International maritime signal flags#Letter flags (with ICS meaning)

{{Short description|Flag used to communicate something about the ship flying it from a distance}}

File:Signalflagga - Gladan-Falken - Ystad-2015.jpg with their signal flags.]]

International maritime signal flags are various flags used to communicate with ships. The principal system of flags and associated codes is the International Code of Signals.{{citation

| year = 2005

| title = International Code of Signals, 2005 ed. (IMO IA994E)

| publisher = IMO – International Maritime Organization

| isbn = 978-92-801-4198-6

}};{{citation

|ref = CITEREFICS1969

|year = 1969

|title = International Code of Signals for Visual, Sound, and Radio Communications, United States Edition, 1969 (Revised 2003)

|url = http://www.seasources.net/PDF/PUB102.pdf

|url-status = live

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150320145733/http://www.seasources.net/PDF/PUB102.pdf

|archivedate = 2015-03-20

}}. Various navies have flag systems with additional flags and codes, and other flags are used in special uses, or have historical significance.[http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/sigflgs.html United States Power Squadrons Flag and Etiquette Committee Signal Flags] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104225237/http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/sigflgs.html |date=2013-11-04 }}

Usage

There are various methods by which the flags can be used as signals:

A series of flags can spell out a message, each flag representing a letter.
Individual flags have specific and standard meanings;AB Nordbok. "The Lore of Ships", page 138. New York: Crescent Books, 1975. {{ISBN|9789174420050}} for example, diving support vessels raise the "A" (alfa) flag indicating their inability to move from their current location because they have a diver underwater and to warn other vessels to keep clear to avoid endangering the diver(s) with their propellers.
One or more flags form a code word whose meaning can be looked up in a code book held by both parties. An example is the Popham numeric code used at the Battle of Trafalgar.
In yacht racing and dinghy racing, flags have other meanings; for example, the P (Papa) flag is used as the "preparatory" flag to indicate an imminent start, and the S (Sierra) flag means "shortened course" (for more details see Race signals).

File:Nautical signal flags - USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).jpg

NATO uses the same flags, with a few unique to warships, alone or in short sets to communicate various unclassified messages. The NATO usage generally differs from the international meanings, and therefore warships will fly the Code/answer flag above the signal to indicate it should be read using the international meaning.

During the Allied occupations of Axis countries after World War II, use and display of those nations' national flags was banned.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} In order to comply with the international legal requirement that a ship identify its registry by displaying the appropriate national ensign, swallow-tailed versions of the C, D, and E signal flags were designated as, respectively, provisional German, Okinawan, and Japanese civil ensigns. Being swallowtails, they are commonly referred to as the "C-pennant" (German: C-Doppelstander), "D-pennant", and "E-pennant".{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

== Letter flags (with ICS meaning) ==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+Letter flags and ICS meanings
scope="col"\| Letter / radio name !scope="col"\| Flag !scope="col"\| Blazon !scope="col"\| ICS meaning as single flag !scope="col"\| Meaning when used with numeric complements
scope="row" id="A"\| A Alfa \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Alpha.svg \| Swallowtailed, per pale argent and azure \| "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed." \| Azimuth or bearing
scope="row" id="B"\| B Bravo \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Bravo.svg \| Swallowtailed, gules \| "I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.) \|
scope="row" id="C"\| C Charlie \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Charlie.svg \| Azure, a fess gules fimbriated argent \| "Affirmative."November and Charlie together ("NC" / "no" and "yes") is used as a distress signal.Also signallable on a ship's whistle using Morse code. See International Code of Signals. \| Magnetic bearing
scope="row" id="D"\| D Delta \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Delta.svg \| Or, a Spanish fess azure \| "Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty." \| Date
scope="row" id="E"\| E Echo \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Echo.svg \| Per fess azure and gules \| "I am altering my course to starboard." \|
scope="row" id="F"\| F Foxtrot \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Foxtrot.svg \| Argent, a lozenge throughout gules \| "I am disabled; communicate with me."Historically, in a CAM ship during World War II, Foxtrot was used to warn about launching the interceptor aircraft from the deck catapult. \|
scope="row" id="G"\| G Golf \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Golf.svg \| Paly of six or and azure \| "I require a pilot."{{Clear}}By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am hauling nets." \| Longitude (The first 2 or 3 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)
scope="row" id="H"\| H Hotel \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Hotel.svg \| Per pale argent and gules \| "I have a pilot on board." \|
scope="row" id="I"\| I India \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS India.svg \| Or, a pellet \| "I am altering my course to port." \|
scope="row" id="J"\| J Juliett \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Juliett.svg \| Azure, a fess argent \| "I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me."{{Clear}}or{{Clear}}"I am leaking dangerous cargo." \|
scope="row" id="K"\| K Kilo \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Kilo.svg \| Per pale or and azure \| "I wish to communicate with you." \| "I wish to communicate with you by...":{{Clear}}1) Semaphore signaling by hand-flags or arms; {{Clear}}2) Loud hailer (megaphone);{{Clear}}3) Morse signaling lamp;{{Clear}}4) Sound signals.
scope="row" id="L"\| L Lima \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Lima.svg \| Quarterly or and sable \|"Stop immediately." \| Latitude (the first 2 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)
scope="row" id="M"\| M Mike \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Mike.svg \| Azure, a saltire argent \| "My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water." \|
scope="row" id="N"\| N November \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS November.svg \| Chequy of sixteen azure and argent \| "Negative." \|
scope="row" id="O"\| O Oscar \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Oscar.svg \| Per bend gules and or \| "Man overboard." (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).{{Clear}}With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag. \|
scope="row" id="P"\| P Papa \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Papa.svg \| Azure, an inescutcheon argent \| The blue Peter.{{Clear}}In harbour: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.{{Clear}}At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction." \|
scope="row" id="Q"\| Q Quebec \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Quebec.svg \| Or \| "My vessel is 'healthy' and I request free pratique." \|
scope="row" id="R"\| R Romeo \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Romeo.svg \| Gules, a cross or \| {{n/a\|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.
scope="row" id="S"\| S Sierra \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Sierra.svg \| Argent, an inescutcheon azure \| "I am operating astern propulsion." \| Speed (velocity) in knots
scope="row" id="T"\| T Tango \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Tango.svg \| Tierced in pale gules, argent and azure \| "Keep clear of me."{{Clear}}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.)
scope="row" id="U"\| U Uniform \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Uniform.svg \| Quarterly gules and argent \| "You are running into danger."In Japan, the "U" (Uniform) flag is now also used to indicate a tsunami warning, although the ICS recommends the flag combination "ND" (November + Delta) for such a warning. \|
scope="row" id="V"\| V Victor \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Victor.svg \| Argent, a saltire gules \| "I require assistance." \| Velocity in kilometres per hour.
scope="row" id="W"\| W Whiskey \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Whiskey.svg \| Azure, an inescutcheon gules fimbriated argent \| "I require medical assistance." \|
scope="row" id="X"\| X Xray \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS X-ray.svg \| Argent, a cross azure \| "Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals." \|
scope="row" id="Y"\| Y Yankee \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Yankee.svg \| Bendy sinister of ten or and gules \| "I am dragging my anchor." \|
scope="row" id="Z"\| Z Zulu \| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Zulu.svg \| Per saltire or, sable, gules and azure \| "I require a tug."{{Clear}}By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am shooting nets."The Z (Zulu) flag was also famously hoisted by Admiral Heihachiro Togo at the 1905 Battle of Tsushima as the Japanese fleet prepared to engage the Russian fleet. In Japanese coding at the time, the flag meant, "The fate of the Empire rests on the outcome of this battle. Let each man do his utmost." (「皇國ノ興廢此ノ一戰ニ在リ、各員一層奮勵努力セヨ」) \| Time (UTC). (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.)

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+Letter flags and ICS meanings

scope="col"| Letter /
radio
name

!scope="col"| Flag

!scope="col"| Blazon

!scope="col"| ICS meaning as single flag

!scope="col"| Meaning when used with numeric complements

scope="row" id="A"| A
Alfa

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Alpha.svg

| Swallowtailed, per pale argent and azure

| "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed."

| Azimuth or bearing

scope="row" id="B"| B
Bravo

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Bravo.svg

| Swallowtailed, gules

| "I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.)

scope="row" id="C"| C
Charlie

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Charlie.svg

| Azure, a fess gules fimbriated argent

| "Affirmative."November and Charlie together ("NC" / "no" and "yes") is used as a distress signal.Also signallable on a ship's whistle using Morse code. See International Code of Signals.

| Magnetic bearing

scope="row" id="D"| D
Delta

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Delta.svg

| Or, a Spanish fess azure

| "Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty."

| Date

scope="row" id="E"| E
Echo

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Echo.svg

| Per fess azure and gules

| "I am altering my course to starboard."

scope="row" id="F"| F
Foxtrot

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Foxtrot.svg

| Argent, a lozenge throughout gules

| "I am disabled; communicate with me."Historically, in a CAM ship during World War II, Foxtrot was used to warn about launching the interceptor aircraft from the deck catapult.

scope="row" id="G"| G
Golf

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Golf.svg

| Paly of six or and azure

| "I require a pilot."{{Clear}}By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am hauling nets."

| Longitude (The first 2 or 3 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)

scope="row" id="H"| H
Hotel

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Hotel.svg

| Per pale argent and gules

| "I have a pilot on board."

scope="row" id="I"| I
India

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS India.svg

| Or, a pellet

| "I am altering my course to port."

scope="row" id="J"| J
Juliett

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Juliett.svg

| Azure, a fess argent

| "I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me."{{Clear}}or{{Clear}}"I am leaking dangerous cargo."

scope="row" id="K"| K
Kilo

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Kilo.svg

| Per pale or and azure

| "I wish to communicate with you."

| "I wish to communicate with you by...":{{Clear}}1) Semaphore signaling by hand-flags or arms; {{Clear}}2) Loud hailer (megaphone);{{Clear}}3) Morse signaling lamp;{{Clear}}4) Sound signals.

scope="row" id="L"| L
Lima

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Lima.svg

| Quarterly or and sable

|"Stop immediately."

| Latitude (the first 2 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)

scope="row" id="M"| M
Mike

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Mike.svg

| Azure, a saltire argent

| "My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water."

scope="row" id="N"| N
November

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS November.svg

| Chequy of sixteen azure and argent

| "Negative."

scope="row" id="O"| O
Oscar

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Oscar.svg

| Per bend gules and or

| "Man overboard." (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).{{Clear}}With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag.

scope="row" id="P"| P
Papa

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Papa.svg

| Azure, an inescutcheon argent

| The blue Peter.{{Clear}}In harbour: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.{{Clear}}At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction."

scope="row" id="Q"| Q
Quebec

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Quebec.svg

| Or

| "My vessel is 'healthy' and I request free pratique."

scope="row" id="R"| R
Romeo

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Romeo.svg

| Gules, a cross or

| {{n/a|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.

scope="row" id="S"| S
Sierra

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Sierra.svg

| Argent, an inescutcheon azure

| "I am operating astern propulsion."

| Speed (velocity) in knots

scope="row" id="T"| T
Tango

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Tango.svg

| Tierced in pale gules, argent and azure

| "Keep clear of me."{{Clear}}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.)

scope="row" id="U"| U
Uniform

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Uniform.svg

| Quarterly gules and argent

| "You are running into danger."In Japan, the "U" (Uniform) flag is now also used to indicate a tsunami warning, although the ICS recommends the flag combination "ND" (November + Delta) for such a warning.

scope="row" id="V"| V
Victor

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Victor.svg

| Argent, a saltire gules

| "I require assistance."

| Velocity in kilometres per hour.

scope="row" id="W"| W
Whiskey

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Whiskey.svg

| Azure, an inescutcheon gules fimbriated argent

| "I require medical assistance."

scope="row" id="X"| X
Xray

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS X-ray.svg

| Argent, a cross azure

| "Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals."

scope="row" id="Y"| Y
Yankee

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Yankee.svg

| Bendy sinister of ten or and gules

| "I am dragging my anchor."

scope="row" id="Z"| Z
Zulu

| style="background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Zulu.svg

| Per saltire or, sable, gules and azure

| "I require a tug."{{Clear}}By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am shooting nets."The Z (Zulu) flag was also famously hoisted by Admiral Heihachiro Togo at the 1905 Battle of Tsushima as the Japanese fleet prepared to engage the Russian fleet. In Japanese coding at the time, the flag meant, "The fate of the Empire rests on the outcome of this battle. Let each man do his utmost." (「皇國ノ興廢此ノ一戰ニ在リ、各員一層奮勵努力セヨ」)

| Time (UTC). (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.)

Notes

Number flags

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" \|+NATO number flags
scope="col"\| Number !scope="col"\| NATO flag !scope="col"\| ICS flag !scope="col"\| Blazons
scope="row"\| 0 Zero \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Zero.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Zero.svg \| NATO: Argent, five crosses hummetty azure in saltire ICS: Or, a pale gules
scope="row"\| 1 One \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS One.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant One.svg \| NATO: Gules, a fess or ICS: Argent, a torteau
scope="row"\| 2 Two \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Two.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Two.svg \| NATO: Or, a fess gules ICS: Azure, a plate
scope="row"\| 3 Three \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Three.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Three.svg \| NATO: Azure, a fess gules ICS: Tierced in pale gules, argent and azure
scope="row"\| 4 Four \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Four.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Four.svg \| NATO: Gules, a saltire argent ICS: Gules, a cross of Saint Philip argent
scope="row"\| 5 Five \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Five.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Five.svg \| NATO: Or, a saltire azure ICS: Per pale or and azure
scope="row"\| 6 Six \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Six.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Six.svg \| NATO: Bendy sinister of seven argent and azure ICS: Per fess sable and argent
scope="row"\| 7 Seven \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Seven.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Seven.svg \| NATO: Gules, a pale argent ICS: Per fess or and gules
scope="row"\| 8 Eight \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Eight.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Eight.svg \| NATO: Or, a pale azure ICS: Argent, a cross of Saint Philip gules
scope="row"\| 9 Niner \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Niner.svg \| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" \| File:ICS Pennant Niner.svg \| NATO: Azure, a pale argent ICS: Quarterly argent, sable, gules and or
./½ Point/One Half \| style="text-align: center;" \| \| style="text-align: center;" \|thumb \|ICS: Paleways of five pieces, gules and argent

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

|+NATO number flags

scope="col"| Number

!scope="col"| NATO flag

!scope="col"| ICS flag

!scope="col"| Blazons

scope="row"| 0
Zero

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Zero.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Zero.svg

| NATO: Argent, five crosses hummetty azure in saltire
ICS: Or, a pale gules

scope="row"| 1
One

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS One.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant One.svg

| NATO: Gules, a fess or
ICS: Argent, a torteau

scope="row"| 2
Two

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Two.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Two.svg

| NATO: Or, a fess gules
ICS: Azure, a plate

scope="row"| 3
Three

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Three.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Three.svg

| NATO: Azure, a fess gules
ICS: Tierced in pale gules, argent and azure

scope="row"| 4
Four

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Four.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Four.svg

| NATO: Gules, a saltire argent
ICS: Gules, a cross of Saint Philip argent

scope="row"| 5
Five

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Five.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Five.svg

| NATO: Or, a saltire azure
ICS: Per pale or and azure

scope="row"| 6
Six

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Six.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Six.svg

| NATO: Bendy sinister of seven argent and azure
ICS: Per fess sable and argent

scope="row"| 7
Seven

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Seven.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Seven.svg

| NATO: Gules, a pale argent
ICS: Per fess or and gules

scope="row"| 8
Eight

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Eight.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Eight.svg

| NATO: Or, a pale azure
ICS: Argent, a cross of Saint Philip gules

scope="row"| 9
Niner

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Niner.svg

| style="text-align: center; background-color: #c8d0d4; padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;" | File:ICS Pennant Niner.svg

| NATO: Azure, a pale argent
ICS: Quarterly argent, sable, gules and or

./½

Point/One Half

| style="text-align: center;" |

| style="text-align: center;" |thumb

|ICS: Paleways of five pieces, gules and argent

Substitute

Substitute or repeater flags allow messages with duplicate characters to be signaled without the need for multiple sets of flags.

The four NATO substitute flags are as follows:

class="wikitable"
\| File:ICS Repeat One.svg	File:ICS Repeat Two.svg	File:ICS Repeat Three.svg	File:ICS Repeat Four.svg
\| First substitute	Second substitute	Third substitute	Fourth substitute
Blazon \|Triangular, Or, a bordure azure which does not touch the dexter end \|Triangular, per pale azure and argent \|Triangular, argent, a fess sable \|Triangular, gules, a square Or in the fess position touching the dexter end

The International Code of Signals includes only the first three of these substitute flags. To illustrate their use, here are some messages and the way they would be encoded:

References

External links

[https://books.google.com/books?id=PyEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=motor+gun+boat&pg=PA102 "How Ships Talk With Flags", October 1944, Popular Science]
[http://www.quadibloc.com/other/flaint.htm John Savard's flag page.] Collection of different flag systems.
[http://flags.daleys.us Freeware to aid memorizing the flags]
[http://lingvo.org/flagoj/ La flag-alfabeto] - signal flags used for the Esperanto language - the flags for the Esperanto letters with diacritical marks have the lighter color in the normal flag replaced with light green, which is not used in any normal flag.

Category:International flags

Category:Latin-script representations

Category:Maritime flags

Category:Maritime signalling

Category:Nonverbal communication

Category:Optical communications

Category:Signal flags

class="wikitable"
"N"	File:ICS November.svg
"O"	File:ICS Oscar.svg
"NO"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg
"NON"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg	File:ICS Repeat One.svg
"NOO"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg	File:ICS Repeat Two.svg
"NOON"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg	File:ICS Repeat Two.svg	File:ICS Repeat One.svg
"NONO"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg	File:ICS Repeat One.svg	File:ICS Repeat Two.svg
"NONON"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg	File:ICS Repeat One.svg	File:ICS Repeat Two.svg	File:ICS Repeat Three.svg
"NONNN"	File:ICS November.svg	File:ICS Oscar.svg	File:ICS Repeat One.svg	File:ICS Repeat Three.svg	File:ICS Repeat Four.svg