International maritime signal flags

From Freepedia

The system of international maritime signal flags is a way of representing individual letters of the alphabet on ships or in nautical situations. It is a component of the International Code of Signals. ^[1]</small>

The flags can also be used to signal other things than alphabetical messages. For example, divers will often raise the flag representing the letter A as a marker to other sea traffic in the area.

The flags are also used, with a different set of special meanings, in yacht racing and dinghy racing, where (for example) the P flag is used as the "preparatory" flag to indicate an imminent start, and the S flag means "shortened course".

A	Alpha	Image:Nautical a.png	I have a Diver down; keep well clear at slow speed
B	Bravo	Image:Nautical b.png	I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
C	Charlie	Image:Nautical c.png	Yes ^[1]
D	Delta	Image:Nautical d.png	Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvering with difficulty.
E	Echo	Image:Nautical e.png	I am altering my course to starboard
F	Foxtrot	Image:Nautical f.png	I am disabled; communicate with me.
G	Golf	Image:Nautical g.png	I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am hauling nets".
H	Hotel	Image:Nautical h.png	I have a pilot on board.
I	India	Image:Nautical i.png	I am altering my course to port
J	Juliett	Image:Nautical j.png	I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
K	Kilo	Image:Nautical k.png	I wish to communicate with you.
L	Lima	Image:Nautical l.png	You should stop your vessel instantly.
M	Mike	Image:Nautical m.png	My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N	November	Image:Nautical n.png	No ^[2]
O	Oscar	Image:Nautical o.png	Man overboard (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats)
P	Papa	Image:Nautical p.png	The Blue Peter. In harbor — All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea — It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction". It may also be used as a sound to mean: "I require a pilot".
Q	Quebec	Image:Nautical q.png	My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique.
R	Romeo	Image:Nautical r.png
S	Sierra	Image:Nautical s.png	I am operating astern propulsion.
T	Tango	Image:Nautical t.png	Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
U	Uniform	Image:Nautical u.png	You are going into danger
V	Victor	Image:Nautical v.png	I require assistance
W	Whiskey	Image:Nautical w.png	I require medical assistance
X	X-ray	Image:Nautical x.png	Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Y	Yankee	Image:Nautical y.png	I am dragging my anchor.
Z	Zulu	Image:Nautical z.png	I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am shooting nets".