-International Code Flags-
| Flag | Name & Phonetic Pronunciation |
Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 |
Alfa
AL-fah |
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed. |
 |
Bravo
BRAH-voh |
I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous cargo. |
 |
Charlie
CHAR-lee |
"Yes" or "affirmative".
Change of Course (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Delta
DELL-tah |
I am maneuvering with difficulty; keep clear. |
 |
Echo
ECK-oh |
I am directing my course to starboard. |
 |
Foxtrot
FOKS-trot |
I am disabled; communicate with me. On aircraft carriers: Flight Operations underway |
 |
Golf
GOLF |
I require a pilot. |
 |
Hotel
hoh-TELL |
I have a pilot on board. |
 |
India
IN-dee-ah |
I am directing my course to port. (International)
Coming alongside. (Navy) Round the Ends Starting Rule (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Juliet
JEW-lee-ett |
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo; keep clear. |
 |
Kilo
KEY-loh |
I wish to communicate with you. |
 |
Lima
LEE-mah |
You should stop your vessel immediately.
Come Within Hail or Follow Me (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Mike
MIKE |
My vessel is stopped; making no way.
Mark Missing (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
November
no-VEM-bur |
No or negative.
Abandonment and Re-sail (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Oscar
OSS-kur |
Man overboard. |
 |
Papa
pah-PAH |
All personnel return to ship; proceeding to sea (Inport). |
 |
Quebec
kay-BECK |
Ship meets health regs; request clearance into port. (International)
Boat recall; all boats return to ship. (Navy) |
 |
Romeo
ROH-me-oh |
None. (International)
Preparing to replenish (At sea). Ready duty ship (In port). (Navy) |
 |
Sierra
see-AIR-ah |
Moving astern. (International)
Conducting flag hoist drill. (Navy) Shorten Course (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Tango
TANG-go |
Keep clear; engaged in trawling. (International)
Do not pass ahead of me. (Navy) |
 |
Uniform
YOU-nee-form |
You are running into danger. |
 |
Victor
VIK-tah |
I require assistance. |
 |
Whiskey
WISS-kee |
I require medical assistance. |
 |
Xray
ECKS-ray |
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Individual Recall (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Yankee
YANG-kee |
I am dragging anchor. (International)
Ship has visual communications duty. (Navy) Wear Life Jackets (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Zulu
ZOO-loo |
I require a tug.
20% Scoring Penalty (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Code/Answer
Code or Answer |
Message is understood. Also, numeric decimal point. (International)
Flag that follows is from the International Code of Signals. (Navy) Postponement (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
First substitute (First Repeater) First sub |
Substitute for the first flag in this hoist. (International) Also "repeats" the first flag or series of flags in this hoist Absence of flag officer or unit commander (In port). (Navy) General Recall (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Second substitute
Second sub |
Substitute for the second flag in this hoist. (International)
Absence of chief of staff (In port). (Navy) |
 |
Third substitute
Third sub |
Substitute for the third flag in this hoist. (International)
Absence of commanding officer (In port). (Navy) |
 |
One
WUN |
None. (International)
Numeral one. (Navy) |
 |
Two
TOO |
None. (International)
Numeral two. (Navy) |
 |
Three
TREE |
None. (International)
Numeral three. (Navy) |
 |
Four
FOW-er |
None. (International)
Numeral four. (Navy) |
 |
Five
FIFE |
None. (International)
Numeral five. (Navy) |
 |
Six
SICKS |
None. (International)
Numeral six. (Navy) |
 |
Seven
SEV-en |
None. (International)
Numeral seven. (Navy) |
 |
Eight
ATE |
None. (International)
Numeral eight. (Navy) |
 |
Nine
NIN-er |
None. (International)
Numeral nine. (Navy) |
 |
Zero
ZEE-roh |
None. (International)
Numeral zero. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant one
PEN-ant WUN |
Numeral one. (International)
Pennant one. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant two
PEN-ant TOO |
Numeral two. (International)
Pennant two. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant three
PEN-ant TREE |
Numeral three. (International)
Pennant three. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant four
PEN-ant FOW-er |
Numeral four. (International)
Pennant four. (Navy) Postponement (Sailing Regatta) |
 |
Pennant five
PEN-ant FIFE |
Numeral five. (International)
Pennant five. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant six
PEN-ant SICKS |
Numeral six. (International)
Pennant six. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant seven
PEN-ant SEV-en |
Numeral seven. (International)
Pennant seven. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant eight
PEN-ant ATE |
Numeral eight (International)
Pennant eight. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant Nine
PEN-ant NIN-er |
Numeral nine (International)
Pennant nine. (Navy) |
 |
Pennant zero
PEN-ant ZEE-roh |
Numeral zero (International)
Pennant zero. (Navy) |
-Race Committee Flags-
| Flag/Shape | Name | Sounds | Meaning |
|
X | 1 when raised | Individual Recall |
|
First Substitute | 2 when raised 1 when lowered |
General Recall |
|
AP | 2 when raised 1 when lowered |
Postponement |
|
I | None when raised 1 when lowered |
Round the Ends Starting Rule |
|
C | Repetitive | Change of Course |
|
L | 1 when raised | Come Within Hail or Follow Me |
|
M | Repetitive | Mark Missing |
|
N | 3 when raised 1 when lowered |
Abandonment and Resail |
|
S | 2 when raised | Shorten Course |
|
Y | 1 when raised | Wear Life Jacket |
|
N over H | 3 when raised | Abandonment Return to Shore |
|
Z | 1 when lowered | 20% Scoring Penalty |
 |
Black | 1 when lowered | Hard Start: Disqualification |
| Class Flag Raised | Warning | 1 | 5 minutes to start |
|
|
Preparatory (or I or Z or Black Flag) Raised | 1 | 4 minutes to start |
|
Preparatory (or I or Z or Black Flag) Lowered | 1 | 1 minute to start |
| Class Flag Lowered | Start | 1 | Start |
Miscellaneous Flags
 Small Craft Warning Up to 38 mph winds |
Gale Warning 39-54 mph winds |
 Storm Warning 55-73 mph winds |
Hurricane Warning 74+ mph winds |
 USCG Auxilary |
 US Power Squadron |
 Race Committee |