What are U.S. Navy Signal Flags?
Signal flags are a uniform set of easily identifiable nautical codes and are used to convey visual messages and signals between two ships or from ship-to-shore. They are based on a internationally recognized set of codes referred to as the International Code of Signals and is published in nine languages; English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, Norwegian, Russian and Greek. The codes are important for safety and are crucial when language barriers exist. The Origins of Signal Flag Codes The use of flags to send messages while at sea actually dates back as far as the Middle Ages. However, the most detailed sets of flag codes were first developed by the British during the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) to convey messages and signals between two ships and ship-to-shore. The code of signals we use today was first established in 1857 by the British Board Trade and was revised in 1932. The International Code of Signals became effective in 1969 and this document is based on the 2003 r
