Letter/phonetic name
Flag
ICS meaning as single flag
When used with numeric complements
A – Alpha
“I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”
Azimuth or bearing
B – Bravo
“I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods.”
C – Charlie
“Yes or Affirmative.”
Course in degrees magnetic
D – Delta
“Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvering with difficulty.”
Date
E – Echo
“I am altering my course to starboard.”
F – Foxtrot
“I am disabled; communicate with me.”
G – Golf
“I require a pilot.”
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: “I am hauling nets.”
Longitude (The first 2 or 3 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)
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.”
or
“I am leaking dangerous cargo.”
K – Kilo
“I wish to communicate with you.”
“I wish to communicate with you by…”:
1) Morse signaling by hand-flags or arms;
2) Loud hailer (megaphone);
3) Morse signaling lamp;
4) Sound signals.
L – Lima
“You should stop your vessel instantly.”
Latitude (the first 2 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)
M – Mike
“My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.”
N – November
“Negative.”
O – Oscar
“Man overboard.” (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).
With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag.
P – Papa
The blue Peter.
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
“My vessel is ‘healthy’ and I request free pratique.”
R – Romeo
No ICS meaning as single flag.
Prior to 1969: “The way is off my ship; you may feel your way past me.”
Distance (range) in nautical miles.
S – Sierra
“I am operating astern propulsion.”
Speed (velocity) in knots
T – Tango
“Keep clear of me.”
Fishing boats: “Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.”
Local time. (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.)
U – Uniform
“You are running into danger.”
V – Victor
“I require assistance.”
Speed in kilometres per hour.
W – Whiskey
“I require medical assistance.”
X – Xray
“Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.”
Y – Yankee
“I am dragging my anchor.”
Z – Zulu
