COCKYMARK Posted March 15, 2015 #1 Share Posted March 15, 2015 What is the ship tradition behind them? you always see them while they are in port. I think they look cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pennielz Posted March 15, 2015 #2 Share Posted March 15, 2015 They were used as a means of communication long before the wireless was invented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillB48 Posted March 15, 2015 #3 Share Posted March 15, 2015 While communication was the original use for the signal flags, there is also the custom of "dressing the ship" which can be used to celebrate holidays, show respect or just make the ship look more attractive. Placement of the flags is over the mastheads of the ship and if I am not mistaken there maybe a prescribed order just to ensure that some unintended message is not spelled out;)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pennielz Posted March 15, 2015 #4 Share Posted March 15, 2015 You are correct, hence, the reason they put out all the flags on embarkation days. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 15, 2015 #5 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Some are still in use, like the "H-Hotel" flag for "I have a pilot onboard", "Q-Quebec" for "I am free of disease", "L-Lima" for "I am under quarantine", "B-Bravo" for "I am carrying or loading dangerous cargo", and a few others. It is used as a way of signaling messages without resorting to jamming the radio waves with requests from every vessel to every other vessel. You will see the cruise ships flying the red "Bravo" flag whenever taking on fuel. And yes, there is a specific order of flags when "dressing ship", not only to prevent unintended messages, but also to present a uniform appearance. There are actually two stages, dressing ship and full dressing ship, that US ships follow. Full dressing involves flying the national ensigns at the mastheads as well as the string of signal flags, and is reserved for Washington's Birthday and Independence Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3CatsInMA Posted March 15, 2015 #6 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Some are still in use, like the "H-Hotel" flag for "I have a pilot onboard", "Q-Quebec" for "I am free of disease", "L-Lima" for "I am under quarantine", "B-Bravo" for "I am carrying or loading dangerous cargo", and a few others. It is used as a way of signaling messages without resorting to jamming the radio waves with requests from every vessel to every other vessel. You will see the cruise ships flying the red "Bravo" flag whenever taking on fuel. And yes, there is a specific order of flags when "dressing ship", not only to prevent unintended messages, but also to present a uniform appearance. There are actually two stages, dressing ship and full dressing ship, that US ships follow. Full dressing involves flying the national ensigns at the mastheads as well as the string of signal flags, and is reserved for Washington's Birthday and Independence Day. Thank you for that--very interesting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLACRUISER99 Posted March 15, 2015 #7 Share Posted March 15, 2015 http://www.yrumoar.com/flags.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whittyone Posted March 15, 2015 #8 Share Posted March 15, 2015 http://www.yrumoar.com/flags.php That is very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob brown Posted March 15, 2015 #9 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Here is more info on other flags on ships, besides the signal flags... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_flag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcl410 Posted March 15, 2015 #10 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Flags still serve a practical function as well; as a quick identification of certain events. These are flown on the side of the mast above the bridege. For example; The 'B' flag indicates hazardous operations - such as refueling 'Q' Flag - need to clear customs . i.e.; quarantine 'H' Flag - Pilot on board 'A' Flag - International diving flag etc Back in the 90's, I was on the SS Indendance. The Captain's name was Zarnoff (spelling?). He always had the 'Z' flag flying on the bow to indicate what the wind was doing. :-) Aloha, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COCKYMARK Posted March 15, 2015 Author #11 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer Posted March 15, 2015 #12 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Hi All, One for Sheldon Cooper! :D Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie51 Posted March 15, 2015 #13 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Thank you so much for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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