What do maritime flags mean?
International maritime signal flags are various flags used to communicate with ships. In yacht racing and dinghy racing, flags have other meanings; for example, the P flag is used as the “preparatory” flag to indicate an imminent start, and the S flag means “shortened course” (for more details see Race signals).
Are signal flags still used?
Long before radio communication, mariners used signal flags to communicate between ships. An international code still exists at sea today. Each flag stands for a letter or number. String multiple flags together and one can send a message as far as the eye can see.
What is the maritime flag for quarantine?
yellow flag
The plain yellow flag (“Q” or “Quebec” in international maritime signal flags), may derive its letter symbol from its initial use in “quarantine” but, in modern times, the flag indicates the opposite — a ship that declares itself free of quarantinable disease, and requests boarding and inspection by the relevant …
What is a code flag Q?
International Code Flag Q is flown when entering most foreign ports or when returning to a U. S. port from a foreign cruise. It signals to customs and immigration officials that you request clearance.
What does a yellow flag on a boat mean?
quarantine flag
quarantine flag. noun. nautical the yellow signal flag for the letter Q, flown alone from a vessel to indicate that there is no disease aboard and to request pratique or, with a second signal flag, to indicate that there is disease aboardAlso called: yellow flag, yellow jack. Q.
What does a white flag on a boat mean?
diver down flag
A diver down flag, or scuba flag, is a flag used on the water to indicate that there is a diver below. Internationally, the code flag alfa/alpha, which is white and blue, is used to signal that the vessel has a diver down and other vessels should keep well clear at slow speed.
What does R over Y flag mean?
Romeo-Yankee (R over Y) proceed at slow speed when passing.
What is a Blue Peter flag?
Definition of blue peter : a blue signal flag with a white square in the center used to indicate that a merchant vessel is ready to sail.
What is a yellow flag on a boat?
quarantine flag. noun. nautical the yellow signal flag for the letter Q, flown alone from a vessel to indicate that there is no disease aboard and to request pratique or, with a second signal flag, to indicate that there is disease aboardAlso called: yellow flag, yellow jack. Q.
What does flying a yellow flag mean?
Medical Definition of quarantine flag : a yellow flag hoisted by all ships to request pratique on entering a harbor, by a ship to show that it has contagious or infectious disease aboard, or by a ship that has been quarantined. — called also yellow flag, yellow jack.
What does a black flag on a ship mean?
In years gone by, editions of the International Code of Signals (ICOS) did contain signals for vessels that suspected they harbored, or could be harboring, contagious diseases. In Brown’s 1916 edition the L (Lima) flag (black and yellow squares) signified ‘I have or had some dangerous, infectious disease on board.
What does an orange flag on a boat mean?
Meaning. Racing Committee flag. Used to show where committee boat end of the start line is. Orange start flag. Shows where the start line ends.