Signal Flags

[Povremeni pomorac]

Given my C-word induced misanthropy, I think I only want two flags, personally. Foxtrot and Oscar.

 

[BobnLesley]

...anyone daft enough to follow an unknown boat into the shallows with no idea of the draft and depths probably wouldn't be decoding any signal flags!...

One dark and foggy evening when we were first learning to sail we were motoring our way up a very busy Southampton Water (no radar or AIS) keeping clear of the main channel, in search of some marina and 'safely following the lights of a much bigger yacht which we surmised was 'probably aiming for the same marina as us'.
We still fondly recall the very generous skipper who having raised us on the VHF and confirmed that we were indeed following him, told us to turn immediately to starboard; he went on to explain that he was in a Southerly with the keel already partially raised, then followed us out of the shallows before continuing to lead us via a deeper/safer route to where we were going. It turned out he wasn't even going there himself and as we were at about half tide and falling, we would've got ourselves in deep (or perhaps shallow?) shit.

 

[steveinnice]

This is my ready reckoner. My MIL and SWMBO knitted and presented this to me with the encouragement " we can use it to identify you when you sink, just like the Arran sweaters the fishermen wear" even with that, I love it. If you are flag savvy you can work out my boat name from it
.

 

[MADRIGAL]

That link is brilliant.
There is a section titled "Draft".
I think this one might suit me.

OB "My least draft is................. then feet or metres as a number flag.

I could keep it up all Summer and it could add some colour to my lonely flag halyard.

You can even nominate a Winter or Summer draft if you want to.

I'll look a bit further and see if there are any for have a nice day, or unable to communicate by radio due to dunking.

Uniform Whisky: "I wish you a pleasant voyage," but could be a reference to single malt.
MADRIGAL regularly flies Romeo Yankee on her signal halyard: "You should reduce speed when passing me."

 

[DJE]

We see Romeo Yankee quite a lot on various working craft around Portsmouth Harbour. About the only other two-flag signal I know is Bravo Zulu.

 

[Frogmogman]

The only two-flag signal I can remember from the Yachtsman's Weekend Book is OL = 'heave-to or I will open fire', which I am longing to use.

Funnily enough, that is one of the phrases my father knows in Icelandic……

 

[Hermit]

Chapter 3 is the winner but not if you are squeamish...

Although it's probably not a very good idea, they would probably go aground before they could dig the book out!
Single letter signal "U" would be easiest - "You are standing into danger" if that were the case...

Or in the International Code of Signals:
Your could use NU "My draft is"
Or NK "There is not sufficient depth of water" perhaps?

Although anyone daft enough to follow an unknown boat into the shallows with no idea of the draft and depths probably wouldn't be decoding any signal flags!

The code is interesting though, it does have most things for most occasions... It's a big file though, and this is the American version that I found:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...gQFnoECBYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3PAhi-iH9z1gyv_jLRWGqz

 

[Kukri]

As the engine died and we glided gently onto the putty about two cables short of our destination we looked at each other and said “We can fly Z!”

So we did.

I rather think it was the VHF that summoned the workboat, though.