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Flags, Phonetic Alphabet and Morse Code

Sadly this is becoming a dying art but knowledge of flag meanings and Morse could help keep you out of danger or save your life. The phonetic alphabet is included as well as the most commonly used Racing Flags.

Single-letter signals may be made by any method of signaling. Those marked * when made by sound must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, Rules 34 and 35. Signals K and S have special meaning as landing signals for small boats with persons in distress. In the phonetic alphabet, the syllables to be emphasised are in italics.

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Single-letter Flags

	Phonetic Alphabet	Morse Code	Code Flag	Single-letter Signal
A	ALPHA pronounced AL FAH			I have a diver down. Keep clear
B	*BRAVO pronounced BRA VOH			I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous goods
C	*CHARLIE pronounced CHAR LEE			Yes (affirmative or 'The significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative')
D	*DELTA pronounced DELL TAH			Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficulty
E	*ECHO pronounced ECK OH			I am altering my course to starboard
F	FOXTROT pronounced FOKS TROT			I am disabled. Communicate with me
G	*GOLF pronounced GOLF			I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: I am hauling nets
H	*HOTEL pronounced HOH TELL			I have a pilot on board
I	*INDIA pronounced IN DEE AH			I am altering my course to port
J	JULIET pronounced JEW LEE ET			I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me
K	KILO pronounced KEY LOH			I wish to communicate with you
L	LIMA pronounced LEE MAH			You should stop your vessel instantly.
M	*MIKE pronounced MIKE			My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water
N	NOVEMBER pronounced NO VEM BER			No (negative or 'The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative'). This signal may only be given visually or by sound
O	OSCAR pronounced OSS CAH			Man overboard
P	PAPA pronounced PAH PAH			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 pronounced KEH BECK			My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique
R	ROMEO pronounced ROW ME OH			(no single letter meaning)
S	*SEIRRA pronounced SEE AIR RAH			I am operating astern propulsion. The significance of this signal is as likely to be "I am slowing down" as it is to be "I am about to gather sternway".
T	*TANGO pronounced TANG GO			Keep clear - I am engaged in pair trawling
U	UNIFORM pronounced YOU NEE FORM			You are running into danger
V	VICTOR pronounced VIK TAH			I require assistance
W	WHISKY pronounced WISS KEY			I require medical assistance
X	X-RAY pronounced ECKS RAY			Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
Y	YANKEE pronounced YANG KEY			I am dragging my anchor
Z	ZULU pronounced ZOO LOO			Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
1	pronounced WUN
2	pronounced TOO
3	pronounced TREE
4	pronounced FOWER
5	pronounced FIVE
6	pronounced SIX
7	pronounced SEVEN
8	pronounced AIT
9	pronounced NINER
0	pronounced ZERO
	First Substitute
	Second Substitute
	Third Substitute

Racing Flag Signals

At race meetings, instructions and information regarding the events are usually given by means of flags and pennants and sound signals. There is an internationally agreed system of code flags used at most race meetings with which you should familiarize yourself. The signals relate to rules applying to the meeting as a whole, starting procedures and instructions during the race. They are usually displayed from the starting box or start/committee boat, and a number of flags can be displayed simultaneously. You must listen for the sound signals which draw your attention to the changes in the flags. Remember though, it is when your class flag is lowered that your race begins, not when you hear the sound signal.

	Gate Start
	Bouyancy aids compulsory
	Come within hail
	One minute signal
	Preparatory
	General recall
	Race postponed
	Race postponed 15 minutes
	Race postponed 1 hour
	Race postponed 2 hours
	Race postponed to a later date
	Race abandoned
	Race abandoned - to be re-sailed shortly
	Race cancelled
	Mark missing
	Shortened course
	Protest - If an incident involving an infringement of the rules occurs and you are in the wrong, you should comply with the penalty set out in the sailing instructions. However, if you think you are in the right, you must protest to the other competitor and display the protest flag.

Information courtesy of GoSailing.com

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