INTERNATIONAL

CODE OF SIGNALS
(MARINE SIGNAL
FLAGS)

These flags form an internationally recognized

set of signals (intended for use by ships at sea).
There are four kinds of flags used (40 flags
altogether).
A.

Alphabet flags

(26 flags)

B.

Numeric pennants

(10 flags)

C.

Answering pennant

(1 flag)

D.

Substitute pennants

(3 flags)

ALPHABET
FLAGS
These flags can represent either the
alphabets (A-Z) or they may represent a
message. For example the O flag stands
for either the letter O or it can mean man
overboard.

NUMBER
PENNANTS
These flags represent the numbers 1 to 0.

ANSWERING
PENNANT
This flag is used for acknowledging a
received signal.

SUBSTITUTE
PENNANTS
These flags are used when you wish to show a flag that
has already been used. The type of flag indicates which
flag in the list you should repeat. For example if you
wanted to send the message A B C D E B you would place
the flags for A, B, C, D and E, and for the last flag (which
is B repeated) you would use the blue/white (second
substitute) flag. This instructs the observer to 'repeat' the
second flag in the list, namely the B.

Alphabet Flag

ALPHA

I have a diver down,

keep well clear and at

Alphabet Flag

BRAVO

I am taking in, discharging, or carrying

dangerous goods.

Alphabet Flag

CHARLIE

YES, affirmative
The significance of the previous group should be read in the
affirmative.

Alphabet Flag

DELTA

Keep clear of me,

I am maneuvering with difficulty.

Alphabet Flag

ECHO

I am altering my course to starboard

(turning right).

Alphabet Flag

FOXTROT

I am disabled,
communicate with me.

Alphabet Flag

GOLF

I require a pilot;
I am hauling nets (used by fishing vessels).

Alphabet Flag

HOTEL

I have a pilot on board.

Alphabet Flag

INDIA

I am altering my course to port

(turning left).

Alphabet Flag

JULIET

Keep well clear of me. I am on fire and have

dangerous cargo on board or I am leaking
dangerous cargo.

Alphabet Flag

KILO

I wish to communicate with you.

Alphabet Flag

L IMA

You should stop your vessel

instantly.

Alphabet Flag

MIKE

My vessel is stopped and making no way

through the water.

Alphabet Flag NOVEMBER

NO - negative
The significance of the previous group should be read in the
negative.

Alphabet Flag

OSCAR

Man overboard.

Alphabet Flag

PAPA

In harbour: All persons to report on board as the vessel is about to

proceed to sea;
At sea: I require a pilot (sound signal)
At sea : My nets have come fast upon an obstruction (used by fishing
vessel).

Alphabet Flag

QUEBEC

My ship is healthy and I request free

pratique.

Alphabet Flag

ROMEO

(No signal)

Alphabet Flag

SIERRA

I am operating astern propulsion.

Alphabet Flag

TANGO

Keep clear,
I am engaged in pair trawling.

Alphabet Flag

UNIFORM

You are running into danger.

Alphabet Flag

VICTOR

I require assistance.

Alphabet Flag

WHISKEY

I require medical assistance.

Alphabet Flag

XRAY

Stop carrying out your intentions and

watch for my signals.

Alphabet Flag

YANKEE

I am dragging my anchor.

Alphabet Flag

ZULU

I require a tug;
I am shooting nets (used by fishing vessels).

Numeric Pennant 0
NADAZERO

Numeric Pennant 1
UNA ONE

Numeric Pennant 2
BISSO TWO

Numeric Pennant 3
TERRE THREE

Numeric Pennant 4
QARTE FOUR

Numeric Pennant 5
PANTA FIVE

Numeric Pennant 6
SOX SI SIX

Numeric Pennant 7
SAY TE SEVEN

Numeric Pennant 8
OCTO EIGHT

Numeric Pennant 9
NOVE NINER

Answering Pennant

1 Substitute
st

2 . Substitute
nd

3 . Substitute
rd

What did I
send?

P
E
A
C
E

ANSWER

What did I
send?

A
G
A
P
E

ANSWER

What did I
send?

S
A
B
A
H

ANSWER

What did I
send?

ANSWER

TEST
ALPHABET
FLAGS

TEST

Alphabet Flag

My vessel is stopped and making no way

through the water.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I am taking on, carrying or discharging

dangerous goods.

TEST

Alphabet Flag
(No signal)

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I wish to communicate with you.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

Keep clear of me,

I am maneuvering with difficulty.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

In harbour: The ship is about to leave port;

At sea: I require a pilot or my nets have come fast

TEST

Alphabet Flag

You should stop your vessel instantly.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I am disabled,
communicate with me.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

My ship is healthy and I request free pratique.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I have a diver down,

keep well clear and at a slow

TEST

Alphabet Flag
Man overboard.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I am dragging my anchor.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I require a pilot;
I am hauling nets (used by fishing vessels).

TEST

Alphabet Flag
YES,
affirmative.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

Stop carrying out your intentions and watch

for my signals.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I have a pilot on board.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I require a tug;
I am shooting nets (used by fishing vessels).

TEST

Alphabet Flag

My engines are going full astern / I am operating

astern propulsion.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I require medical assistance.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I am directing my course to port (turning left).

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I require assistance.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I am directing my course to starboard (turning

right).

TEST

Alphabet Flag

You are running into danger.

TEST

Alphabet Flag

I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board or

I am leaking dangerous cargo. Keep well clear.

TEST

Alphabet Flag
NO,
negative

TEST

Alphabet Flag

Keep clear,
I am engaged in pair trawling.

TEST
PENNANTS

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

Numeric Pennant

TEST

3 . Substitute
rd

TEST

1 Substitute
st

TEST

Answering Pennant

TEST

Substitute Pennant 2

PAIRING FOR EASIER IDENTIFICATION

A

APPROXIMATE PAIRS