International maritime signal flags: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Flags used for naval communication}}

The system of '''international maritime signal flags''' is a way of representing individual letters of the alphabet in [[International Code of Signals|signal]]s to or from [[ship]]s. It is a component of the [[International Code of Signals]]. <ref name="international">[http://www.anbg.gov.au/flags/signal-flags.html International Marine Signal Flags]</ref>

[[File:Signalflagga - Gladan-Falken - Ystad-2015.jpg|thumb|Two sailing ships [[Dressing overall|dressed overall]] with their signal flags.]]

'''International maritime signal flags''' are various flags used to communicate with ships. The principal system of flags and associated codes is the [[International Code of Signals]].<ref>{{citation

There are various methods that the flags can be used as signals:

| year = 2005

* each flag spells out a letter of an alphabetic message.

| title = International Code of Signals, 2005 ed. (IMO IA994E)

* individual flags have specific and standard meanings; for example, [[diving support vessel]]s raise the "A flag" indicating their inability to move from their current ___location because they have a diver underwater.

| publisher = IMO – International Maritime Organization

* one or more flags form a code word whose meaning can be looked up in a code book held by both parties. An example is the [[Popham numeric code]] used at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]].

| isbn = 978-92-801-4198-6

* in [[yacht racing]] and [[dinghy racing]], flags have other meanings; for example, the P flag is used as the &quot;preparatory&quot; flag to indicate an imminent start, and the S flag means &quot;shortened course&quot;.

}};{{citation

|ref = CITEREFICS1969

|year = 1969

|title = International Code of Signals for Visual, Sound, and Radio Communications, United States Edition, 1969 (Revised 2003)

|url = http://www.seasources.net/PDF/PUB102.pdf

|url-status = live

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150320145733/http://www.seasources.net/PDF/PUB102.pdf

|archivedate = 2015-03-20

}}.</ref> Various navies have flag systems with additional flags and codes, and other flags are used in special uses, or have historical significance.<ref>[http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/sigflgs.html United States Power Squadrons Flag and Etiquette Committee Signal Flags] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104225237/http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/sigflgs.html |date=2013-11-04 }}</ref>

==Usage==

[[NATO]] uses an extra set of flags to communicate specific types of messages.

There are various methods by which the flags can be used as signals:

* A series of flags can spell out a message, each flag representing a letter.

* Individual flags have specific and standard meanings;<ref>AB Nordbok. "The Lore of Ships", page 138. New York: Crescent Books, 1975. {{ISBN|9789174420050}}</ref> for example, [[diving support vessel]]s raise the "A" ('''a'''lfa) flag indicating their inability to move from their current ___location because they have a diver underwater and to warn other vessels to keep clear to avoid endangering the diver(s) with their propellers.

* One or more flags form a code word whose meaning can be looked up in a code book held by both parties. An example is the [[Popham numeric code]] used at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]].

* In [[yacht racing]] and [[dinghy racing]], flags have other meanings; for example, the P ('''P'''apa) flag is used as the "preparatory" flag to indicate an imminent start, and the S ('''S'''ierra) flag means "shortened course" (for more details see [[Racing Rules of Sailing#Race signals|Race signals]]).

[[File:Nautical signal flags - USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).jpg|thumb|Sailor prepares signal flags for operations at sea]]

==Letters==

{| border="0" cellpadding="0"

[[NATO]] uses the same flags, with a few unique to warships, alone or in short sets to communicate various unclassified messages. The NATO usage generally differs from the international meanings, and therefore warships will fly the [[:File:ICS Answer.svg|Code/answer flag]] above the signal to indicate it should be read using the international meaning.

| A || ''Alfa'' || [[Image:ICS_Alpha.svg|50px]] || I have a [[Scuba_diving|diver]] down; keep well clear at slow speed

During the Allied occupations of Axis countries after [[World War II]], use and display of those nations' national flags was banned.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} In order to comply with the international legal requirement that a ship identify its registry by displaying the appropriate national ensign, swallow-tailed versions of the C, D, and E signal flags were designated as, respectively, provisional [[Allied-occupied Germany|German]], [[History of the Ryukyu Islands#Post-war occupation|Okinawan]], and [[Occupation of Japan|Japanese]] [[civil ensign]]s. Being swallowtails, they are commonly referred to as the "[[Flag of Germany#After World War II|C-pennant]]" (German: C-Doppelstander), "[[List of Japanese flags#Historical flags|D-pennant]]", and "[[List of Japanese flags#Historical flags|E-pennant]]".{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

== Letter flags (with ICS meaning) ==<!-- This section is linked from [[Flag semaphore]] -->

{{main|International Code of Signals}}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Letter flags and ICS meanings

|-

!scope="col"| Letter /<br>radio<br>name

| B || ''Bravo'' || [[Image:ICS_Bravo.svg|50px]] || I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods. (Originally used by the [[Royal Navy]] specifically for military explosives.)

!scope="col"| Flag

!scope="col"| [[Blazon]]

!scope="col"| [[International Code of Signals|ICS]] meaning as single flag

!scope="col"| Meaning when used with numeric complements

|-

!scope="row" id="A"| '''A<br>Alfa'''<!-- #### ATTENTION: "ALFA" IS THE CORRECT SPELLING; SEE DISCUSSION ON TALK PAGE BEFORE CHANGING. #### -->

| C || ''Charlie'' || [[Image:ICS_Charlie.svg|50px]] || Yes. {{ref|Distress}}

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Alpha.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''[[Swallowtail (flag)|Swallowtailed]], per pale argent and azure''

| "I have a [[Diver down flag|diver down]]; keep well clear at slow speed."

| Azimuth or bearing

|-

!scope="row" id="B"| '''B<br>Bravo'''

| D || ''Delta'' || [[Image:ICS_Delta.svg|50px]] || Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Bravo.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Swallowtailed, gules''

| "I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the [[Royal Navy]] specifically for military explosives.)

|

|-

!scope="row" id="C"| '''C<br />Charlie'''

| E || ''Echo'' || [[Image:ICS_Echo.svg|50px]] || I am altering my course to [[starboard]].

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Charlie.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Azure, a fess gules fimbriated argent''

| "Affirmative."<ref group="lower-alpha" name="distress">'''N'''ovember and '''C'''harlie together ("NC" / "no" and "yes") is used as a [[distress signal]].</ref><ref group=lower-alpha name="morse">Also signallable on a ship's whistle using [[Morse code]]. See [[International Code of Signals]].</ref>

| [[Magnetic declination#Magnetic bearing|Magnetic bearing]]

|-

!scope="row" id="D"| '''D<br />Delta'''

| F || ''Foxtrot'' || [[Image:ICS_Foxtrot.svg|50px]] || I am disabled; communicate with me.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Delta.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''[[Or (heraldry)|Or]], a Spanish fess azure''

| "Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />

| Date

|-

!scope="row" id="E"| '''E<br />Echo'''

| G || ''Golf'' || [[Image:ICS_Golf.svg|50px]] || I require a [[Harbour_pilot|pilot]]. When made by fishing vessels operating in proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am hauling nets".

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Echo.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Per fess azure and gules''

| "I am altering my course to [[starboard]]."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />

|

|-

!scope="row" id="F"| '''F<br />Foxtrot'''

| H || ''Hotel'' || [[Image:ICS_Hotel.svg|50px]] || I have a pilot on board.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Foxtrot.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Argent, a lozenge throughout gules''

| "I am disabled; communicate with me."<ref group="lower-alpha" name="foxtrot">Historically, in a [[CAM ship#Take-off procedure|CAM ship]] during World War II, '''F'''oxtrot was used to warn about launching the interceptor aircraft from the deck catapult.</ref>

|

|-

!scope="row" id="G"| '''G<br />Golf'''

| I || ''India'' || [[Image:ICS_India.svg|50px]] || I am altering my course to [[Port (nautical)|port]].

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Golf.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Paly of six or and azure''

| "I require a [[Harbour pilot|pilot]]."{{Clear}}''By fishing vessels near fishing grounds:'' "I am hauling nets."

| Longitude (The first 2 or 3 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)

|-

!scope="row" id="H"| '''H<br />Hotel'''

| J || ''Juliett'' || [[Image:ICS_Juliet.svg|50px]] || I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, for I am leaking dangerous cargo.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Hotel.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Per pale argent and gules''

| "I have a pilot on board."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />

|

|-

!scope="row" id="I"| '''I<br />India'''

| K || ''Kilo'' || [[Image:ICS_Kilo.svg|50px]] || I wish to communicate with you.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS India.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Or, a pellet''

| "I am altering my course to [[Port (nautical)|port]]."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />

|

|-

!scope="row" id="J"| '''J<br />Juliett'''

| L || ''Lima'' || [[Image:ICS_Lima.svg|50px]] || You should stop your vessel instantly.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Juliett.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Azure, a fess argent''

| "I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me."{{Clear}}or{{Clear}}"I am leaking dangerous cargo."

|

|-

!scope="row" id="K"| '''K<br />Kilo'''

| M || ''Mike'' || [[Image:ICS_Mike.svg|50px]] || My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Kilo.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Per pale or and azure''

| "I wish to communicate with you."

| "I wish to communicate with you by...":{{Clear}}1) [[Semaphore]] signaling by hand-flags or arms; <!-- #### ATTENTION: The ICS document contains an error. It says "Morse" instead of [[semaphore]]. #### -->{{Clear}}2) Loud hailer (megaphone);{{Clear}}3) Morse signaling lamp;{{Clear}}4) Sound signals.

|-

!scope="row" id="L"| '''L<br />Lima'''

| N || ''November'' || [[Image:ICS_November.svg|50px]] || No. {{ref|Distress}}

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Lima.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Quarterly or and sable''

|"Stop immediately."

| Latitude (the first 2 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)

|-

!scope="row" id="M"| '''M<br />Mike'''

| <div id="O">O</div> || ''Oscar'' || [[Image:ICS_Oscar.svg|50px]] || [[Man overboard]] (often attached to the ''man overboard pole'' on boats).

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Mike.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Azure, a saltire argent''

| "My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />

|

|-

!scope="row" id="N"| '''N<br />November'''

| P || ''Papa'' || [[Image:ICS_Papa.svg|50px]] || The ''Blue Peter''.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

In harbor — All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.<br>

| ''Chequy of sixteen azure and argent''

At sea — It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction". It may also be used as a sound to mean: "I require a pilot".

| "Negative."<ref group=lower-alpha name="distress" />

|

|-

!scope="row" id="O"| '''O<br />Oscar'''

| Q || ''Quebec'' || [[Image:ICS_Quebec.svg|50px]] || My vessel is healthy and I request free [[pratique]].

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Per bend gules and or''

| "[[Man overboard]]."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" /> (often attached to the ''man overboard pole'' on boats).{{Clear}}With a sinister hoist, the [[Flag semaphore|semaphore]] flag.

|

|-

!scope="row" id="P"| '''P<br />Papa'''

| R || ''Romeo'' || [[Image:ICS_Romeo.svg|50px]] || No meaning in the flag code.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Papa.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Azure, an inescutcheon argent''

| The ''blue Peter''.{{Clear}}''In harbour:'' All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.{{Clear}}''At sea:'' It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction."

|

|-

!scope="row" id="Q"| '''[[Yellow Jack (flag)|Q]]<br />Quebec'''

| S || ''Sierra'' || [[Image:ICS_Sierra.svg|50px]] || I am operating astern propulsion.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Quebec.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Or''

| "My vessel is 'healthy' and I request free [[pratique]]."

|

|-

!scope="row" id="R"| '''R<br />Romeo'''

| T || ''Tango'' || [[Image:ICS_Tango.svg|50px]] || Keep clear of me; I am engaged in [[pair trawling]].

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Romeo.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Gules, a cross or''

| {{n/a|No ICS meaning as single flag.}}<!-- True. Check the documentation. -->

''Prior to 1969:'' "The way is off my ship; you may feel your way past me."

| Distance (range) in nautical miles.

|-

!scope="row" id="S"| '''S<br />Sierra'''

| U || ''Uniform'' || [[Image:ICS_Uniform.svg|50px]] || You are going into danger.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Sierra.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Argent, an inescutcheon azure''

| "I am operating [[astern propulsion]]."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />

| Speed (velocity) in knots

|-

!scope="row" id="T"| '''T<br />Tango'''

| V || ''Victor'' || [[Image:ICS_Victor.svg|50px]] || I require assistance.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Tango.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Tierced in pale gules, argent and azure''

| "Keep clear of me."<ref group=lower-alpha name="morse" />{{Clear}}''Fishing boats:'' "Keep clear of me; I am engaged in [[pair trawling]]."

| Local time. (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.)

|-

!scope="row" id="U"| '''U<br />Uniform'''

| W || ''Whiskey'' || [[Image:ICS_Whiskey.svg|50px]] || I require medical assistance.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Uniform.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Quarterly gules and argent''

| "You are running into danger."<ref group="lower-alpha" name="tsunami">In Japan, the "U" ('''U'''niform) flag is now also used to indicate a [[tsunami warning]], although the ICS recommends the flag combination "ND" ('''N'''ovember + '''D'''elta) for such a warning.</ref>

|

|-

!scope="row" id="V"| '''V<br />Victor'''

| X || ''Xray'' || [[Image:ICS_X-ray.svg|50px]] || Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Victor.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Argent, a saltire gules''

| "I require assistance."

| Velocity in kilometres per hour.

|-

!scope="row" id="W"| '''W<br />Whiskey'''

| Y || ''Yankee'' || [[Image:ICS_Yankee.svg|50px]] || I am dragging my [[anchor]].

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Whiskey.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Azure, an inescutcheon gules fimbriated argent''

| "I require medical assistance."

|

|-

!scope="row" id="X"| '''X<br />Xray'''

| Z || ''Zulu'' || [[Image:ICS_Zulu.svg|50px]] || I require a [[Tugboat|tug]]. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am shooting nets".

<!-- #### ATTENTION: "XRAY" (WITHOUT A HYPHEN) IS THE CORRECT SPELLING; SEE DISCUSSION ON TALK PAGE BEFORE CHANGING. #### -->

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS X-ray.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Argent, a cross azure''

| "Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals."

|

|-

!scope="row" id="Y"| '''Y<br />Yankee'''

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Yankee.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Bendy sinister of ten or and gules''

| "I am dragging my anchor."

|

|-

!scope="row" id="Z"| '''[[Z flag|Z]]<br />Zulu'''

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Zulu.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| ''Per saltire or, sable, gules and azure''

| "I require a [[Tugboat|tug]]."{{Clear}}''By fishing vessels near fishing grounds:'' "I am shooting nets."<ref group="lower-alpha" name="zulu">The Z ('''Z'''ulu) flag was also famously hoisted by Admiral [[Heihachiro Togo]] at the 1905 [[Battle of Tsushima]] as the Japanese fleet prepared to engage the Russian fleet. In Japanese coding at the time, the flag meant, "The fate of the Empire rests on the outcome of this battle. Let each man do his utmost." (「皇國ノ興廢此ノ一戰ニ在リ、各員一層奮勵努力セヨ」)</ref><!-- Removed non-ICS "meanings". See Talk page.-->

| Time ([[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]). (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.)

|}

'''Notes'''

<nowiki>*</nowiki> {{note|distress}} N and C together (No and Yes) is used as a [[distress signal]].

{{notelist | group="lower-alpha"}}

==Numbers Number flags ==

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

{|

|+NATO number flags

|- style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"

|-

| Type of flag || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 || 9

!scope="col"| Number

!scope="col"| [[NATO]] flag

!scope="col"| [[International Code of Signals|ICS]] flag

!scope="col"| Blazons

|-

!scope="row"| '''0<br />Zero'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Zero.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Zero.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Argent, five crosses hummetty azure in saltire''<br/>ICS: ''Or, a pale gules''

|-

!scope="row"| '''1<br />One'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Gules, a fess or''<br/>ICS: ''Argent, a torteau''

|-

!scope="row"| '''2<br />Two'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Two.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Two.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Or, a fess gules''<br/>ICS: ''Azure, a plate''

|-

!scope="row"| '''3<br />Three'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Three.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Three.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Azure, a fess gules''<br/>ICS: ''Tierced in pale gules, argent and azure''

|-

!scope="row"| '''4<br />Four'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Four.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Four.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Gules, a saltire argent''<br/>ICS: ''Gules, a cross of Saint Philip argent''

|-

!scope="row"| '''5<br />Five'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Five.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Five.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Or, a saltire azure''<br/>ICS: ''Per pale or and azure''

|-

!scope="row"| '''6<br />Six'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Six.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Six.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Bendy sinister of seven argent and azure''<br/>ICS: ''Per fess sable and argent''

|-

!scope="row"| '''7<br />Seven'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Seven.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Seven.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Gules, a pale argent''<br/>ICS: ''Per fess or and gules''

|-

!scope="row"| '''8<br />Eight'''

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Eight.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Eight.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Or, a pale azure''<br/>ICS: ''Argent, a cross of Saint Philip gules''

|-

!scope="row"| '''9<br />Niner'''

| NATO flags || [[Image:ICS_Zero.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_One.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Two.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Three.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Four.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Five.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Six.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Seven.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Eight.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Niner.svg|50px]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Niner.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | [[File:ICS Pennant Niner.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| NATO: ''Azure, a pale argent''<br/>ICS: ''Quarterly argent, sable, gules and or''

|-

!./½

| Pennants || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Zero.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_One.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Two.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Three.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Four.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Five.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Six.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Seven.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Eight.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Pennant_Niner.svg|50px]]

Point/One Half

| style="text-align: center;" |

| style="text-align: center;" |[[File:ICS_Answer.svg|frameless|130x130px]]

|ICS: ''Paleways of five pieces, gules and argent''

|}

==OtherSubstitute flags==

Substitute or repeater flags allow messages with duplicate characters to be signaled without the need for multiple sets of flags.

{|

The four NATO substitute flags are as follows:

{| class="wikitable"

|-

|

| [[Image:ICS_Prompt.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Repeat_One.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Repeat_Two.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Repeat_Three.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Repeat_Four.svg|50px]]

| [[File:ICS Repeat One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Two.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Three.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Four.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

|-

|

| [[Prompt_flag|Prompt]] || First [[Substitute_flag|substitute]] || Second substitute || Third substitute || Fourth substitute

| First substitute || Second substitute || Third substitute || Fourth substitute

|-

|'''Blazon'''

| colspan=5 |

|''Triangular, Or, a bordure azure which does not touch the dexter end''

===[[NATO]] signals===

|''Triangular, per pale azure and argent''

|''Triangular, argent, a fess sable''

|''Triangular, gules, a square Or in the fess position touching the dexter end''

|}

The [[International Code of Signals]] includes only the first three of these substitute flags. To illustrate their use, here are some messages and the way they would be encoded:

{| class="wikitable"

|-

| "N" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| [[Image:ICS_Answer.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Prepare.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Question.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Negative.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Designation.svg|50px]]

|-

| "O" || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| Code/answer (ANS) || Preparation (PREP) || Question (INT) || Negation (NEGAT) || Designation (DESIG)

|-

| "NO" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]]

| [[Image:ICS_Corpen.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Turn.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Screen.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Speed.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Station.svg|50px]]

|-

| "NON" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Repeat One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| Alter course (CORPEN) || Turn (TURN) || Screen (SCREEN) || Speed (SPEED) || Station (STATION)

|-

| [[Image:ICS_Port.svg|50px]]"NOO" || [[ImageFile:ICS_StarboardICS November.svg|50pxframeless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[ImageFile:ICS_FormationICS Oscar.svg|50pxframeless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[ImageFile:ICS_DivisionICS Repeat Two.svg|50px]] frameless|center| [[Image:ICS_Squadronupright=0.svg|50px5]]

|-

| "NOON" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Two.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| Port (PORT) || Starboard (STBD) || Formation (FORM) || Division (DIV) || Squadron (SQUAD)

|-

| "NONO" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Repeat One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Two.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| [[Image:ICS_Group.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Subdivision.svg|50px]] || [[Image:ICS_Emergency.svg|50px]]

|-

| "NONON" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Repeat One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Two.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Three.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

| Group (FLOT)|| Subdivision (SUBDIV) || Emergency (EMERG)

|-

| "NONNN" || [[File:ICS November.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Oscar.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.3]] || [[File:ICS Repeat One.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Three.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]] || [[File:ICS Repeat Four.svg|frameless|center|upright=0.5]]

|}

== See also ==

{{Portal|Transport}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

* [[Bravo Zulu]]

* [[Character encoding]]

* [[Day shapes]]

* [[Diver down flag]]

* [[Dressing overall]]

* [[England expects that every man will do his duty]]

* [[Z flag#In Japan|The fate of the Empire rests on the outcome of this battle. Let each man do his utmost]]

* [[Flag of Germany#After World War II|Flag of Germany after World War II]] (C-Pennant)

* [[Flag semaphore]]

* [[Heliograph]]

* [[International Code of Signals]]

* [[International inspection pennant]]

* [[List of international common standards]]

* [[NATO phonetic alphabet]]

* [[CharacterSignal encodinglamp]]

* [[Yellow Jack (flag)|Yellow Jack]]

}}

==References==

== References ==

<references/>

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category|Category:International Code of Signals}}

* [https://books.google.com/books?id=PyEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=motor+gun+boat&pg=PA102 "How Ships Talk With Flags", October 1944, Popular Science]

* [http://www.anbg.gov.au/flags/signal-meaning.html The flags and their meanings] '''NOTE:''' Outdated meanings.

* [http://www.quadibloc.com/other/flaint.htm John Savard's flag page.] Collection of different flag systems.

* [http://www.navypaxsail.com/Flags.htm Freeware to aid memorizing the flags] from [http://www.navypaxsail.com/ The Navy Patuxent Sailing Club]

* [http://flags.daleys.us Freeware to aid memorizing the flags]

* [http://www.flagsfantastic.com.au/html/nautical.html Flags Fantastic - Nautical flags (A - Z & Pennant)]

* [http://lingvo.org/flagoj/ ''La flag-alfabeto''] - signal flags used for the [[Esperanto language]]. Description:- the flags for the esperantoEsperanto letters with diacritical marks have the lighter color in the normal flag replaced with light green, which is not used in any normal flag.

* [http://www.tpub.com/content/aviation/14243/css/14243_95.htm Signalman manual]

* [http://www.digitalreview.com.ar/nauticalflags/ Nautical Flags Alphabet]

* [http://www.sametz.com/html/how/articles/nautical.shtml brief history of naval signals]

{{list of writing systems}}

[[Category:Flags]]

{{Telecommunications}}

[[Category:Early telecommunications]]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Latin alphabet representations]]

[[Category:International flags]]

[[br:Bannieloù aroueziañ war vor]]

[[Category:Latin-script representations]]

[[cs:Námořní vlajková abeceda]]

[[Category:Maritime flags]]

[[da:Signalflag]]

[[Category:Maritime signalling]]

[[de:Flaggenalphabet]]

[[Category:Nonverbal communication]]

[[es:Banderas de señales]]

[[Category:Optical communications]]

[[eo:Alfabetaj flagoj]]

[[Category:Signal flags]]

[[fr:Pavillon]]

[[it:Codice Internazionale Nautico]]

[[he:דגלי הקוד הבינלאומי]]

[[nl:Seinvlag]]

[[ja:国際信号旗]]

[[pl:Międzynarodowy Kod Sygnałowy]]

[[pt:Código internacional de sinais]]

[[ru:Сигнальные флаги]]

[[fi:Viestiliput]]