Culture. Nurture. Tincture. Enrapture.

The International Flag Codes: Your doorway to the world

I don‘t know about you, but dreams of leaving everything behind and going out to explore the world are quite enticing to me. Down with obligations and consequences! Ok: of course I‘m joking… but not entirely. Seeking new horizons and getting into contact with new things is a great way to stimulate our minds and help us live a fulfilling life. Yet, such ventures require A LOT of preparation. One aspect of that preparation that is often forgotten is the importance of communication. We all have seen strangers visiting a place where they can barely communicate their intentions - clearly out of their depths. Some learn foreign languages for that exclusive reason. While it is a great idea, there is another approach that is much easier, accessible AND universal: the International Code of Signals. This Code, largely accepted around the world, provides ways to communicate when safety and navigation are in question. The Code is very common in maritime transport. In that way, it is a great idea to know some aspects of it if you are planning solo overseas travel. The Code is also used in all other sorts of transportation industries and radiotelegraphy. In any case, it provides a simple, effective and language-independent means of communication. So a worthwhile teach for almost anyone. Let me get you through things you should know about it in just a few minutes to get you started.

All in the S.O.S.

At its core, the International Code of Signals is made of signals (duh) of 3 types:

      Single-letter signals with meanings that are the most common and/or urgent.
      More general two-letter signals.
      Three-letter signals beginning with “M” for medical use.

There is also the possibility to add a number after a code to complement or alter it. For example, “CP“ means “I am (or vessel indicated is) proceeding to your assistance.” while “CP 1“ specifies “SAR aircraft is coming to your assistance.”

For the signalling itself, you could use flags or Morse signals directly. I invite you to go take a look at the flags in the Code itself. Each flag is associated with a specific letter in the code. There are not that many and they should be easy to remember. For my part, I already know a good deal of Morse code, so that would be my preferred option. How do you use Morse code directly without electronic equipment? The official way proposed by the code is by using the movement of neutral flags. Here is how it works:

  • Putting both flags up means a Morse dot.
  • Putting both flags at arm's length vertically means a Morse dash.
  • Keeping both flags close to the chest denotes a separation between dots and dashes.
  • Putting both flags down indicates a separation between letters or words.
  • Finally, doing circular motions with both flags up is used either to erase the previous signal if you are the transmitter or to ask for repetition if you are the receiver.

You‘re getting my signal?

And now, let me show you what I think would be the most generally useful signals for your everyday man. Let‘s start with the basics.

To recognize communication:

  • K: “I wish to communicate with you” or “Invitation to transmit”.
  • R: “Received” or “I have received your last signal”.
  • RPT: Repeat signal. So, either “I repeat” or “Repeat what you have sent” or even “Repeat what you have received”.
  • AR: Ending signal or End of Transmission.
  • AS: Waiting signal (during a communication).

Then, it goes without saying that you need yes/no:

  • NO: Either the answer “no“ or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative”.
  • C: Either the answer “yes“ or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative”.

This signal is also very useful and critical to most protocol communications:

  • CE: “What is the name or identity signal of your vessel (or station)?”

And now, for the good part: signals you really need. Let‘s begin with common warning signals you could need:

  • D: Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
  • J: I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
  • L: You should stop your vessel instantly.
  • U: You are running into danger.

Let‘s add a few emergency signals:

  • F: I am disabled; communicate with me.
  • G: I require a pilot.
  • H: I have a pilot on board.
  • O: Man overboard.
  • V: I require assistance.
  • W: I require medical assistance.

And that‘s it! With less than 20 signals, you have what you need to get your way around countless situations. Feel free to take some time to practice them and I am sure that you will build confidence quickly. In any case, I am sure you will thank me later.

On that, see you next time.

References

International Code of Signals - As adopted by the Fourth Assembly of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization in 1965 For Visual, Sound, and Radio Communications, United States Edition, 1969 (Revised 2003).