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International Code of Signals (Miscellaneous)

Maritime Signal Flags

Last modified: 2016-09-10 by rob raeside
Keywords: international code of signals | maritime signal flags |
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Miscellaneous Pennants

ICS Answering Pennant

[Answering Pennant] image by Antonio Martins

The Mariner's Mirror is the international quarterly publication of the Society for Nautical Research (associated with the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich, England). Among the correspondence in the current (November 2008) issue, is a note at page 474 from Richard Woodman. He reports learning recently why the International Code/Answering pennant is often shown in ship pictures flying below the vessel's ensign. In a seamanship manual published in 1898 (which he does not identify), Mr. Woodman found the answer to be that, when so flown, the answering pennant conveys the message that all other signal flags visible aboard the vessel are intended to convey their International Code meanings and no other. According to Mr. Woodman, when hoisted elsewhere, the answering pennant performs its ordinary task.
John Paul Jones, 21 November 2008

ICS Books-on-board Pennant

[Books on Board Pennant] image by Antonio Martins

ICS Prompt Pennant

[Prompt Pennant] image by Antonio Martins

First Repeater

[First Repeater] image by Antonio Martins

Second Repeater

[Second Repeater] image by Keith Knowles

Third Repeater

[Third Repeater] image by Antonio Martins

Fourth Repeater

[Fourth Repeater] image by Antonio Martins

The ICS doesn't have code longer than 4 symbols, thus only needs three repeaters. The image shown is the NATO 4th repeater.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 3 September 2016

Retired ICS Signal Flags

These signal flags are from a flag plate of house flags. They are all 1:2 versions of the ICS flags, except the C-G range, that is composed of triangular flags (also in proportions 1:2, with the following characteristics:

[retired C flag] image by Jorge Candeias

C - White with a red disc shifted to the hoist.

[retired D flag] image by Jorge Candeias

D - Blue with a white disc shifted to the hoist.

[retired E flag] image by Jorge Candeias

E - A red-white-blue vertical tricolour.

[retired F flag] image by Jorge Candeias

F - Red with a white cross throughout shifted to the hoist.

[retired G flag] image by Jorge Candeias

G - A yellow-blue vertical bicolour, with the dividing line shifted to hoist.
Jorge Candeias, 15 January 2005

They are shown here, on a page from the German 1902 Brockhaus encyclopedia (pdf file):

These were still around in 1922, see

"Standard Seamanship for the Merchant Service, Riesenberg, Felix, C.E.D., Van Nostrand Company, 1922, "International Code Flags" p559. Changes include "F" and "L"."
Jan Mertens, 16 January 2005

[retired older F flag] image by Dominique Cureau

F - Older version. Red with a white dot.

[retired L flag] image by Dominique Cureau

L - Quartered blue and yellow

[retired answering pennant] image by Dominique Cureau

Answering pennant - like the current flag but sharp-tipped
Dominique Cureau, 5 May 2005