A (Alfa) "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed." With three numerals, azimuth or bearing. | B (Bravo) "I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.) | C (Charlie) "Affirmative." * ** With three numerals, course in degrees magnetic. | D (Delta) "Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty." With two, four, or six numerals, date. |
E (Echo) "I am altering my course to starboard."** Crew at meals | F (Foxtrot) "I am disabled; communicate with me." (When flown from an aircraft carrier; "Warning; flight operations underway.") | 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." With four or five numerals, longitude. (The last two numerals denote minutes and the rest degrees.) | H (Hotel) "I have a pilot on board." |
I (India) "I am altering my course to port."** | J (Juliet) "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." With one numeral, "I wish to communicate with you by..."; 1) Morse signalling by hand-flags or arms; 2) Loud hailer (megaphone); 3) Morse signalling lamp; 4) Sound signals. | L (Lima) In harbour: "The ship is under Quarantine." At sea: "You should stop your vessel instantly." With four numerals, latitude. (The first two denote degrees and the rest 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) "The way is off my ship." With one or more numerals, distance in nautical miles. | S (Sierra) "I am operating astern propulsion." ** With one or more numerals, speed in knots. | T (Tango) "Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling." With four numerals, local time. (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.) |
U (Uniform) "You are running into danger." | V (Victor) "I require assistance." With one or more numerals, 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) "I require a tug." When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am shooting nets." With one or more numerals, time (UTC). (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.) (Origin of the phrase ' Zulu Time'.) This flag was also used by the Japanese navy as symbol that a critical battle would begin where "the fate of Imperial Japan hangs on this one battle; all hands will exert themselves and do their best", as used at the Battle of Tsushima and during the attack on Pearl Harbor. |
