Nautical flags are used for signaling between ships and land, with an internationally recognized code of signals. They are also used for dressing ships and come in bold block patterns and high color visibility. A set of 26 flags represents the Roman alphabet, numbers, response, and substitute flags. The flags contain abbreviated messages and codes for navigation and distress.
Nautical flags are specially designed flags in different colors that can be used for signaling from ship to ship or ship to land. In addition to an internationally recognized code of signals, many nations have their own specific nautical flags, but ships can communicate via the international code with ships of other nations. These communications are used to exchange information such as news, hazard information, or requests for assistance. Nautical flags are also known as signal flags, due to their use in signaling information.
In addition to being used for communications, nautical flags are also used to dress the ship on special occasions. Typically, the flags are hung in a pattern that spells out a message, for those who can read it. Some ships also use semaphore signaling for communications. Semaphores work very differently than nautical flags. At the semaphore, a message is spelled out with flags in certain positions relative to a human body.
To increase visibility, nautical flags are made in red, blue, yellow, black, or white, because these colors can be clearly seen and distinguished. Colors that can be confusing together, such as blue and black, will not appear on the same flag. Bold block patterns combined with high color visibility make nautical flags easily visible, even from a great distance.
A set of nautical flags includes 26 flags representing the 26 letters of the Roman alphabet, along with 10 numbers, a response flag, and three substitute or repeater flags. One flag can be used to signal an urgent or basic message, two flags communicate navigation or distress, three can indicate points on a compass along with basic and short words, and four are used to indicate a ship’s name, headings , or to point out information about geography. For time and position indicators, five flags are used, while six can indicate direction, latitude, and longitude. If the longitude is greater than 100 degrees, seven flags are used.
In addition to spelling out the letters of the alphabet, the 26 flags of the square alphabet also contain abbreviated messages. For example, the letter G/Golf hanging alone indicates the ship wants a pilot, while F/Foxtrot means the ship is disabled, and Z/Zulu means a tug is needed. The reply flag is used to indicate that a message was received or understood, and also as a decimal point, and the repeater flags are used as substitutes, asking the reader, for example, to read the third flag on the signal instead. from the repeater flag There are also a series of two-letter codes, such as PP, to keep away, and CD, which indicate the need for immediate assistance.
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