Letter
|
Flag
|
Meaning
|
Buy Flags
|
|
A
Alfa
|
 |
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
With three numerals, azimuth or bearing.
|
|
|
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.
With three numerals, course.
|
|
|
D
Delta
|
 |
Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
With two, four, or six numerals, date.
|
|
|
E
Echo
|
 |
I am altering my course to starboard. |
|
|
F
Foxtrot
|
 |
I am disabled; communicate with me. |
|
|
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".
With four or five numerals, longitude. (The last two numerals denote minutes and the rest degrees.)
|
|
|
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.
With one numeral, I wish to communicate with you by; 1) Morse signalling by hand-flags or arms; 2) Loud hailer (megaphone); 3) Morse signalling lamp; 4) Sound signals.
|
|
|
L
Lima
|
 |
In harbor: The ship is under Quarantine. At sea: You should stop your vessel instantly.
With four numerals, latitude. (The first two denote degrees and the rest minutes.)
|
|
|
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). |
|
|
P
Papa
|
 |
The Blue Peter. 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". |
|
|
Q
Quebec
|
 |
My vessel is "healthy" and I request free pratique. |
|
|
R
Romeo
|
 |
The way is off my ship.
With one or more numerals, distance in nautical miles.
|
|
|
S
Sierra
|
 |
I am operating astern propulsion. With one or more numerals, speed in knots. |
|
|
T
Tango
|
 |
Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
With four numerals, local time. (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.)
|
|
|
U
Uniform
|
 |
You are running into danger. |
|
|
V
Victor
|
 |
I require assistance.
With one or more numerals, speed in kilometers per hour.
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
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".
With one or more numerals, time (UTC). (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.) (Origin of the phrase 'Zulu Time'.)
|
|
