Alphabet Flags
 A;
 B;
 C;
 D;
 E;
 F;
 G;
 H;
 I;
 J;
 K;
 L;
 M;
 N;
 O;
 P;
 Q;
 R;
 S;
 T;
 U;
 V;
 W;
 X;
 Y;
 Z;
Answering Pennant
Numeric Pennants
 0;
 1;
 2;
 3;
 4;
 5;
 6;
 7; 8;
 9;
Substitute Pennants
 substitute
1;
 substitute
2;
 substitute
3;
The first substitute repeats the upper flag or pennant of a hoist, the
second substitute repeats the second flag or pennant, and so on.
Meanings of International Maritime Signal Flags
 A
- Diver below (when stationary); I am undergoing a speed trial
 B
- I am taking on or discharging explosives
 C
- (affirmative)
 D
- keep clear of me, I am maneuvering with difficulty
 E
- I am altering my course to starboard
 F
- I am disabled, communicate with me
 G
- I require a pilot
 H
- I have a pilot on board
 I
- I am altering my course to port
 J
- I am going to send a message by semaphore
 K
- you should stop your vessel instantly
 L
- you should stop, I have something important to communicate
 M
- I have a doctor on board
 N
- no (negative)
 O
- man overboard
 P
- the Blue Peter - all aboard, vessel is about to proceed sea. (At sea) your
lights are out or burning badly
 Q
- my vessel is healthy and I request free practique
 R
- the way is off my ship. You may feel you way past me
 S
- my engines are going full speed astern
 T
- do not pass ahead of me
 U
- you are standing into danger
 V
- I require assistance (not distress)
 W
- I require medical assistance
 X
- stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
 Y
- I am carrying mails
 Z
- to be used to address or call shore stations
Answering Pennant
Code
and answering pennant.
Substitute Pennants
substitute
1;
substitute
2;
substitute
3;
Distress
distress
N
+ C - I am in distress
Semaphore Flag Signaling System
The Semaphore flag signaling system is an alphabet signaling system based
on the waving of a pair of hand-held flags in a particular pattern.
 The
flags are usually square, red and yellow, divided diagonally with the red
portion in the upper hoist.
The flags are held, arms extended, in various positions representing each
of the letters of the alphabet. The pattern resembles a clock face divided
into eight positions: up, down, out, high, low, for each of the left and
right hands (LH and RH) six letters require the hand to be brought across
the body so that both flags are on the same side.
 Flag
positions in Semaphore
One way to visualize the semaphore alphabet is in terms of circles:
first circle: A, B, C, D, E, F, G;
second circle: H, I, K, L, M, N (omitting J);
third circle: O, P, Q, R, S;
fourth circle: T, U, Y and 'annul';
fifth circle: 'numeric', J (or 'alphabetic'), V;
sixth circle: W, X;
seventh circle: Z
In the first circle, the letters A to C are made with the right arm, and
E to G with the left, and D with either as convenient. In the second circle,
the right arm is kept still at the letter A position and the left arm makes
the movements; similarly in the remaining circles, the right arm remains
fixed while the left arm moves. The arms are kept straight when changing
from one position to another.
For another flag communication system, see the
international maritime signal flags.
The Semaphore Alphabet
 A
and 1 (LH down RH low)
 B
and 2 (LH down; RH out)
 C
and 3 (LH down; RH high)
 D
and 4 (LH down; RH up - or LH up; RH down)
 E
and 5 (LH high; RH down)
 F
and 6 (LH out; RH down)
 G
and 7 (LH low; RH down)
 H
and 8 (LH across low; RH out)
 I
and 9 (LH across low; RH up)
 J
and 'alphabetic' (LH out ; RH up)
 K
and 0 zero (LH up; RH low)
 L
(LH high; RH low)
 M
(LH out; RH low)
 N
(LH low; RH low)
 O
(LH across high; RH out)
 P
(LH up; RH out)
 Q
(LH high; RH out)
 R
(LH out; RH out)
 S
(LH low; RH out)
 T
(LH up; RH high)
 U
(LH high; RH high)
 V
(LH low; RH up)
 W
(LH out; RH across high)
 X
(LH low; RH across high)
 Y
(LH out; RH high)
 Z
(LH out; RH across low)
 Numerical
sign (LH high; RH up)
 Annul
sign (LH low; RH high)
 Error
(LH and RH raised and lowered together)
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