A, Alpha
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
B, Bravo
I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
C, Charlie
Yes (affirmative or The Significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative).
D, Delta
Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
E, Echo
I am altering my course to starboard.
F, Foxtrot
I am dabbled; communicate with me.
G, 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
I have a pilot on board.
I, India
I am altering my course to port.
J, Juliett
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me.
K, Kilo
I wish to communicate with you.
L, Lima
You should stop your vessel instantly.
M, Mike
My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N, November
No (Negative or The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative). This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be NO
P, Papa
In harbor. - 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
My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique.
S, Sierra
My engines are going astern.
T, Tango
Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
U, Uniform
You are running into danger.
V, Victor
I require assistance.
W, Whiskey
I require medical assistance.
X, X-ray
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Y, Yankee
I am dragging my anchor.
Z, Zulu
I require a tug.
When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: I am shooting nets.
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Pirken-hammer porcelain plates
19, 24, 26, 30 cm
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History
by Christopher Huck
Using flags for conveying particular messages is an old idea. On the battlefield the raising and lowering of the principal’s flag is a signal easily seen in normal conditions and by prearranged code could be used to initiate, or suspend, troop movements. With fleets this is even more useful given the difficulty in communicating verbally at sea.
In the sixteenth century many ships in a battle fleet were privately owned. The captains though subject to the admirals orders fought individually. Signals to the fleet were often in the form of flags flown at the various mastheads, by firing cannons to draw attention to the flags or by groups of cannon shot to indicate a coded order. Flags were better signals than guns in a noisy battle.
It was not until the reorganization of the British navy in the Restoration period that a written code of flag signals was instituted. This was a simple formulation of the existing conventions of hoisting flags at various mastheads to execute simple orders. ‘The fleet will change tack’ or ‘(Part) of the fleet will attack the enemy’, are the types of signal possible under this system.
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