INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNAL
The purpose of the International Code of Signal
is to provide ways and means of communication
in situations related essentially to safety of
navigation and persons, especially when
language difficulties arise.
The signals use consist of:
1. Single letter signals allocated to significations
which are very urgent, important, or of very
common
2. Two letter signals for the general section.
3. Three letter signals beginning with “M” for
the Medial section.
As a general rule, only one hoist should be
shown at a time. Each hoist or group of
hoist should be kept flying until it has been
answered by the receiving station.
When more than one group are shown on
the same halyard they must be separated
by a tackline.
HOW TO CALL
The identity signal station(s) addressed is to be
hoisted with the signal.
Ex.
YP LABC= “I Wish to communicate with vessel
LABC by….
If no identity signal is hoisted it will be understood
that the signal is addressed to all stations with in
visual distance.
HOW TO ANSWER SIGNALS
All stations to which signals are addressed
or which are indicated in signals are to hoist
the answering pendant at the dip as soon as
they see each hoist and close up
immediately they understand it; it is to be
lowered to the dip as soon as the hoist is
hauled down In the transmitting station,
being hoisted close up again as soon as the
next hoist is understood
HOW TO COMPLETE A SIGNAL
The transmitting station is to hoist the
answering pendant singly after the last hoist
of the signal to indicate that the signal is
completed. The receiving station is to
answer this in a similar manner to all other
hoists.
A - I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow
speed
•─
*C – Yes (affirmative or “The significance of the previous group
should be read in the affirmative”).
─•─•
B – I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
─•••
F – I am disabled; communicate with me.
•─••
*D – Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvering with difficulty.
─••
*E – I am altering my course to starboard.
•
*H – I have pilot on board.
••••
J – Keep well clear of me. I am on fire and have dangerous
cargo on board, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
•───
*G – I require a pilot.
When made by the fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing
grounds it means: “I am hauling nets.
•──
*I – I am altering my course to port.
••
L – You should stop your vessel instantly
•─••
K – I wish to communicate with you
─•─
M – my vessel is stopped and making no way through the water
──
N – No (negative or “the significance of the previous group should
be read in the negative”). This signal may be given only visually or
by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be
“NO”. •─
O – Man overboard
───
P – In harbour – all persons should report on board as the vessel
about to proceed to sea.
At sea – It may also be used as a sound signal to mean:
“I require a pilot”.
At sea – It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: “My nets have
Come to fast upon an obstruction”
•──•
Q – My vessel is “healthy” and I request free pratique.
─•──
•─•
*S – I am operating astern propulsion
•••
*T – Keep clear of me I am engaged in pair trawling
─
*Z – I require a tug.
When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on
the fishing grounds it means “I am shooting my nets”
• •──
U – You are running into danger
─••
V – I require assistance
─•••
Y – I am dragging my anchor.
─•──
W – I require medical assistance
•──
X – Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signal
─••─
4 ••••─
1
•────
3
•••──
2
••───
5 •••••
••••─
6
••───
8
•••── 7
0
─────
•──── 9
First substitute
Second substitute
Third substitute
Code and answering pendant
C:\WINDOWS\[Link]
Signals of letters marked * when made by sounds may
only be made in compliance with the requirements of
the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions
at Sea, 1972, Rules 34 and 35 accepting that sound
signals G and Z may continue to be used by fishing
vessels fishing in close proximity to other fishing
vessels.
Signals K and S have special meanings as landing signals for
small boats with crews or person in distress.
Rule 34 Manoeuvering and warning signals
one short blast – I am altering my course to starboard
Two short blast – I am altering my course to port
Three short blast – I am operating astern propulsion
Rule 35 – sound signals in restricted visibility
TACKLINE – is a length of halyard
about two meters long, used to
separate each group of flags.
A hoist consists of one or more
groups displayed from a single
halyard. A hoist or signal is said
to be at the dip when it is hoisted
about half of the full extent of the
halyard.
A hoist or signal is said
to be close up when it is
hoisted to the full extent
of the halyards
General section
[Link] – emergency
2. Casualties – damages
[Link] to navigation – navigation – hydrography
4. Manoeuvres
5. Miscellaneous – cargo,ballast crew –
personnon board
6. Meteorology – weather
7. Routeing of ships
8. Communications – Acknowledge – answer, etc.
9. International Health regulation – pratique
messages
DEFINITIONS
[Link] Signaling –
Is any method of communication, the trans
mission of which is capable of being seen.
2. Sound Signaling –
Is any method of passing Morse signals by
means of siren, whistle, fog horn, bell or other
sound apparatus.
3. Originator –
Is the authority who orders a signal to sent.
4. Identity signal –
Or call sign is the group of letters and figures
assigned to each station by its administration.
[Link] –
Means a ship, aircraft, survival craft or any
place at which communications can be
affected by any means.
6. Station of origin –
Is the station where the originator hands in a
signal for transmission, irrespective of he
method of communication employed.
7. Transmitting station –
Is the station by which a signal is actually
being made.
8. Addressee –
Is the authority to whom a signal is addressed.
9. Station destination –
Is the station in which the signal is finally
received by the addressee.
10. Receiving station –
Is the station by which a signal is actually
being read.
11. Procedure –
Denotes the rules drawn up for conduct of
signaling.
12. Procedure signal –
Is a signal designed to facilitate the conduct
of signaling.
13. Time of origin –
Is the time at which a signal is ordered to be
made.
14. Group –
Denotes more than one letter of numeral
which together compose a signal.
15. Numeral group –
Consists of one or ore numerals.
Single letter signals with complements
SIGNAL MEANING
1. “A” with three numerals Azimuth or
bearing
2. “C” with three numerals Course
3. “D” with two, four or Date
six numerals
4. “G” with four Longitude (the last two
numerals numerals denote minutes
and the rest degrees
5. “K” with one I wish to communicate with
numerals you by……
6. “L” with Latitude (the first two
four numeral denote degrees and the rest
minutes
7. “R” with one or Distance in nautical miles
more numerals
8. “S” with one or Speed in knots
more numerals
9. “T” with four Local time (the first two
numerals denote hours the rest minutes
10. “V” with one or Speed in kilometers per
more numerals hour
11. “Z” with one To call or address shore
numeral visual signal station (numeral
to be approved by local
authorities
12. “Z” with four UTC (the first two denote
numerals hours and the rest minutes
Azimuth or bearing 187°
COURSE
signification
DAY SIGNALS
Horizontal motion of a white flag or
of the arms extended horizontally.
Or firing of a red star signal
In general: Negative
Night signals
Specifically: slack away
- avast hauling
Horizontal motion of a white light of
flare.
Or firing of a red star signal
