Fellows of WLI,

Referring to our last inspection to one of WLI Vessels that they have already a Maritime Code /Letter
Flag as shown below but does not have a table list/printing chart of International Letter Flag as require
on Maritime operations. The flags has purposes to provide the ways and means of communication in
situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons, especially when language difficulties
arise or communications network error/not exactly clear or because many other reasons including
weather/extreme climates.
It may be done by this by first establishing a standardized alphabet (the letters A to Z, and the ten digits)
and associating this alphabet with standardized flags. (please see table / chart of International Flag and
Pennants).

Please take this short Lesson Learns relate with the Maritime Flag for you information and perhaps it
could be used as Barge safety/marine talks on your barge as well (cc to TI Supervisors onboard as well)
at least may printed the table/chart for barges/vessels which does not have it yet.

INTERNATIONAL CODE of SIGNALS

The International Code of Signals (ICS) is an international system of signals and codes for use by vessels
to communicate important messages regarding safety of navigation and related matters. Signals can be
sent by flag hoist, signal lamp ("blinker"), flag semaphore, radiotelegraphy, and radiotelephony. The
International Code is the most recent evolution of a wide variety of Maritime flag signaling systems.
These flags are used at sea for communication between ships. They can spell out short messages and
individual flags and various combinations of flags also have special meanings. On ceremonial and festive
occasions the signal flags are used to 'dress' (decorate) ships.
Only a few colors can be readily distinguished at sea. These are: red, blue, yellow, black, and white; and
these cannot be mixed indiscriminately. You will notice, for clarity, the flags shown are either red and
white, yellow and blue, blue and white, or black and white; besides plain red, white, and blue.

Common Usages are :

• One-flag signals are urgent or very common signals (see meanings below)
• Two-flag signals are mostly distress and maneuvering signals
• Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation,
also general code and decode signals
• Four-flags are used for geographical signals, names of ships, bearings, etc
• Five-flag signals are those relating to time and position
• Six-flag signals are used when necessary to indicate north or south or east or west in latitude and
longitude signals
• Seven-flags are for longitude signals containing more than one hundred degrees.

A Alfa - Diver below (when stationary); Keep clear

B Bravo - I am taking on, discharging, or carrying dangerous cargo
C Charlie - "Yes" or "affirmative"
D Delta - I am maneuvering with difficulty; keep clear
E Echo - I am altering my course to starboard
F Foxtrot - I am disabled, communicate with me
G Golf - I require a pilot
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; keep clear
K Kilo - I wish to communicate with you
L Lima - You should stop your vessel immediately
M Mike - My vessel is stopped (Not international but commonly used: Doctor on board)
N November - "No" or "negative"
O Oscar - Man overboard
P Papa - All personnel return to ship; about to sail - the Blue Peter
Q Quebec - Ship meets health regs; request clearance into port
R Romeo - None (previous meaning: The way is off my ship. You may feel your way past me)
S Sierra - I am moving astern
T Tango - Keep clear (Not international but commonly used: Request for club launch)
U Uniform - You are standing into danger
V Victor - I require assistance (not distress)
W Whiskey - I require medical assistance
X Xray - Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
Y Yankee - I am dragging anchor
Z Zulu - I require a tug

Wish from this short lessons can be useful for us at least we may little bit note about each flag form and
color of it means and knows the importance of them onbarge/vessels.