May
1
Decorating Your Ship with International Code Signal Flags
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On national holidays, at regattas, and on other special occasions, yachts often “dress ship” with International Code of Signal flags.
International code flags are used to signal messages between two ships or between ship and shore. Also called signaling flags, they are a set of flags of different colors, shapes and markings which used singly or in combination have different meanings. The flags include 26 square flags which depict the letters of the alphabet, ten numeral pendants, one answering pendant, and three substituters or repeaters. Only a few colors can be readily distinguished at sea. These are: red, blue, yellow, black, and white; and these cannot be mixed indiscriminately. You will notice, for clarity, the flags shown are either red and white, yellow and blue, blue and white, or black and white; besides plain red, white, and blue.
When dressing a ship with International Code flags, The ship is dressed at 8 a.m., and remains dressed until evening hours. A ship is dressed while at anchor only, except for a vessel’s maiden (first) and final voyages, and participation in a marine parade or other unique situation.
In dressing ship, the national ensign is also hoisted at the stern staff (and the Union Jack may be displayed at the bow staff on government vessels). The rainbow of flags of the International Code is arranged, reaching from the water line forward to the water line aft, by way of the bowsprit end (or stem if there’s no bowsprit) and the masthead(s). Flags and pennants are bent on alternately, rather than in any indiscriminate manner. Since there are twice as many letter flags as numeral pennants, it is good practice, as in the Navy, to follow a sequence of two flags, one pennant, two flags, one pennant, throughout. The sequence recommended here provides a harmonious color pattern throughout:
Starting from forward: AB2, UJ1, KE3, GH6, IV5, FL4, DM7, PO Third Repeater, RN First Repeater, ST Zero, CX9, WQ8, ZY Second Repeater.
You can purchase International Code of Signal flags ready to dress your ship at FlagandBanner.com today! Feel free to call us at 1-800-445-0653 to answer other nautical questions, or find more supplies of what you need to dress your ship, or even have personal ensign made. We’re more than just a flag store, we are Flag Experts!
May
1
Project Runway Designer holds Photo Shoot at the Dreamland Ballroom
Filed Under AFB in Print, AFB's Community Service, Dreamland Ballroom | Leave a Comment