So you are new to boating, and curious as to the meaning behind boat signals, here\u2019s some nautical flags know-how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Shapes and types are important.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nautical flags mostly take the forms of squares, though you\u2019ll also see pendants, which are triangular with a flat tip. You\u2019ll additionally see what\u2019s called substitutes (alternately called repeaters), which are triangles. Since this is a \u201cflags 101\u201d article, we\u2019ll focus on the squares and pendants. They\u2019re the ones you\u2019re more likely to see in common boating situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Learn the letters and numbers.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are 26 square nautical flags, each representing a different letter of the alphabet. Each represents the international code word connected to the letters of the alphabet, such as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and so on. There are also 10 pendants for the numbers zero through nine. For the numbers 10 and larger, a boat would combine flags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Colors are by choice.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The only colors you\u2019ll find on nautical flags are black, blue, red, yellow, and white. These colors stand out quite well when seen with your own eyes on the horizon or through binoculars. Flags can be a solid color or a combination of colors, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Solo or combined, nautical flags convey meaning.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the intended message, boats fly one flag or up to seven flags in a row.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• For example, if you see the A (Alpha) flag<\/strong>, this means \u201cdiver down, keep clear.\u201d<\/li>
• If you see the W (Whiskey) flag<\/strong>, the boat has a medical emergency and needs help.<\/li>
• The combination of the D (Delta) and V (Victor) flags<\/strong>, meanwhile, means \u201cI\u2019m maneuvering with difficulty and require assistance.\u201d<\/li>
• The J (Juliet) and L (Lima) flags<\/strong> mean \u201cyou\u2019re running the risk of going aground.\u201d<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  In fact, signals with two nautical flags typically mean some type of distress or maneuvering issue. Three or more flags can include pendants and denote things like points of the compass, geographical signals, names of ships, time and position, as well as latitude and longitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  5. Flags are sometimes exclusive or secret language.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  While boaters around the world use nautical flags to communicate common scenarios, particular situations call for their own language. Race committees combine flags to convey a race is four minutes from start, for example, or that a course has been shortened. The U.S. Navy groups together signals in ways known only to its personnel to communicate with its fellow ships.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  So you are new to boating, and curious as to the meaning behind boat signals, here\u2019s some nautical flags know-how. 1. Shapes and types are important. Nautical flags mostly take the forms of squares, though you\u2019ll also see pendants, which are triangular with a flat tip. You\u2019ll additionally see what\u2019s called substitutes (alternately called repeaters), which are triangles. Since this is a \u201cflags 101\u201d article, we\u2019ll focus on the squares and pendants. They\u2019re the ones […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n