Are signal flags still relevant?

[Scott Berg]

We carry a full set of signal flags in a canvas wrap as well as an extra Alpha, Bravo, Oscar, Quebec, and Zulu (Diver Down, BZ,etc). We enjoy the old sailing arts (we also carry and use a steaming cone and anchor ball). The fact that most these day’s won’t recognize them (as they don’t recognize or respond to required whistle signals) is their problem and not ours. We keep a fairly tight ship, follow the ColRegs carefully, and keep a good watch. Oh, and as my friend the late Dave Masters was fond of saying, the Bozo quotient goes way down when you get away from the tropics!

[Tillsbury]

Originally Posted by Scott Berg

We carry a full set of signal flags in a canvas wrap as well as an extra Alpha, Bravo, Oscar, Quebec, and Zulu (Diver Down, BZ,etc). We enjoy the old sailing arts (we also carry and use a steaming cone and anchor ball). The fact that most these day’s won’t recognize them (as they don’t recognize or respond to required whistle signals) is their problem and not ours. We keep a fairly tight ship, follow the ColRegs carefully, and keep a good watch. Oh, and as my friend the late Dave Masters was fond of saying, the Bozo quotient goes way down when you get away from the tropics!

Please don’t refer to a ball and cone as “old sailing arts”! They’re mandatory parts of colregs, which are still current rules as far as I’m aware...

[JimZeigler]

Chapman's is a excellent reference for signal flags. It also provide the so-called "correct" order for the flags with you dress ship from bow to stern.

[fatherchronica]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to recall that the doom of signal flags as communication devises was when Ribbon Waving was introduced as an Olympic sport. Killed for me anyway. I do have a Q-flag though, but I have no need for a diver down really. If they want to run me down when I dive they have to hit my boat because I am probably cutting something off my propellor shaft.

[Apollo366]

Here's a note on how obsolete Signal Flags & Morse code signal lights are.

At least 10 years ago the US Navy did away with the specialty of Signalman, they no longer use flags, lights, and Semaphore to communicate!

As for the flags seen while the Navy ship was handling ammo, it is probably in the procedure that they fly those flags, and likely only a few officers/crew on board could tell you what they mean.

As far as commercial ships I think the same is true, I doubt there's anyone on board that could read flags or Morse code, except if they had a ships radio operator, but he's more likely a repairman not an operator like in old days. The exception to this is the use of the A, Q, B, O, and G; A Diver Down, Quarantine, B Dangerous Goods or Explosives, Man Overboard, G I Require a Pilot. In general everyone uses the radio for short range comms.

Night lights and Day Shapes are required for the Captain to know cold as they are used by commercial ships regularly, and are required by the ColRegs.

So the best use of Signal Flags, other than the above mentioned uses, is as decoration on Holidays.

I carry a full set for the last 38 years, but only use them as noted above,

[CatNewBee]

don't forget NC for distress!

[Descant]

Charlie Oscar First Substitute Kilo Tango India Lima Sierra Space Alpha Second Substitute One Seven.

Bravo Zulu.

I don't have a mast big enough for your signal. At my home yacht club, we raise the Commodore's flag when his vessel arrives. That one flag says the same thing, and is good 24/7. (you can't drink all day if you don't start early)

[Pat_D]

Originally Posted by StuM

> Charlie Oscar First Substitute Kilo Tango India Lima Sierra Space Alpha Second Substitute One Seven


What's a cocktil ?

Obviously you don't need one bad enough.

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by Pat_D

Obviously you don't need one bad enough.

Or is past needing a flag for one.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by StuM

> Charlie Oscar First Substitute Kilo Tango India Lima Sierra Space Alpha Second Substitute One Seven


What's a cocktil ?

Lol it's code for masterbation
....til something better comes along! [emoji1]

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Apollo366

As far as commercial ships I think the same is true, I doubt there's anyone on board that could read flags or Morse code, except if they had a ships radio operator

All the watch need to do is look it up in ICS.



SOLAS V Regulation 21

. All ships which, in accordance with the present Convention, are required to carry a radio installation shall carry the International Code of Signals as may be amended by the Organization. The Code shall also be carried by any other ship which, in the opinion of the Administration, has a need to use it.

[Apollo366]

I stand corrected, but they take awhile to read and interpret the code.

Apparently they must carry the ICS, but are they required to have the flags, signal light, or semaphore flags?

Oh and somewhere I read that they may elect to use radio comms in place of the codes.

BTW, what are the SOLAS V Regs?

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Apollo366

I

BTW, what are the SOLAS V Regs?

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

Chapter V – Safety of navigation. (Roman numeral V = 5)

[brownr377]

Well now i wanna go out and get some signal flags

[chris in SG]

I'm attaching a screenshot of a sailing club's advice to sailors arriving and departing Singapore. I'm only sharing it as an indication of continued use of signal flags in some places, not as a warning to visitors to Singapore (visitors will do their own research). Perhaps I should add that this system was only introduced about 10 years ago when the authorities introduced mandatory immigration processing at sea, in designated areas, so its not historical baggage. Perhaps this is a one-off situation, I'm not sure..