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Flags. Semaphore, Radio Speak, and Morse Code Brief Guide

A Seadolby Reference Page



A one page quick guide to maritime semaphore, morse code, radio speak and the flags as found and used today and yesterday within the merchant navy and shipping industry. There is so much more to each system/code but I present here only the bare bones, as a quick reference or introduction only. Use and enjoy but for greater accuracy I suggest that other sources are found.



FLAG
SYMBOL
RADIO LINGO
MORSE CODE
SEMAPHORE SIGNAL FLAG

A

Alpha

. -

LH down RH low

Diver below/I am undergoing speed trials

B

Bravo

-...

LH down; RH out

I am loading/discharging explosives

C

Charlie

-.-.

LH down; RH high

Affirmative

D

Delta

-..

LH down; RH up or LH up; RH down

Keep Clear/I am manouvering with difficulty

E

Echo

.

LH high; RH down

I am altering course to Starboard

F

Foxtrot

..-.

LH out; RH down

I am disabled, communicate with me

G

Golf

--.

LH low; RH down

I require a Pilot

H

Hotel

....

LH across low; RH out

I have a Pilot onboard

I

India

..

LH across low; RH up

I am altering course to Port

J

Juliet

.---

LH out ; RH up

I am going to send a message by Semaphore

K

Kilo

-.-

LH up; RH low

Stop your vessel immediately

L

Lima

.-..

LH high; RH low

Stop immediately, I need to communicate

M

Mike

--

LH out; RH low

I have a Doctor nnboard

N

November

-.

LH low; RH low

Negative

O

Oscar

---

LH across high; RH out

Man Overboard

P

Papa

.--.

LH up; RH out

Vessel about to depart/your lights are out

Q

Quebec

--.-

LH high; RH out

My vessel is healthy

R

Romeo

.-.

LH out; RH out

My way is off, You may pass me slowly

S

Sierra

...

LH low; RH out

My engines are full astern

T

Tango

-

LH up; RH high

Do not pass ahead of me

U

Uniform

..-

LH high; RH high

You are standing into danger

V

Victor

...-

LH low; RH up

I require assistance

W

Whisky

.--

LH out; RH across high

I require medical assistance

X

X-ray

-..-

LH low; RH across high

Stop your movements and watch for my signals

Y

Yankee

-.--

LH out; RH high

I carry mail

Z

Zulu

--..

LH out; RH across low

To call or address shore stations

0

-----

LH up; RH low

1

.----

LH down RH low

2

..---

LH down; RH out

3

...--

LH down; RH hig

4

....-

LH down; RH up - or LH up; RH down

5

.....

LH high; RH down

6

-....

LH out; RH down

7

--...

LH low; RH down

8

---..

LH across low; RH out

9

----.

LH across low; RH up

Full Stop

.-.-.-

Comma

--..--

Query

..--..

Numerical Sign

LH high; RH up

Annul Sign

LH low; RH high

Error

LH and RH raised and lowered together

Alphabet

LH out ; RH up

Answer
Substitute 1
Substitute 2
Substitute 3
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