Is The International Code Relevant ?

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Woodentop

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So you potter around with your DSC and your mobile phone and with very little knowledge of how to communicate with another boat.

Let me tell you a story.......

We are anchored just outside a harbour. I have a fine dinner working its way through the digestive tract and a little distilled "nippy-sweetie" helping it on its way as I sit in the cockpit before I renew a close relationship with my duvet.

A boat moves up and anchors in a position I consider strange. Given my local knowledge I consider his actions intercoursingly stupid.

A call on the VHF to the 60 foot schooner anchored at the entrance to Puerto Tequila gets no response. (I am British, He is German, The port is Spanish)

Time for the International Code.

Out with the Aldis Lamp (The big spotlight for the youth) and I flash "K" at him. (long short long) And yes I did have to look it up in my chart top folder where I keep all this info immediately to hand. It takes several sets of flashes.

He calls on the VHF "Who is trying to contact me? " And I tell him that he will be run down by the ferry at 0615 local if he stays there.

The info is passed, his plans reflect the new information.

THE POINT

Although we think we have every bit of information and every bit of communication immediately to hand we do not.

Do not wonder why another boat is flying an odd flag or flashing a light at you, The old code is so very efficient that they can send you a message (for example Uniform -. you are standing into danger) faster than they can dial your MMSI into their DSC. Besides it also crosses language barriers.

Although the old code is considered obselete by many - it still works (out side of the Solent)
 
Not having visited the Solent area for some years I am not absolutely clear about your comment, but I can guess.
The International Code is still in use by professionals and those amateurs who take a pride in "getting it right". Even if you don't show the flags yourself, or use any other recognised method of signalling except voice, surely every vessel should have on board a person who knows where to look up what the signals mean.
Example: upon entering Dartmouth for your first time you see a small power driven vessel manoeuvring a sort of pontoon laden with motor vehicles. It is flying flag D. Yes, he is telling you something, but what? And he does not have time to speak on VHF to every yacht, pleasure craft etc entering the harbour what it is.
Would you (a) recognise flag D? or, (b) know what it means, or have a reference on board to find out?
 
Thank you for that. I feel you agree with my ramble - The Code is still very useful, probably essential, but looked down on as archaic and "old farts with flags".

(I could get D without even looking it up.)
 
I know the ferry well, but can't remember "D" is it manouvering with difficulty? It's shame because I do use flags occasionally. I doubt the guy knew what "K" meant, but knew somebody was flashing at him!!
 
Correct. Go to the top of the class.
The RYA Diary contains (page 14) an illustrated list of commonly used flags.
For landaftaf: the bottom of page 14 shows two "most commonly misused flags" M and V.
At least the Cornish flag is not borrowed from the International Code
 
Tango = Pair trawling, keep clear of me OR, literal translation from French edition (c/o Brittany Ferries) "I am fishing, keep clear of me".

I wonder if there are any other international nuances?

Incidental, boat in Ocean Village, converted wooden sailing vessel, about 70 feet long, and registered in Glasgow. Wearing Red Ensign at port main yard, and M at starboard main yard. What messages is she sending?
 
The port one says, "I am confused - please help me."
The Starboard one says, " I am beligerant - keep well clear, pal."

A mixed message indeed.
 
A retired RN mate has just sent me an email that includes 'BZ' - he wrongly assumes that with my nautical interest I will know what it means.

My books are on board and the internet has failed me this time.

OK team what is BZ?
 
Good point!

Of course most of those who have (friends who have )been to Ibiza and the like will understand "permission to lie alongside"
and similar messages from the tee shirts and tea towels they have been given or bought.

Regards Briani
 
Oh it works very well (if you have the cockpit companion flip over booky thing) I always ask people on board what the red and white flag means flown on the ships in the solent.

We did a regatta thingy/treasure hunt on the Solent and one of the tasks was to display a message to the commitee boat - all the others did it in mime one wrote on a sheet, we ran up a signal with flags - the crew asked "what order" I replied "don't matter. just run up any thing, they won't understand anyway"!

........sure enough we rec a hearty: "message understood well done" over a loudhailer, tee hee..


Ian
 
Reeds Almanac and other publications usually identify single letter signals, but what yachtsman's publications provide details of multi flag messages? Given that some hoists are of 4 signal flags, then I assume the list is very long?
 
I don't know - I've asked ex Navy captains what some of the combinations they put up mean and he just looked blank!

A few here:

signal flags meanings
NC I am in distress
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 canceled
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
PD Your navigation lights are not visible
PP Keep well clear of me
RU Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty
QD I am going ahead
QQ I require health clearance
QT I am going astern
QU Anchoring is prohibited
QX I request permission to anchor
SO You should stop your vessel instantly
UM The Harbor is closed to traffic
UP Permission to enter Harbor is urgently requested. I have an emergency
YU I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals
ZL Your signal has been received but not understood.


as for the 4 flags - maybe some salty may know

Cheers


Ian
 
Not that I'm against long lasting tradtions or their continued use, I'd say a resounding 'No'.

Now, I've not been sailing as long as most on this board, 12 years or so, but I have NEVER had a conversation with other yotties or commercial boaties about this. That includes a YM practical, a fair few countries visited and god knows how many yotty drinkies sessions. P'raps they were being polite but my instincts are that if anyone thoght that this had any relevance the topic would have got an airing. I'd go further and say that to assume any flag knowledge is the intelleectual equivalent of 'You are running into danger'
 
If you mean ex Royal Navy captains then it's not surprising - they have their own code flags and signals.
The present International Code of Signals became operative on the 1st of April 1969 and is available through any HMSO bookshop.
It does not contain any 4 flag signals, but the medical section have 3 flags (all signals begin with M) and usually causes some people amusement, eg
MMU - End of penis is inflamed and swollen
MNK - patient cannot open his eyes
MUK - when did labour pains start?
Tables M1 and M2 show numbered parts of the body to be used in conjunction with the M signals.
 
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