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October 7, 2008

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Semaphore Flags

Semaphore Flags (International Maritime Signal Flags) are used to signal between two ships or between ship and shore. They can be used to spell out messages, or used singly or in combinations to convey special messages.

The following list shows a representation of each flag as well as their meanings.

Alphabet Flags

Flag	Letter	Meaning	Morse Code
	Alpha	Diver below (when stationary) or undergoing a speed trial	. _
	Bravo	Taking on or discharging explosives	_ . . .
	Charlie	Affirmative (yes)	_ . _ .
	Delta	Keep clear, maneuvering with difficulty(yes)	_ . .
	Echo	Altering course to starboard	.
	Foxtrot	Disabled, communicate with me	. . _ .
	Golf	I require a pilot	_ _ .
	Hotel	I have a pilot on board	. . . .
	India	Altering course to port	. .
	Juliet	Am going to send a message by semaphore	. _ _ _
	kilo	Stop instantly	_ . _
	Lima	Stop, I have something important to communicate	. _ . .
	Mike	I have a doctor on board	_ _
	November	Negative (no)	_ .
	Oscar	Man overboard	_ _ _
	Papa	All aboard, vessel is about to put to sea or lights are out (at sea)	. _ _ .
	Quebec	My vessel is healthy and I request free practique	_ _ . _
	Romeo	The way is off my ship, you may feel your way past me	. _ .
	Sierra	My engines are going full speed astern	. . .
	Tango	Do not pass ahead of me	_
	Uniform	You are standing into danger	. . _
	Victor	I require assistance (not distress)	. . . _
	Whiskey	I require medical assistance	. _ _
	Xray	Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals	_ . . _
	Yankee	I am carrying mail	_ . _ _
	Zulu	Used to address or call shore stations	_ _ . .

Answering Pennant

Flag	Purpose	Meaning
	Code Answer	Message is understood. Also, numeric decimal point.

Numeric Pennants

Flag	Number	Meaning	Morse Code
	0	Numeral Zero	_ _ _ _ _
	1	Numeral One	. _ _ _ _
	2	Numeral Two	. . _ _ _
	3	Numeral Three	. . . _ _
	4	Numeral Four	. . . . _
	5	Numeral Five	. . . . .
	6	Numeral Six	_ . . . .
	7	Numeral Seven	_ _ . . .
	8	Numeral Eight	_ _ _ . .
	9	Numeral Nine	_ _ _ _ .

Substitute Pennants

The first substitute repeats the upper flag or pennant of a hoist, the second substitute repeats the second flag or pennant, and so on.
Flag	Purpose	Meaning
	1st Substitute	Substitute for the first flag in this hoist
	2nc Substitute	Substitute for the second flag in this hoist
	3rd Substitute	Substitute for the third flag in this hoist