While person not acquainted with maritime activity might think the colorful flags are simply cosmetic and traditional, the Nautical Flags Alphabet actually helps represent an significant organization of communication between sailors when at ocean. Maritime signal flags – or external code flags – are used to signal brief messages either between two ships, or between ship and land. Each flag can be used individually or in combination with early flags for extra messages .
The organization includes 26 hearty flags which represent the letters of the alphabet, ten-spot numeral pennants, one answering pennant, and three substituters or repeaters. Red, blue, yellow, black, and white are the merely colors that can be readily discerned at sea. Further, the colors can lone be used in specific combinations in order to guarantee optimum clarity from a distance ; flags are either solid colored, or use the combinations of red and white, yellow and blue, blue and white, or black and white .
The numeral of flags used besides determines the nature of the message. The most pressing signals are sent via a single masthead, while straiten and manoeuver signals are most often communicated with a combination of two flags. General codes, such as points on the grok, relative bearings and standard times utilize three iris combinations ; names of ships, geographic information, clock and position and latitude/longitude bearings require the use of between four and seven flags.
Nautical Flags Alphabet :
a ( alpha ) = Diver Down ; Keep Clear
bel ( assassin ) = dangerous Cargo
coke ( charlie ) = Yes
d ( delta ) = Keep Clear
e ( echo ) = Altering Course to Starboard
fluorine ( fox-trot ) = Disabled 
gigabyte ( golf ) = Want a original
hydrogen ( hotel ) = Pilot on Board
one ( india ) = Altering Course to Port
joule ( juliet ) = On Fire ; Keep Clear
potassium ( kilogram ) = Desire to Communicate
fifty ( lima ) = Stop Instantly
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molarity ( microphone ) = I Am Stopped
normality ( november ) = No
oxygen ( academy award ) = Man Overboard
phosphorus ( dad ) = About to Sail
q ( quebec ) = I Request
s ( sierra ) = Engines Going Astern
t ( tango ) = Keep Clear of Me
uracil ( uniform ) = You are Standing into Danger
vanadium ( victor ) = Require aid
w ( whiskey ) = Require Medical Assistance
x ( roentgenogram ) = Stop Your purpose
yttrium ( yankee ) = Am Dragging Anchor
z ( zulu ) = Require a Tug
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These are the basic communications, there are many more standard messages when combinations of flags are utilized. The system has been adopted by virtually all oceangoing nations, and is the accept international protocol while on the water. Those planning on being on the capable sea should acquaint themselves with these meanings and keep a key available should they need to establish or receive communication with another ship .
Another authoritative component of being out on the urine is your sign and Glide membership. Never leave the dock without having a back up design – call Sign and Glide ( 877 ) 727-4543 – nowadays for more information on how you can be assured that you are covered in the consequence of an unexpected emergency .