Spell tool
Type a message. Hoist the flags.
Letters use the ICS alphabet flags. Digits use numeric pennants. Spaces and punctuation mark small gaps; unrecognised characters drop out.
Try a procedural hoist: distress and urgency calls are spelled as letter flags here. Two- and three-flag combinations have separate code-book meanings outside this single-flag guide.
Gallery
All 40 signal flags
A — Alfa
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
B — Bravo
I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
C — Charlie
Affirmative.
D — Delta
Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficulty.
E — Echo
I am altering my course to starboard.
F — Foxtrot
I am disabled; communicate with me.
G — Golf
I require a pilot. Fishing vessels near fishing grounds: I am hauling nets.
H — Hotel
I have a pilot on board.
I — India
I am altering my course to port.
J — Juliett
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board; keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
K — Kilo
I wish to communicate with you.
L — Lima
Stop immediately.
M — Mike
My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N — November
Negative.
O — Oscar
Man overboard.
P — Papa
In harbour: all persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea, fishing vessels may mean: my nets have come fast upon an obstruction.
Q — Quebec
My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique.
R — Romeo
No ICS meaning as a single flag.
S — Sierra
I am operating astern propulsion.
T — Tango
Keep clear of me. Fishing boats: keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
U — Uniform
You are running into danger.
V — Victor
I require assistance.
W — Whiskey
I require medical assistance.
X — Xray
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Y — Yankee
I am dragging my anchor.
Z — Zulu
I require a tug. Fishing vessels near fishing grounds: I am shooting nets.
0 — Zero
Numeric pennant 0: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
1 — One
Numeric pennant 1: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
2 — Two
Numeric pennant 2: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
3 — Three
Numeric pennant 3: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
4 — Four
Numeric pennant 4: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
5 — Five
Numeric pennant 5: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
6 — Six
Numeric pennant 6: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
7 — Seven
Numeric pennant 7: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
8 — Eight
Numeric pennant 8: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
9 — Nine
Numeric pennant 9: hoist this digit inside ICS code groups, coordinates, times, bearings, and complements.
S1 — First substitute
Repeat the first flag already hoisted in this group.
S2 — Second substitute
Repeat the second flag already hoisted in this group.
S3 — Third substitute
Repeat the third flag already hoisted in this group.
ANS — Answering pennant
Acknowledge a signal or separate decimal points in numeric groups.
Sources and scope
Use the single-flag operational meanings.
The meanings here follow the single-letter signal table in the International Code of Signals for Visual, Sound, and Radio Communications, United States Edition, Pub. 102, 1969 edition revised 2003. Geometry was checked against the Pub. 102 flag plate: square alphabet flags, Alfa/Bravo swallowtails, triangular numeric and substitute pennants, and the tapered code/answering pennant.
Single-flag meanings are the operational subset. Multi-flag combinations have separate code-book meanings, complements, medical tables, distress procedures, and navigation groups outside this teaching page.