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Flag Decoder

A Navy F-18 takes flight.

Crack the Code

Think you have the smarts to decipher secret Navy messages?

Using codes and signals to communicate is second nature to a Sailor. In fact, we’ve used maritime signal flags to communicate with allied forces at sea for over a century.

Match the signal flags in front of you to the ones below to read our coded message.

Navy Signal Flags

A / Alfa

Diver down. Stay clear and keep a slow speed.

Diver down. Stay clear and keep a slow speed.

B / Bravo

Taking in or carrying dangerous cargo.

Taking in or carrying dangerous cargo.

C / Charlie

Affirmative.

Affirmative.

D / Delta

Having difficulty maneuvering, stay clear.

Having difficulty maneuvering, stay clear.

E / Echo

Changing course to starboard.

Changing course to starboard.

F / Foxtrot

Disabled and communications are requested. Also, flight operations underway.

Disabled and communications are requested. Also, flight operations underway.

G / Golf

Harbor pilot required.

Harbor pilot required.

H / Hotel

Harbor pilot aboard. Also, helicopter operations.

Harbor pilot aboard. Also, helicopter operations.

I / India

Coming alongside.

Coming alongside.

J / Juliett

Dangerous cargo is on board and on fire, stay clear.

Dangerous cargo is on board and on fire, stay clear.

K / Kilo

Communication requested.

Communication requested.

L / Lima

Advising to stop your vessel immediately.

Advising to stop your vessel immediately.

M / Mike

Vessel is stopped.

Vessel is stopped.

N / November

Negative.

Negative.

O / Oscar

Man overboard.

Man overboard.

P / Papa

All personnel return to ship (while in port).

All personnel return to ship (while in port).

Q / Quebec

All boats return to ship.

All boats return to ship.

R / Romeo

At sea, preparing to replenish. In port, ready duty ship.

At sea, preparing to replenish. In port, ready duty ship.

S / Sierra

Conducting flag hoisting drill.

Conducting flag hoisting drill.

T / Tango

Do not pass ahead.

Do not pass ahead.

U / Uniform

Beware, you are in danger ahead.

Beware, you are in danger ahead.

V / Victor

Assistance required.

Assistance required.

W / Whiskey

Medical assistance required.

Medical assistance required.

X / X-Ray

Stop your intentions and watch for signals.

Stop your intentions and watch for signals.

Y / Yankee

Ship has communications duty (visual).

Ship has communications duty (visual).

Z / Zulu

Tug required.

Tug required.

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