INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS - SELECTED EXAMPLES
Source: International Code of Signals, 2005 ed. (IMO IA994E), IMO – International Maritime Organization, 2005, ISBN 9789280141986
A I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
B I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
C Yes (affirmative or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative”).
D Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
E I am altering my course to starboard.
F I am disabled; communicate with me.
G I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am hauling nets”.
H I have a pilot on board.
I I am altering my course to port.
J I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
K I wish to communicate with you.
L You should stop your vessel instantly.
M My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N No (negative or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative”). This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be “NO”.
O Man overboard.
P In harbor.—All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
At sea.—It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: “My nets have come fast upon an obstruction”. It may also be used as a sound to mean: “I require a pilot”.
Q My vessel is “healthy” and I request free pratique.
S I am operating astern propulsion.
T Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
U You are running into danger.
V I require assistance.
W I require medical assistance.
X Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Y I am dragging my anchor.
Z I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am shooting nets”.
AC I am abandoning my vessel.
AD I am abandoning my vessel which has suffered a nuclear accident and is a possible source of radiation danger.
AN I need a doctor.
AN 1 I need a doctor; I have severe burns.
AN 2 I need a doctor; I have radiation casualties.
BR I require a helicopter.
CD I require immediate assistance.
DV I am drifting.
ED Your help signal was understood.
EF SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled.
EL Repeat the distress position.
EL 1 What is the position of vessel in distress?
FA Will you give me my position?
FO I'm standing by you.
GM I cannot save my vessel.
GN You should take off persons.
GN 1 I wish some persons taken off. Skeleton crew will remain on board.
GN 2 I will take off persons.
GN 3 Can you take off persons?
GW Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up.
IR Stay at large.
IT I am on fire.
JG I'm astray.
JL You are running the risk of going aground.
KN I can't tow you.
KP Tow me to port.
LO I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel.
MAA I request urgent medical advice.
MAB I request you to make rendezvous in position indicated.
MAC I request you to arrange hospital admission.
MAD I am . . . (indicate number) hours from the nearest port.
MS 1 My vessel is a dangerous source of radiation; you may approach from my starboard side.
NA Navigation prohibited.
NC I am in distress and require immediate assistance.
PD Your navigation lights are not visible.
PM Follow me.
PP Keep well clear of me.
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.
RU Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
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.
US 4 Nothing can be done until weather moderates.
VG The coverage of low clouds is… (number of octants or eighths of sky covered).
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.
Source: International Code of Signals, 2005 ed. (IMO IA994E), IMO – International Maritime Organization, 2005, ISBN 9789280141986
A I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
B I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
C Yes (affirmative or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative”).
D Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
E I am altering my course to starboard.
F I am disabled; communicate with me.
G I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am hauling nets”.
H I have a pilot on board.
I I am altering my course to port.
J I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
K I wish to communicate with you.
L You should stop your vessel instantly.
M My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N No (negative or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative”). This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be “NO”.
O Man overboard.
P In harbor.—All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
At sea.—It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: “My nets have come fast upon an obstruction”. It may also be used as a sound to mean: “I require a pilot”.
Q My vessel is “healthy” and I request free pratique.
S I am operating astern propulsion.
T Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.
U You are running into danger.
V I require assistance.
W I require medical assistance.
X Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
Y I am dragging my anchor.
Z I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am shooting nets”.
AC I am abandoning my vessel.
AD I am abandoning my vessel which has suffered a nuclear accident and is a possible source of radiation danger.
AN I need a doctor.
AN 1 I need a doctor; I have severe burns.
AN 2 I need a doctor; I have radiation casualties.
BR I require a helicopter.
CD I require immediate assistance.
DV I am drifting.
ED Your help signal was understood.
EF SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled.
EL Repeat the distress position.
EL 1 What is the position of vessel in distress?
FA Will you give me my position?
FO I'm standing by you.
GM I cannot save my vessel.
GN You should take off persons.
GN 1 I wish some persons taken off. Skeleton crew will remain on board.
GN 2 I will take off persons.
GN 3 Can you take off persons?
GW Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up.
IR Stay at large.
IT I am on fire.
JG I'm astray.
JL You are running the risk of going aground.
KN I can't tow you.
KP Tow me to port.
LO I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel.
MAA I request urgent medical advice.
MAB I request you to make rendezvous in position indicated.
MAC I request you to arrange hospital admission.
MAD I am . . . (indicate number) hours from the nearest port.
MS 1 My vessel is a dangerous source of radiation; you may approach from my starboard side.
NA Navigation prohibited.
NC I am in distress and require immediate assistance.
PD Your navigation lights are not visible.
PM Follow me.
PP Keep well clear of me.
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.
RU Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
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.
US 4 Nothing can be done until weather moderates.
VG The coverage of low clouds is… (number of octants or eighths of sky covered).
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.
Last modified: Saturday, 25 April 2020, 7:50 PM