Code Flags

International

CODE FLAGS

With their meanings and phonetic names.

Alphabet
Two-Flag Signals
Three-Flag Signals

A – Alpha	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	Yes (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. When made by fishing vessels in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am hauling nets.”
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, stay clear.
K – Kilo	I wish to communicate with you.
L – Lima	You should stop your vessel immediately.
M – Mike	My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N – November	No (negative).
O – Oscar	Man overboard.
P – Papa	In harbor,—all persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea,—May be used by fishermen to mean: “My nets have come fast on an obstruction.” It may also be used as a sound to mean: “I require a pilot.”
Q – Quebec	My vessel is healthy and I request free practique (clearance).
R – Romeo
S – Sierra	I am operating astern propulsion.
T – Tango	Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
U – Uniform	You are running into danger.
V – Victor	I require 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.

AC – I am abandoning my vessel.	PP – Keep well clear of me.
AN – I need a doctor.	QD – I am going ahead.
BR – I require a helicopter.	QT – You should not anchor. You are going to foul my anchor.
CD – I require assistance in the nature of…	QT – You should not anchor. You are going to foul my anchor.
DV – I am drifting.	QU – Anchoring is prohibited.
EF – SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled.	QX – I request permission to anchor.
FA – Will you give me my position?	RU – Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
GW – Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up.	SO – You should stop your vessel instantly.
JL – You are running the risk of going aground.	UM – The harbor is closed to traffic.
NC – I am in distress	UP – Permission to enter harbor is urgently requested. I have an emergency.
LO – I am not in my correct position; used by a light vessel.	YU – I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals.
NC – I am in distress and require immediate assistance.	ZL – Your signal has been received but not understood.
PD – Your navigation lights are not visible.

ZD1 – Please report me to the Coast Guard, New York	ZD2 – Please report me to Lloyds, London.
One pennant means a small craft warning with winds to up to 38 mph	One flag means storm or whole gale warning, with winds from 55 to 73 mph.
Two pennants is a gale warning with winds from 39 to 54 mph.	Two flags indicate a hurricane warning with winds 74 mph. and higher.