How to Use Nautical Flags
Nautical flags, also known as signal flags, are used at sea to convey messages over long distances. Only black, blue, red, white and yellow are used because these are the only colors that can be readily distinguished at sea. Many different coding schemes have been used but the International Code is the most common. The following steps will show how to use nautical flags to transmit International Code.
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
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1
Learn the square flags. These may be used for letters and there are 26 of them, one for each letter of the English alphabet. Note that the flags used for A and B have a triangular notch on the right side.
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Memorize the pendants. There are 10 numerical pendants, one for each number. One answering pendant and three repeating pendants are used.
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3
Combine these flags to transmit any message in any language that uses the English alphabet.
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4
Employ the square flags for signals instead of letters in International Code. This type of message can be understood by a sailor of any country but must be maritime-related.
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Use one-flag signals to transmit common or urgent messages. Two-flag signals convey mostly distress and maneuvering messages. Three-flag signals provide compass bearings, times, verbs, punctuation and general codes and decodes. Four-flag signals are mostly geographical references, ship names and bearings. Five-flag signals relate to time and position. Six-flag signals indicate direction in latitude and longitude. Seven-flag signals are used in longitudes greater than 100 degrees.
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