International Maritime Signals

International Maritime SignalsLetter Flags & Numeral Pennants + Nautical Meaning + Morse Code

Signaling at sea: the International Code of Signals (ICS) is under the management of the United Nations Maritime Organization (UNMO). Each major seafaring country still publishes the ICS for

use of its mariners. The flags listed below are international signals used by ships at sea. They can be used to spellout

messages, or used individually or in combination for special meanings. Strung end to end and hung bow to stern from the rigging they are used to dress the vessel for

ceremonial and festive events.

Flag  Name  Nautical Meaning  Morse 

Alfa Diver Down; Keep Clear 

Bravo  Dangerous Cargo 

Charlie  Yes 

Delta  Keep Clear 

Echo  Altering Course to Starboard 

Foxtrot  Disabled 

Golf  Want a Pilot 

Hotel  Pilot on Board 

India  Altering Course to Port 

Juliett  On Fire; Keep Clear 

Kilo  Desire to Communicate 

Lima Stop Instantly 

Mike  I Am Stopped 

November  No 

Oscar  Man Overboard 

Papa  About to Sail 

Quebec  Request Pratique 

Romeo   

Sierra  Engines Going Astern 

Tango  Keep Clear of Me 

Uniform  Standing into Danger 

Victor  Require Assistance 

Whiskey  Require Medical Assistance 

X-ray  Stop Your Intention 

Yankee  Am Dragging Anchor 

Zulu  Require a Tug 

1st Repeat  Repeat First Flag   

2nd Repeat  Repeat Second Flag   

3rd Repeat  Repeat Third Flag   

Code  End of Message / Decimal 

Zero   

One   

Two   

Three   

Four   

Five   

Six   

Seven   

Eight   

Niner