| Spelling word | Meaning | |
| A | Alpha | „I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.“ |
| B | Bravo | „I am taking in, discharging, or carrying dangerous cargo.“ |
| C | Charlie | „Yes.“ With a triangular cut-out (C double pennant) 1946-49 Identification sign of German ships |
| D | Delta | „Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficulty.“ |
| E | Echo | „I am altering my course to starboard.“ |
| F | Foxtrot | „I am disabled; communicate with me.“ |
| G | Golf | „I require a pilot.“ |
| H | Hotel | „I have a pilot on board.“ |
| I | India | „I am altering my course to port.“ |
| J | Juliett | „Keep well clear of me. I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board.“ |
| K | Kilo | „I wish to communicate with you.“ |
| L | Lima | „You should stop your vessel instantly.“ (e.g. demand by the water police) |
| M | Mike | „My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.“ |
| N | November | „Negative.“ |
| O | Oscar | „Man overboard!“ |
| P | Papa | This flag (also called The Blue Peter) is used to show that a vessel is about to proceed to sea (in less than 24 hours). In harbour: All persons should report on board and local suppliers should present outstanding invoices. / „My nets have come fast upon an obstruction“ (at sea). |
| Q | Quebec | „My vessel is 'healthy' and I request free pratique.“ The signal flag "Q" is used as a customs pennant, but is also called a quarantine flag. A ship flying two Quebecs ("QQ"), or "Double Quebec", is signaling: "I require health clearance" , formerly more drastically: "My ship is suspected of being infected." |
| R | Romeo | No ICS meaning as a single flag. Historical significance was the indication of a navigable passage on the opposite course. |
| S | Sierra | „I am operating astern propulsion.“ (in particular when the vessel is still moving forward) |
| T | Tango | „Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.“ |
| U | Uniform | „You are running into danger.“ |
| V | Victor | „I require assistance.“ |
| W | Whiskey | „I require medical assistance.“ |
| X | Xray | „Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.“ |
| Y | Yankee | „I am dragging my anchor.“ |
| Z | Zulu | „I require a tug.“ / „I am shooting nets (by fishing vessels).“ |
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