CHAPTER1—SIGNALINGINSTRUCTIONSExamples."BQ S300"=The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the earth is 300 knots""BQ V300"="The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the earth is 300 kilometers per hour"Time13.Times are to beexpressed in fourfigures, of which thefirst twodenote the hour,from 00 (midnight) upto 23 (11 p.m.),andthelasttwodenotetheminutes(from00to59).Thefiguresareprecededby(a)the letter"T"indicatingLocal time",or(b)the letter"Z"indicating“Greenwich Mean Time"Examples."BH T1045L2015N G3840W C125"="I sighted an aircraft at local time 1045 in lat 20°15'N, long 38°40'W flyingoncourse125"RXZ0830"="Youshould proceedatGMT0830"Time of origin14.Thetime oforigin may be added at the end ofthe text.It should begiven to the nearest minute and expressed byfourfigures.Apartfromindicatingatwhattimea signal originated, it also serves as a convenientreferencenumberCommunicationbylocal signal codes15.Ifa vessel or a coast station wishes to make a signal in a local code, the signal"YV1"=Thegroups whichfolloware fromthe local code"shouldprecedethe local signal,if it is necessary,in order to avoid misunderstanding8
8 CHAPTER 1.—SIGNALING INSTRUCTIONS Examples: “BQ S300” = “The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the earth is 300 knots”. “BQ V300” = “The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the earth is 300 kilometers per hour”. Time 13. Times are to be expressed in four figures, of which the first two denote the hour, from 00 (midnight) up to 23 (11 p.m.), and the last two denote the minutes (from 00 to 59). The figures are preceded by: (a) the letter “T” indicating “Local time”, or (b) the letter “Z” indicating “Greenwich Mean Time”. Examples: “BH T1045 L2015N G3840W C125” = “I sighted an aircraft at local time 1045 in lat 20˚15' N, long 38˚40' W flying on course 125˚”. “RX Z0830” = “You should proceed at GMT 0830”. Time of origin 14. The time of origin may be added at the end of the text. It should be given to the nearest minute and expressed by four figures. Apart from indicating at what time a signal originated, it also serves as a convenient reference number. Communication by local signal codes 15. If a vessel or a coast station wishes to make a signal in a local code, the signal “YV 1” = “The groups which follow are from the local code” should precede the local signal, if it is necessary, in order to avoid misunderstanding
CHAPTER 1SECTION5:FLAGSIGNALING1.As a general rule only one hoist should be shown at a time.Each hoist or group of hoists should bekept flying until it hasbeen answeredbythereceiving station(seeparagraph3).Whenmoregroupsthan oneareshownon thesamehalyard theymustbe separated by a tackline.Thetransmitting station should always hoist the signal where it canbemost easily seen by the re-ceiving station,that is, in suchaposition that theflags will blowoutclearand befreefrom smoke.Howtocall2.The identity signal ofthe station(s)addressed is to be hoisted with the signal (see Chapter 1, Section 4, Paragraph3, Page 6)If no identity signal is hoisted it will beunderstood that the signal is addressed to all stations within visual signalingdistanceIf it is not possible to determine the identity signal of the station to which it is desired to signal, the group "VF" = "You shouldhoist your identity signal"or “Cs"=What is the name or identity signal of your vessel (or station)?" should be hoisted first,atthesametimethestationwill hoistitsownidentitysignal.Thegroup"YQ"=Iwishtocommunicateby...(ComplementsTable 1, Chapter 2, Section 10, Page 104) with vessel bearing... from me"can also be used.Howtoanswersignals3. All stations to which signals are addressed or which are indicated in signals are to hoist the answering pennant at the dip assoon as they see each hoist and close up immediately, when they understand it, it is to be lowered to the dip as soon as the hoistis hauled down at the transmitting station,being hoisted close up again as soon as the next hoist is understood.Howtocompletea signal4.The transmitting station is to hoist the answering pennant singly after the last hoist of the signal to indicate that the signal iscompleted.Thereceiving station is to answerthis in a similarmannertoall otherhoists (seeparagraph3on this page)Howtoactwhen signals arenotunderstood5.Ifthereceivingstationcannotclearlydistinguishthesignal madetoit, it istokeeptheansweringpennantatthedip.Ifitcandistinguish the signal but cannot understand the meaning of it, it can hoist the following signals:"ZQ"“Yoursignalappearsincorrectlycoded.You should check andrepeat the whole",or"ZL"="Your signal hasbeenreceived but notunderstood"The use of substitutes6.Theuseofsubstitutes istoenablethesamesignalflag,eitheralphabeticalflag ornumeralpennant,toberepeatedoneormoretimes inthesamegroup,incaseonlyonesetofflagsiscarriedonboard.Thefirstsubstitutealwaysrepeatstheuppermostsignal flagofthatclassof flags which immediately precedes the substitute.The second substitute always repeats the second and the third substitute repeats thethirdsignalflag,countingfromthetopofthatclassofflagswhichimmediatelyprecedesthem.Nosubstitutecaneverbeusedmoretharonceinthesamegroup.TheansweringpennantwhenusedasadecimalpointistobedisregardedindeterminingwhichsubstitutetouseExample:Thesignal “VV"would be made as follows:Vfirst substituteThe number"110o" would be made by numeral pennants as follows:first substitute0third substituteThe signal“L2330"would bemadeasfollowsL23second substitute0In this case,the second substitutefollows a numeral pennant and therefore it can only repeat the second numeral in thegroup9
9 CHAPTER 1 SECTION 5: FLAG SIGNALING 1. As a general rule only one hoist should be shown at a time. Each hoist or group of hoists should be kept flying until it has been answered by the receiving station (see paragraph 3). When more groups than one are shown on the same halyard they must be separated by a tackline. The transmitting station should always hoist the signal where it can be most easily seen by the receiving station, that is, in such a position that the flags will blow out clear and be free from smoke. How to call 2. The identity signal of the station(s) addressed is to be hoisted with the signal (see Chapter 1, Section 4, Paragraph 3, Page 6). If no identity signal is hoisted it will be understood that the signal is addressed to all stations within visual signaling distance. If it is not possible to determine the identity signal of the station to which it is desired to signal, the group “VF” = “You should hoist your identity signal” or “CS” = “What is the name or identity signal of your vessel (or station)?” should be hoisted first; at the same time the station will hoist its own identity signal. The group “YQ” = “I wish to communicate by. (Complements Table 1, Chapter 2, Section 10, Page 104) with vessel bearing . . . from me” can also be used. How to answer signals 3. All stations to which signals are addressed or which are indicated in signals are to hoist the answering pennant at the dip as soon as they see each hoist and close up immediately, when they understand it; it is to be lowered to the dip as soon as the hoist is hauled down at the transmitting station, being hoisted close up again as soon as the next hoist is understood. How to complete a signal 4. The transmitting station is to hoist the answering pennant singly after the last hoist of the signal to indicate that the signal is completed. The receiving station is to answer this in a similar manner to all other hoists (see paragraph 3 on this page). How to act when signals are not understood 5. If the receiving station cannot clearly distinguish the signal made to it, it is to keep the answering pennant at the dip. If it can distinguish the signal but cannot understand the meaning of it, it can hoist the following signals: “ZQ” = “Your signal appears incorrectly coded. You should check and repeat the whole”, or “ZL” = “Your signal has been received but not understood”. The use of substitutes 6. The use of substitutes is to enable the same signal flag, either alphabetical flag or numeral pennant, to be repeated one or more times in the same group, in case only one set of flags is carried on board. The first substitute always repeats the uppermost signal flag of that class of flags which immediately precedes the substitute. The second substitute always repeats the second and the third substitute repeats the third signal flag, counting from the top of that class of flags which immediately precedes them. No substitute can ever be used more than once in the same group. The answering pennant when used as a decimal point is to be disregarded in determining which substitute to use. Example: The signal “VV” would be made as follows: V first substitute The number “1100” would be made by numeral pennants as follows: 1 first substitute 0 third substitute The signal “L 2330” would be made as follows: L 2 3 second substitute 0 In this case, the second substitute follows a numeral pennant and therefore it can only repeat the second numeral in the group
CHAPTER1.SIGNALINGINSTRUCTIONSHowto spell7. Names in the text of a signal are to be spelled out by means of the alphabetical flags. The signal YZ"="The words whichfollowareinplain languagecanbeused, if necessary.Useof theCodepennantbyships ofwar8.Whena ship ofwar wishes to communicate witha merchant vessel shewillhoist the Codepennant in a conspicuous position,andkeep it flyingduring the whole ofthe timethe signal is being made10
10 CHAPTER 1.—SIGNALING INSTRUCTIONS How to spell 7. Names in the text of a signal are to be spelled out by means of the alphabetical flags. The signal “YZ” = “The words which follow are in plain language” can be used, if necessary. Use of the Code pennant by ships of war 8. When a ship of war wishes to communicate with a merchant vessel she will hoist the Code pennant in a conspicuous position, and keep it flying during the whole of the time the signal is being made
CHAPTER 1SECTION6:FLASHINGLIGHT SIGNALING1. A signal made by flashing light is divided into the following parts:(a)The call.It consists ofthe general call or the identity signal ofthe station to be called. It is answered by the answeringsignalTheidentity.Thetransmitting station makesDE"followedbyits identitysignal orname.This will berepeated back(b)by the receiving station which then signals its own identity signal or name.This will alsobe repeated back by thetrans-mitting station.(c)Thetext.-This consistsofplainlanguageorCodegroups.WhenCodegroupsaretobeused theyshouldbeprecededbythesignal"YU".Wordsofplainlanguagemayalsobe inthetext,whenthesignal includesnames,places,etc.Receiptof each word or group is acknowledged by"T"(d)The ending.It consists of the ending signal "AR"which is answered by"R"2.if the entire text is in plain language the same procedure is to befollowed.The call and identity may be omitted when twostations haveestablishedcommunications andhavealreadyexchanged signals3. A list of procedure signals appears in Chapter 1, Section 10, Pages 20 and 21. Although the use of these signals is self-ex-planatory,thefollowingnotesmightbefounduseful:(a)The General call signal (or call for unknown station)AAAAAA"etc., is made to attract attention when wishing tosignal to all stations within visual signalingdistance or to a station whose name or identity signal is notknown.The callis continued until the station addressed answers.(b) The Answering signal "TTTT" etc., is made to answer the call and it is to be continued until the transmitting stationceasesto make thecall.The transmission starts with the“DE"followedby thename or identity signal ofthe transmittingstation(c)The letter "T" is used to indicate the receipt of each word or group.The Erase signal"EEEEEE"etc.,is used to indicatethat thelastgroup or wordwas signaled incorrectly.It istobedansweredwiththeerase signal.Whenanswered,thetransmitting station will repeatthelast word orgroup which wascorrectlysignaledandthenproceedwiththeremainderofthetransmission.(e)The Repeat signal"RPT"is to beused asfollows:(i)by the transmitting station to indicate that it is going torepeat("Irepeat").If such a repetition does notfollow imme-diately afler “"RPT", the signal should be interpreted as a request to the receiving station to repeat the signal received(""Repeatwhatvouhavereceived""):(ii)by the receiving station to request for a repetition of the signal transmitted ("Repeat what you have sent"),(ii) The Special Repetition signals"AA","AB","WA","WB", and“BN"are made by the receiving station as appro-priate. In each case they are made immediately after the repeat signal "RPT".Examples."RPTABKL"-"Repeat all before groupKL""RPTBN'boats''survivors'"“Repeatall between words"boats'and'survivors'"Ifa signal is not understood,or,when decoded, it is not intelligible,the repeat signal is notused.Thereceiving stationmustthen make the appropriatesignal from the Code, e.g.,"Your signal has been received butnot understoodA correctly received repetition is acknowledged by the signal “OK"The same signal may be used as an affirmative(f)answertoaquestion(Itiscorrect)The Ending signal "AR" is used in all cases to indicate the end ofa signal or the end ofthe transmission. The receiving(g)station answers with the signal"R"=“"Received"orIhave received your last signal"(h)The transmitting station makes the signal "Cs" when requesting the name or identity signal of the receiving station.The Waiting signal or Period signal "As" is to be used as follows1(i)Whenmade independentlyoraftertheend ofasignal it indicatesthattheother stationmust waitforfurther commu-nications(waitingsignal);(i) When it is inserted between groups it serves to separate them (period signal) to avoid confusion.G)The signal "C" should be used to indicate an affirmative statement or an affirmative reply to an interrogative signal; thesignal“RQ"should be used to indicate a question.For a negative reply to an interrogative signal or for a negative state-ment, the signal "N" should be used in visual or sound signaling and the signal "NO" should be used for voice or radiotransmission(k)When the signals“N"or"NO",and"RQ"areused to change an affirmative signal into a negative statement or intoa11
11 CHAPTER 1 SECTION 6: FLASHING LIGHT SIGNALING 1. A signal made by flashing light is divided into the following parts: (a) The call.—It consists of the general call or the identity signal of the station to be called. It is answered by the answering signal. (b) The identity.—The transmitting station makes “DE” followed by its identity signal or name. This will be repeated back by the receiving station which then signals its own identity signal or name. This will also be repeated back by the transmitting station. (c) The text.—This consists of plain language or Code groups. When Code groups are to be used they should be preceded by the signal “YU”. Words of plain language may also be in the text, when the signal includes names, places, etc. Receipt of each word or group is acknowledged by “T”. (d) The ending.—It consists of the ending signal “AR” which is answered by “R”. 2. If the entire text is in plain language the same procedure is to be followed. The call and identity may be omitted when two stations have established communications and have already exchanged signals. 3. A list of procedure signals appears in Chapter 1, Section 10, Pages 20 and 21. Although the use of these signals is self-explanatory, the following notes might be found useful: (a) The General call signal (or call for unknown station) “AA AA AA” etc., is made to attract attention when wishing to signal to all stations within visual signaling distance or to a station whose name or identity signal is not known. The call is continued until the station addressed answers. (b) The Answering signal “TTTT” etc., is made to answer the call and it is to be continued until the transmitting station ceases to make the call. The transmission starts with the “DE” followed by the name or identity signal of the transmitting station. (c) The letter “T” is used to indicate the receipt of each word or group. (d) The Erase signal “EEEEEE” etc., is used to indicate that the last group or word was signaled incorrectly. It is to be answered with the erase signal. When answered, the transmitting station will repeat the last word or group which was correctly signaled and then proceed with the remainder of the transmission. (e) The Repeat signal “RPT” is to be used as follows: (i) by the transmitting station to indicate that it is going to repeat (“I repeat”). If such a repetition does not follow immediately after “RPT”, the signal should be interpreted as a request to the receiving station to repeat the signal received (“Repeat what you have received”); (ii) by the receiving station to request for a repetition of the signal transmitted (“Repeat what you have sent”); (iii) The Special Repetition signals “AA”, “AB”, “WA”, “WB”, and “BN” are made by the receiving station as appropriate. In each case they are made immediately after the repeat signal “RPT”. Examples: “RPT AB KL”—“Repeat all before group KL”. “RPT BN 'boats' 'survivors' ”—“Repeat all between words 'boats' and 'survivors' ”. If a signal is not understood, or, when decoded, it is not intelligible, the repeat signal is not used. The receiving station must then make the appropriate signal from the Code, e.g., “Your signal has been received but not understood”. (f) A correctly received repetition is acknowledged by the signal “OK”. The same signal may be used as an affirmative answer to a question (“It is correct”). (g) The Ending signal “AR” is used in all cases to indicate the end of a signal or the end of the transmission. The receiving station answers with the signal “R” = “Received” or “I have received your last signal”. (h) The transmitting station makes the signal “CS” when requesting the name or identity signal of the receiving station. (i) The Waiting signal or Period signal “AS” is to be used as follows: (i) When made independently or after the end of a signal it indicates that the other station must wait for further communications (waiting signal); (ii) When it is inserted between groups it serves to separate them (period signal) to avoid confusion. (j) The signal “C” should be used to indicate an affirmative statement or an affirmative reply to an interrogative signal; the signal “RQ” should be used to indicate a question. For a negative reply to an interrogative signal or for a negative statement, the signal “N” should be used in visual or sound signaling and the signal “NO” should be used for voice or radio transmission. (k) When the signals “N” or “NO”, and “RQ” are used to change an affirmative signal into a negative statement or into a
CHAPTER1.SIGNALINGINSTRUCTIONSquestion, respectively, they should be transmitted after the main signal.Examples:"CY N" (or"NO" as appropriate)=“(Boat(s) is(are) not coming to you.""CW RQ"="Is boat/raft on board?"The signals"C","N"or"No", and"RQ"cannot be used in conjunction with single-letter signals.12
12 CHAPTER 1.—SIGNALING INSTRUCTIONS question, respectively, they should be transmitted after the main signal. Examples: “CY N” (or “NO” as appropriate) = “(Boat(s) is(are) not coming to you.” “CW RQ” = “Is boat/raft on board?” The signals “C”, “N” or “NO”, and “RQ” cannot be used in conjunction with single-letter signals