2 letter code Sierra November

J

jdc

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 Dec 2007
Messages
2,065
Location
Falmouth
Visit site
I've just been reading an old (1970s - not that old) sailing manual. In the signalling section it includes the 2-letter group SN. This means "You should stop immediately. Do not scuttle. Do not lower boats. Do not use the wireless. If you disobey I shall open fire on you".

I'm dying to find a reason to hoist it - any suggestions?
 
You could try flashing it the next time the septics park one of their nuke aircraft carriers at Pompey. Report back the response if you live long enough.
 
C'mon, it's only a leaking pipe union.

Something the Health and Safety Executive reckons needs to be nipped up by 'a competent person' before being signed off. Apparently, there's no-one on board with the necessary Sustificates, so back to port she must come for a 'dockyard matey' and his team carrying 'no spark' portable barriers, Method Statements in quadruplicate, a range of tools and the briefcase of Certificates of Competence permitting their use by said 'competent person'.... and a qualified First Aider in case of attacks of the vapours.

Or it could be the equivalent of Yossarian 'pulling' the intercom cords, so that they don't need to go to the Gulf of Oman and get shot at.
 
knuterikt said:
A navy ship bringing up another ship.
the complete signal book is here http://www.seasources.net/PDF/PUB102.pdf
SN is on page 83 section 4

Edit: I would think that a German WWII raider would use this signal when stopping a civilian ship.
Click to expand...

I agree, but the thing which amused me was the inclusion of this code group, in a list of only 5 such codes, (JG, JH, SC, ZL, SN) in a main-stream sailing manual written in the 1970s (Stanford's Sailing Companion, 4th edition).
 
jdc said:
I agree, but the thing which amused me was the inclusion of this code group, in a list of only 5 such codes, (JG, JH, SC, ZL, SN) in a main-stream sailing manual written in the 1970s (Stanford's Sailing Companion, 4th edition).
Click to expand...
seems unnecessary since we all have a copy of the “signal book” onboard:)
Whats the authors background? Maybe navy?
 
Last edited:
I remember whilst being on the Beira Patrol one ship insisted that all communication was by flags using the 2 letter codes. Took ages as you are only supposed to hoist one message at a time.
 
Very confusing. According to my bible, the post-war Yachtsman's Weekend Book, SN means 'Pilot is coming out to you now or at time indicated'. OL means 'HEAVE-TO or I will open fire on you'.
 
johnalison said:
Very confusing. According to my bible, the post-war Yachtsman's Weekend Book, SN means 'Pilot is coming out to you now or at time indicated'. OL means 'HEAVE-TO or I will open fire on you'.
Click to expand...
There was a big revision of the “international code of signals” in 1969 the previous version was two volumes while the 1969 edition is only one volume.
 
I've never been able to figure how Nelson sent "England expects ... " Was there a lot of flags? Several flag halyards? I feel sure that someone (many people?) here must know.
 
cpedw said:
I've never been able to figure how Nelson sent "England expects ... " Was there a lot of flags? Several flag halyards? I feel sure that someone (many people?) here must know.
Click to expand...

Maybe there's a two-flag code for it?
And another one for 'England is mildly pessimistic about men doing their duty and anticipates hanging a few cowards.'
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top