Letter |
Flag |
Meaning |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
F Foxtrot |
 |
I am disabled; communicate with me. |
|
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 harbor: 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). |
|
P Papa |
 |
The Blue Peter. In harbor: 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 kilometers 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'.) |