International Maritime Signal Flags - Letter Flags (with ICS Meaning)

Letter Flags (with ICS Meaning)

• A (Alfa)
  "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed."
  With three numerals, azimuth or bearing.

• B (Bravo)
  "I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.)

• C (Charlie)
  "Affirmative."
  With three numerals, course in degrees magnetic.

• D (Delta)
  "Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty."
  With two, four, or six numerals, date.

• E (Echo)
  "I am altering my course to starboard." Crew at meals

• F (Foxtrot)
  "I am disabled; communicate with me." (When flown from an aircraft carrier; "Warning; flight operations underway.")

• G (Golf)
  "I require a pilot."
  When made by fishing vessels operating in proximity of the fishing grounds it means: "I am hauling nets."
  With four or five numerals, longitude. (The last two numerals denote minutes and the rest degrees.)

• 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.", or "I am leaking dangerous cargo."

• K (Kilo)
  "I wish to communicate with you." With one numeral, "I wish to communicate with you by..."; 1) Morse signalling by hand-flags or arms; 2) Loud hailer (megaphone); 3) Morse signalling lamp; 4) Sound signals.

• L (Lima)
  In harbour: "The ship is quarantined."
  At sea: "You should stop your vessel instantly."
  With four numerals, latitude. (The first two denote degrees and the rest minutes.)

• 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 harbour: 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."
  With one or more numerals, distance (range) in nautical miles.

• S (Sierra)
  "I am operating astern propulsion."
  With one or more numerals, speed in knots.

• T (Tango)
  "Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling."
  With four numerals, local time. (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.)

• U (Uniform)
  "You are running into danger."

• V (Victor)
  "I require assistance."
  With one or more numerals, speed in kilometres per hour.

• 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."
  When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am shooting nets."
  With one or more numerals, time (UTC). (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.)

Notes