Are signal flags still relevant?

[JPA Cate]

jspla1,

Check the fine print on your offshore insurance policy: they may be required.

Ann

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

I was is Eden on the NSW south coast, behind the navy wharf, a naval ship was loading/unloading some sort of ammunition, we were told we should not look at what was happening, I then asked why they were changing flags at various times(I have an old copy of Browns Signaling), I need to look through binos to see the flags!! Navy could not explain.

We anchored there last night at midnight. This morning there is a navy ship loading munitions and movement is restricted. They are flying 3 red flags. One red, one red with checkers and one red with a cross (plus). Not sure how to interpret.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Paul L

We anchored there last night at midnight. This morning there is a navy ship loading munitions and movement is restricted. They are flying 3 red flags. One red, one red with checkers and one red with a cross (plus). Not sure how to interpret.

What shape flags?
What colour checkers and cross?
What order are they in?



Are they R U B ? (the opposite order to the way you listed them)



RU = Keep clear of me, I am manouvering with difficulty.
B = I am taking on, discharging or carrying dangerous goods.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by StuM

What shape flags?
What colour checkers and cross?
What order are they in?



Are they R U B ? (the opposite order to the way you listed them)



RU = Keep clear of me, I am manouvering with difficulty.
B = I am taking on, discharging or carrying dangerous goods.

Here's a picture. Remember the order might be reversed because we are in the southern hemisphere.

[StuM]

Two separate hoists.


B on one and RY on the other. (Not checkers as in U, they are diagonals as in Y)


B = Dangerous goods.


RY = You should proceed at slow speed when passing me.


(Their yellows in R and Y are very dark and dirty!)


I'm not sure what that is behind the B. Some form of pennant?

[CFS Klopas]

Looks like an Answer Pennant. Wiki says it means to interpret the other flags as Stu has, rather than the Navy's special meanings for the flags.

I have a set that I fly to amuse myself a few times a year. I have little hope anyone will decipher them. Racers need to be able recognize the flags on the committee boat

[LoudMusic]

I was going to get our boat's letters, but when I read their meanings I decided it would be a bad idea

N - Negative
O - Man Overboard
V - I Require Assistance
A - Keep Clear

Oh well ...

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by StuM

Two separate hoists.


B on one and RY on the other. (Not checkers as in U, they are diagonals as in Y)


B = Dangerous goods.


RY = You should proceed at slow speed when passing me.


(Their yellows in R and Y are very dark and dirty!)


I'm not sure what that is behind the B. Some form of pennant?

Thanks, makes sense. They restrict recreational vessel movement when they are loading munitions. You have to pass very close to the pier to enter the anchorage and the restriction is to stay 500 meters away from the naval ship. Glad the ship wasn't in when we arrived at midnight. This is the best anchorage for a southwest gale, which it is blowing outside now.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by CFS Klopas

Looks like an Answer Pennant. Wiki says it means to interpret the other flags as Stu has, rather than the Navy's special meanings for the flags.

On closer inspection, I agree. When I looked at it earlier I thought it was partly blue, but I see now that is just shadow effect.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by StuM

On closer inspection, I agree. When I looked at it earlier I thought it was partly blue, but I see now that is just shadow effect.

When I looked at these flags originally I didn't realize they had yellow marking until I blew up a picture. They looked grey. Hard to judge while still 500 meters away.

[Discovery 15797]

Originally Posted by John_Trusty

I'd think that Foxtrot and Whiskey would be unrecognizable or meaningless to 95% of the US boating population. I would add that everyone knows Oscar, even if they don't know that it's actually a letter flag.

I agree that the vast majority of pleasure boaters would have no clue as to the meaning. They could be valuable for cruisers at sea as commercial and military ships would know these signals.

As for Oscar...if I have crew go overboard....the last thing I will worry about is finding the signal flags and hoisting it up a halyard.

[Montanan]

I would think about getting rid of my Gin Flag only upon getting rid of my boat.

[meirriba]

I would keep A for marking a diver, O attached to a danbuoy for MOB & Q if you sail abroad.7

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by StuM

> Charlie Oscar First Substitute Kilo Tango India Lima Sierra Space Alpha Second Substitute One Seven


What's a cocktil ?

damn . . .



will need that third substitute flag . .

[scallowayuk]

Originally Posted by John_Trusty

I'm with the rest. For US coastal cruising, sell them on eBay, and use the coin to buy something useful for the boat. As to that list the Discovery gave, I'd think that Foxtrot and Whiskey would be unrecognizable or meaningless to 95% of the US boating population. I would add that everyone knows Oscar, even if they don't know that it's actually a letter flag.

Yes if o had them i would have flown foxtrot oscar a few times0