International code of signals as normally referred to as signals and flags that that I used to communicate signs and meanings of certain hidden codes or information to oncoming or fellow sailors who would the code search quotes and understand information in the code of signals and flag.
Various levels of different countries and flags system with which they communicate codes and information from one place to another and from amongst themselves this helps them to pass information without the enemy understanding the codes from which they speak. Hence, communication is done without the necessary traditional writing or speaking but with codes amongst a group of people but in this scenario is the Navy.
History Of Signal Flags
Signal flags were primarily and initially used for communications amongst comrades and military personnel to avoid a misunderstanding and to communicate effectively on waterways. What started as a limited communication system as advanced so much over years and centuries into a well-defined much more comprehensive and internationally acclaimed signaling system not only functional for the military but as well even for sporting activities such as sailing.
Not only this even vessels and ships that are used for recreational activities as well as other commercial usage is make use of this signal flags for communication on open seas and offshore water way communications.
The Military History Of Code Signal Flags
The military, been renowned for making use of code signal flags, initiated and internationally on the school system which comprises of alphabets and letters as codes and flags there are 26 in number that is the a to z. Also there are ten numeral pennants as well as 1 numeral pennants and 3 repeaters.
The signal flags comprises of colors and make use of combination of this same colors to represent information being passed across to the other person these colors include red and white, blue and yellow, blue and white, black and white, and plain red colors that can be easily seen at sea. Hence, obscure or far away unclear colors are not made use of in sending signals to the other vessel at sea. Rather, pictures on flags made from colors that can be apparent and sharp from far away distance from the other vessel is used to communicate the signals and information.
This information sent by the signal flags are 21 or inform all of its members in the traditional and old military fleet voyage only battle. However due to the primitive understanding and use of this code signals early flags communication system were limited the primary use was to send information as regards the need for the conference when more detailed information will be provided and the necessary stakeholders will be briefed.
The first International Code, which was drafted in 1855 and published in 1857 by a British Board of Trade, contained 70,000 signals, 17,000 messages, and used 18 flags.
Subsequent revisions were made to the Code during the International Radiotelegraph Conference of Madrid in 1932 where six more flags were added for different languages including French, Italian, German, Japanese, Norwegian, and Spanish. In 1947, it was determined that the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMO) should have responsibility over the Code.
In 1969, more flags were added to accommodate the Greek and Russian languages, and each alpha-numeric signal flag was assigned meaning under the International Code.
Flags are used as codes to spell out a message and referred to a thing to an information which would be understood by the person who is the flag is being held out to it represent a letter or have another specific on standard meaning. Basically the flags I have a straight forward meaning and not an ambiguous one which could leave the mind of the decoder in disarray.
For example when a diving support vessel raises there a flag this indicates the inability to move from your current position as their stuck therein, having a diver underwater and it is also to warn vessels and ships from coming closer to where they are so as to avoid endangering the life of the diver as well as their propellers.
One or more flags could come together to form a word which ordinarily serves as a code and could be looked up in a code book which has been agreed upon by both parties such an example of such code books is there Popham numeric code used at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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 sailing, yacht racing and dinghy racing are flags holding different meanings for different things and this different information being passed along across are signified by an alphabet. For example P flag is used as the preparatory flag to indicate that a rich is about to start wild S flag means a shortened course.
It is observed that natto uses the same flags although there are certain few unique alterations to some but all are to communicate various unclassified messages. It is used by them generally and it represents variance of international meanings.
Flag Letters And Their Meaning
| A – Alfa | “I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.” |
| B – Bravo | “I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods.” |
| C – Charlie | “Affirmative.” |
| D – Delta | “Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.” |
| 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 on board: keep well clear of me.” |
| K – Kilo | “I wish to communicate with you.” |
| L – Lima | In harbor: “The ship is quarantined.” At sea: “You should stop your vessel instantly.” |
| 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). With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag |
| 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. You may feel you way past me” |
| 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.” |
| V – Victor | “I require assistance.” |
| “I require medical assistance.” | |
| 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.” By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: “I am shooting nets.” |