International Marine Signal Flag meanings
 

	Alpha - Diver below (when stationary); I am undergoing a speed trial
	Bravo - I am taking on or discharging explosives
	Charlie - (affirmative)
	Delta - keep clear of me, I am manoeuvring with difficulty
	Echo - I am altering my course to starboard
	Foxtrot - I am disabled, communicate with me
	Golf - I require a pilot
	Hotel - I have a pilot on board
	India - I am altering my course to port
	Juliet - I am going to send a message by semaphore
	Kilo - you should stop your vessel instantly
	Lima - you should stop, I have something important to communicate
	Mike - I have a doctor on board
	November - no (negative)
	Oscar - man overboard
	Papa - the Blue Peter - all aboard, vessel is about to proceed sea. (At sea) your lights are out or burning badly
	Quebec - my vessel is healthy and I request free practique
	Romeo - the way is off my ship. You may feel you way past me
	Sierra - my engines are going full speed astern
	Tango - do not pass ahead of me
	Uniform - you are standing into danger
	Victor - I require assistance (not distress)
	Whisky - I require medical assistance
	X Ray - stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
	Yankee - I am carrying mails
	Zulu - to be used to address or call shore stations
	Code and answering pennant.
	0
	1
	2
	3
	4
	5
	6
	7
	8
	9
	substitute 1
	substitute 2
	substitute 3
	AC - I am abandoning my vessel.
	AN - I need a doctor.
	BR - I require a helicopter.
	CD - I require immediate assistance.
	DV - I am drifting.
	EF - SOS/MAYDAY has been cancelled.
	FA - Will you give me my position?
	GW - Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up.
	JL - You are running the risk of going aground.
	LO - I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel.
	NC - I am in distress and require immediate assistance.
	PD - Your navigation lights are not visible.
	PP - Keep well clear of me.
	QD - I am going ahead.
	QT - I am going astern.
	QQ - I require health clearance.
	QU - Anchoring is prohibited.
	QX - I request permission to anchor.
	RU - Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficulty.
	RY - minimise your wake I am loading or unloading
	SO - You should stop your vessel instantly.
	UM - the Harbour is closed to traffic.
	UP - Permission to enter Harbour is urgently requested. I have an emergency.
	YU - I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International code of signals.
	ZD1 - Please report me to the Coast Guard, New York
	ZD2 - Please report me to Lloyds, London.
	ZL - Your signal has been received but not understood.