

Mike

“My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.”

nautical flag N

N

November

“Negative.”

nautical flag O

O

Oscar

“Man overboard.”(often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).

 

With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag.

nautical flag P

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.”

nautical flag Q

Q

Quebec

“My vessel is ‘healthy’ and I request free pratique.”

nautical flag R

R

Romeo

No ICS meaning as single flag.

nautical flag S

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.”

nautical flag V

V

Victor

“I require assistance.”

W

Whiskey

“I require medical assistance.”

nautical flag X

X

Xray

“Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.”

nautical flag Y

Y

Yankee

“I am dragging my anchor.”

nautical flag Z

Z

Zulu

“I require a tug.”

 

By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: “I am shooting nets.”