sailboat racing signal flags

Sailboat Racing Flags and Signals

Are you ready to hit the open water and expe­ri­ence the exhil­a­rat­ing world of sail­boat rac­ing? Before you set sail, it’s cru­cial to under­stand the mean­ing behind the var­i­ous flags and sig­nals used dur­ing races . In this arti­cle, we’ll dive into the Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals, explore prepara­to­ry, course, protest, aban­don­ment, penal­ty, safe­ty, and emer­gency sig­nals.

Get ready to nav­i­gate the rac­ing scene with con­fi­dence and sail towards vic­to­ry!

Key Take­aways:

• The Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals con­sists of 26 flags and 10 numer­al pen­nants , which are used for safe­ty and com­mu­ni­ca­tion on the water.
• Prepara­to­ry flags and sig­nals such as the ‘P’ flag, ‘I’ flag, ‘S’ flag, and ‘X’ flag are cru­cial for sailors to under­stand and respond to, as they indi­cate impor­tant instruc­tions and changes in the race .
• Course and mark sig­nals pro­vide infor­ma­tion about the direc­tion to sail and the marks them­selves, help­ing sailors nav­i­gate the race­course effec­tive­ly and make informed deci­sions.
• Protest flags and sig­nals, includ­ing the red flag with a white cross, blue flag, yel­low flag, and red flag, are impor­tant for ensur­ing fair com­pe­ti­tion and resolv­ing dis­putes between boats.

Table of Con­tents

The International Code of Signals

You should learn the Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals, as it con­sists of 26 flags and 10 numer­al pen­nants that can con­vey impor­tant mes­sages while sail­ing. These sig­nals are essen­tial for main­tain­ing safe­ty and com­mu­ni­ca­tion on the water. By famil­iar­iz­ing your­self with this code, you can ensure that you’re pre­pared for any sit­u­a­tion that may arise while sail­ing.

The Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals is a uni­ver­sal sys­tem used by sailors around the world . Its sim­plic­i­ty and effec­tive­ness make it a valu­able tool for com­mu­ni­ca­tion at sea. Each flag and pen­nant rep­re­sents a spe­cif­ic mes­sage or instruc­tion , allow­ing sailors to con­vey impor­tant infor­ma­tion with­out rely­ing on ver­bal com­mu­ni­ca­tion.

Learn­ing the Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals is par­tic­u­lar­ly impor­tant for those who desire free­dom on the water. By under­stand­ing and using these sig­nals, you can com­mu­ni­cate with oth­er boats, request assis­tance, or inform oth­ers of poten­tial dan­gers. This knowl­edge empow­ers you to nav­i­gate the open seas con­fi­dent­ly and inde­pen­dent­ly.

In addi­tion to enhanc­ing your safe­ty, know­ing the Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals also allows you to ful­ly immerse your­self in the sail­ing com­mu­ni­ty. It’s a lan­guage shared by sailors world­wide, con­nect­ing you to a glob­al net­work of adven­tur­ers who share your love for the sea.

Preparatory Flags and Signals

Make sure to brush up on the mean­ing of the prepara­to­ry flags and sig­nals before your next sail, as they can indi­cate impor­tant infor­ma­tion about the race or event. These flags and sig­nals are essen­tial for every sailor who desires the free­dom to com­pete in sail­boat rac­ing.

When you see the prepara­to­ry flag ‘P,’ it sig­nals that the race is about to start, and you should be ready to go . Anoth­er impor­tant sig­nal is the ‘I’ flag, which indi­cates a change in the start­ing line . Pay atten­tion to this flag, as it could affect your strat­e­gy and give you a com­pet­i­tive advan­tage.

Dur­ing the race, you may encounter the ‘S’ flag, which means you must take a penal­ty for a rule infringe­ment . Don’t ignore this flag, as it could cost you valu­able time and posi­tion. Addi­tion­al­ly, the ‘X’ flag indi­cates that the race has been aban­doned or post­poned . If you see this flag, be pre­pared to fol­low the instruc­tions giv­en by the race com­mit­tee.

Under­stand­ing and respond­ing to these prepara­to­ry flags and sig­nals is cru­cial for any sailor who val­ues their free­dom to com­pete in sail­boat rac­ing. So, take the time to famil­iar­ize your­self with them and be ready to nav­i­gate the race­course with con­fi­dence and skill.

Course and Mark Signals

When approach­ing a mark, be sure to keep an eye out for the appro­pri­ate course and mark sig­nals to nav­i­gate the race­course effec­tive­ly. These sig­nals are cru­cial for your suc­cess as a sailor. Free­dom is at the core of sail­boat rac­ing, and under­stand­ing these sig­nals will give you the free­dom to make informed deci­sions on the water.

As you approach a mark, look for the course sig­nal dis­played by the race com­mit­tee . This sig­nal indi­cates the direc­tion you need to sail after round­ing the mark. It could be a sim­ple arrow point­ing left or right, or it may con­sist of mul­ti­ple arrows indi­cat­ing a more com­plex course. Pay atten­tion to this sig­nal to ensure you take the cor­rect path and stay on course.

In addi­tion to the course sig­nal, keep an eye out for mark sig­nals . These sig­nals pro­vide impor­tant infor­ma­tion about the mark itself. They can indi­cate a change in the mark’s posi­tion, a change in the round­ing direc­tion, or even a change in the mark itself . Under­stand­ing these sig­nals will help you antic­i­pate any changes in the race­course and adjust your strat­e­gy accord­ing­ly.

Protest Flags and Signals

When you see a protest flag in sail­boat rac­ing, it’s impor­tant to under­stand its mean­ing. The most com­mon protest flag is a red flag with a white cross, indi­cat­ing that a boat is protest­ing anoth­er boat for a rule vio­la­tion.

If you find your­self in a protest sit­u­a­tion, it’s cru­cial to know how to resolve it prop­er­ly to ensure fair com­pe­ti­tion.

Meaning of Protest Flags

You should famil­iar­ize your­self with the mean­ing of protest flags before par­tic­i­pat­ing in sail­boat rac­ing. Under­stand­ing these flags is essen­tial to ensure fair com­pe­ti­tion and main­tain the free­dom that rac­ing rep­re­sents.

Here are three impor­tant protest flags and their mean­ings:

• Blue Flag : This flag indi­cates that a boat intends to protest anoth­er boat for break­ing a rule. It’s impor­tant to keep a close eye on this flag, as it sig­ni­fies a poten­tial dis­pute between com­peti­tors.
• Yel­low Flag : When this flag is dis­played, it means that a protest hear­ing is being held. This flag warns all par­tic­i­pants to be cau­tious and respect­ful dur­ing the hear­ing process.
• Red Flag : The red flag is raised when a protest has been with­drawn. It sig­ni­fies that the dis­pute has been resolved or aban­doned.

Common Protest Signal

Don’t under­es­ti­mate the sig­nif­i­cance of famil­iar­iz­ing your­self with the com­mon protest sig­nal dur­ing sail­boat rac­ing. It’s cru­cial to under­stand this sig­nal as it can great­ly impact your race and the free­dom you desire on the open water.

When you see a boat rais­ing a protest flag, typ­i­cal­ly a red flag, it means that they believe anoth­er boat has vio­lat­ed a rac­ing rule. This sig­nal sig­ni­fies their inten­tion to file a protest against the oth­er boat’s actions.

As a sailor, know­ing this sig­nal allows you to be proac­tive in avoid­ing poten­tial con­flicts and ensur­ing fair com­pe­ti­tion. By being aware of the com­mon protest sig­nal, you can nav­i­gate the race­course with con­fi­dence, know­ing that you’re respect­ing the rules and uphold­ing the free­dom that sail­boat rac­ing rep­re­sents.

Resolving Protest Situations

To effec­tive­ly resolve protest sit­u­a­tions dur­ing sail­boat rac­ing, it’s impor­tant that you remain calm and coop­er­ate with the race offi­cials. Remem­ber, your free­dom to enjoy the race depends on your abil­i­ty to han­dle these sit­u­a­tions with grace and respect.

Here are three key points to keep in mind:

• Com­mu­ni­cate clear­ly: When pre­sent­ing your protest, make sure your mes­sage is con­cise and eas­i­ly under­stood. Use sim­ple lan­guage and avoid any unnec­es­sary aggres­sion or hos­til­i­ty.
• Fol­low pro­ce­dures: Famil­iar­ize your­self with the rules and reg­u­la­tions of the race. Under­stand the prop­er steps to take when fil­ing a protest and be pre­pared to pro­vide any evi­dence or wit­ness­es that sup­port your case.
• Be open to com­pro­mise: Some­times, find­ing a mid­dle ground is the best way to resolve a protest sit­u­a­tion. Lis­ten to the oth­er par­ty’s per­spec­tive and be will­ing to nego­ti­ate a solu­tion that’s fair for every­one involved.

Abandonment Flags and Signals

Grab the binoc­u­lars and look for any aban­don­ment flags or sig­nals on near­by boats. As a sailor who desires free­dom, you under­stand the impor­tance of being aware of poten­tial dan­gers on the water. Aban­don­ment flags and sig­nals are cru­cial in ensur­ing the safe­ty of all sailors. These flags and sig­nals indi­cate that a boat or its crew may require assis­tance or are in need of imme­di­ate res­cue. By spot­ting these flags or sig­nals, you can take action and pro­vide the nec­es­sary help, ensur­ing that every­one can con­tin­ue enjoy­ing the free­dom of sail­ing.

To help you bet­ter under­stand the var­i­ous aban­don­ment flags and sig­nals, here is a table high­light­ing some of the most com­mon­ly used ones:

Penalty Flags and Signals

Keep an eye out for any penal­ty flags or sig­nals, as they can indi­cate rule vio­la­tions and affect the out­come of the race. In sail­boat rac­ing, it’s cru­cial to under­stand the mean­ing behind these flags and sig­nals to ensure fair com­pe­ti­tion and main­tain the spir­it of free­dom on the water. Here are three key points to con­sid­er:

• Penal­ty flags: These flags are raised by race offi­cials to indi­cate a rule vio­la­tion by a boat. The flags come in dif­fer­ent col­ors, such as yel­low or blue, and are typ­i­cal­ly dis­played along­side a num­ber, rep­re­sent­ing the spe­cif­ic rule bro­ken. Be vig­i­lant in spot­ting these flags, as they can result in time penal­ties or dis­qual­i­fi­ca­tion.
• Sig­nals from oth­er boats: Pay atten­tion to the actions of oth­er boats around you. If a com­peti­tor rais­es a flag or makes a spe­cif­ic hand sig­nal, it could be a warn­ing that you have vio­lat­ed a rule. Keep an open mind and be ready to adjust your tac­tics to avoid penal­ties.
• Com­mu­ni­ca­tion with race offi­cials: If you have any doubts or con­cerns about a poten­tial rule vio­la­tion, don’t hes­i­tate to con­tact the race com­mit­tee. They’re there to ensure fair­ness and resolve any dis­putes that arise dur­ing the race. Main­tain a respect­ful and open line of com­mu­ni­ca­tion to uphold the prin­ci­ples of free­dom and fair play.

Safety and Emergency Signals

If you encounter any safe­ty or emer­gency sig­nals dur­ing the race, please fol­low the instruc­tions pro­vid­ed and ensure the well-being of your­self and oth­ers. Your safe­ty is of utmost impor­tance, and it is cru­cial to under­stand the mean­ing behind these sig­nals. To help you nav­i­gate the race course, here is a table out­lin­ing some com­mon safe­ty and emer­gency sig­nals you may encounter:

So, now you know the var­i­ous sail­boat rac­ing flags and sig­nals used in com­pe­ti­tions. The Inter­na­tion­al Code of Sig­nals pro­vides a stan­dard­ized sys­tem for com­mu­ni­ca­tion on the water.

From prepara­to­ry flags to protest flags, each sig­nal plays a vital role in ensur­ing fair and safe races. Under­stand­ing these sig­nals is cru­cial for all sailors and race offi­cials.

By fol­low­ing the cor­rect flags and sig­nals, par­tic­i­pants can nav­i­gate the race­course effec­tive­ly and respond appro­pri­ate­ly to any emer­gen­cies or penal­ties that may arise.

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Racing Flag Signals

Sail races are governed with flags and sound signals to indicate flag changes. The flags used are taken from the International maritime signal flag set. During a race and for any signal concerning the race, these flags are defined in the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing but the signal can be modified by the Sailing Instructions.

The raising (hoisting) or removing of a visual signal is accompanied by the emission of a sound signal to draw attention to the new signal. The type of the sound signal (one short sound, two short sounds, one long sound, etc.) is described by the rule according to the type of signal.

Click here for a link to "Racing Rules Of Sailing" and usual meanings of racing flags.

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(Optional - Depends on starting method) - Denotes that orange smoke has been lit and there are 3 minutes or less until the start of the race.

This is a commercial grade nautical product designed for outdoor use. It is made using our 200 Denier Outdoor Nylon fabric and includes sewn letters and anchor logo. Your flag is finished with a heavy white canvas heading and strong brass grommets. ...

Our Checkered, Black & Whit enylon flag. Perfect for racing events, auto shows, estate sales and auctions. Printed on Commercial Grade Nylon material, is strong and sturdy, with a high-gloss look. Includes canvas heading and grommets.  

Our Checkered, Black & White poly/cotton flag. Perfect for racing events, auto shows, estate sales and auctions. Printed on poly/cotton material, is strong and sturdy, with a high-gloss look. Includes canvas heading and grommets. In Power Boat...

When displayed the race committee boat is in position at the finishing line.

The Black Flag Rule 30.3 will be in effect. A boat within the triangle formed by the ends of the line and the first mark during the minute before the start will be disqualified without a hearing.

Set Sail to Victory: Mastering Sailboat Racing Flags and Signals

Sailboat racing is a thrilling and challenging sport that requires skill, strategy, and knowledge of sailing rules and regulations. One of the essential components of sailboat racing is the use of flags and signals to communicate important information to the sailors.

Sailboat racing flags and signals are a standardized system used to convey messages about the course, starting times, penalties, and other critical information. In this article, we will explore the various sailboat racing flags and signals and their importance in the sport.

The Importance of Sailboat Racing Flags and Signals

Sailboat racing flags and signals are a set of visual cues used to communicate important information to sailors during a race. These signals can indicate the start and end of a race, changes in wind direction, or other important information that can affect a sailor’s strategy.

Understanding these signals is critical for any sailor who wants to compete in a sailboat race. Some common sailboat racing flags and signals include the “preparatory” flag, which indicates the start of the race is imminent, and the “postponement” flag, which indicates a delay in the start of the race.

Sailboat racing flags and signals are essential to the smooth and safe conduct of sailboat races. Without these flags and signals, sailors would be unable to navigate the race course safely or understand the starting times, course changes, or penalties.

Flags and signals provide a standardized system of communication that ensures that all sailors have the same information at the same time. This, in turn, promotes fair competition and ensures that all sailors have an equal opportunity to win.

The Basic Sailboat Racing Flags and Signals

The World Sailing ( WS ) is the world governing body for the sport of sailing (until 14 November 2015 named as International Sailing Federation or ISAF) has established a standardized system of sailboat racing flags and signals that are used worldwide. These flags and signals communicate essential information about the race, such as the starting times , course changes , penalties , and finish line . Below are the most common sailboat racing flags and signals:

The Preparatory Signal

The preparatory signal is the first signal made before the start of a sailboat race. This signal indicates that the race is about to start and that the boats should be prepared to start racing. The preparatory signal is usually made 5 to 10 minutes before the start of the race, depending on the size and type of race.

During the preparatory signal, the race committee displays the preparatory flag, which is a solid white flag with a blue horizontal stripe. The preparatory flag is displayed until the starting signal is made. Boats that cross the starting line before the starting signal is made are considered to have started early and may be penalized.

The Starting Signal

The starting signal is the second signal made in a sailboat race. This signal indicates that the race has officially started, and the boats can begin racing. The starting signal is usually made immediately after the preparatory signal, although there may be a delay if conditions are not suitable for racing.

The starting signal is made using the starting gun or horn. Boats must cross the starting line after the starting signal is made, or they will be considered to have started late and may lose valuable time.

The General Recall Signal

The general recall signal is made when the race committee determines that the starting sequence has not been fair or equal for all boats. This signal indicates that the race will be restarted.

During the general recall signal, the race committee displays the first substitute flag, which is a blue and white flag with a blue square in the center. Boats must return to the starting line and prepare to start again.

The Individual Recall Signal

The individual recall signal is made when a specific boat is identified as starting early. This signal indicates that the identified boat must return to the starting line and start again.

During the individual recall signal, the race committee displays the X flag, which is a black flag with a white square in the center. The identified boat must return to the starting line and start again after all other boats have started.

The Postponement Signal

The postponement signal is made when conditions are not suitable for racing. This signal indicates that the start of the race will be delayed until conditions improve.

During the postponement signal, the race committee displays the AP flag, which is a solid blue flag. Boats must return to the starting area and wait for further instructions.

The Abandonment Signal

The abandonment signal is made when conditions become too dangerous for racing. This signal indicates that the race will be abandoned, and all boats must return to shore.

During the abandonment signal, the race committee displays the N flag, which is a solid black flag. Boats must stop racing and return to shore immediately.

The Shortened Course Signal

The shortened course signal is made when conditions are not suitable for completing the full race course. This signal indicates that the race course will be shortened to ensure the safety of the boats and sailors.

During the shortened course signal, the race committee displays the S flag, which is a solid white flag with a blue square in the center. Boats must complete the shortened course and cross the finish line.

The Finish Signal

The finish signal is the final signal made in a sailboat race. This signal indicates that the race is over, and the boats have completed the race course. The finish signal is usually made when the boats cross the finish line.

During the finish signal, the race committee displays the finishing flag, which is a solid white flag with a blue vertical stripe. Boats must cross the finish line and complete the race. The boats are then ranked based on the order in

Additional Sailboat Racing Flags and Signals

In addition to the basic sailboat racing flags and signals, there are other flags and signals used in sailboat racing. These flags and signals communicate additional information about the race, such as penalties and rule enforcement. Below are some additional sailboat racing flags and signals:

The Penalty System

In sailboat racing, the penalty system is an important mechanism to ensure fair play and discourage cheating. The penalty system involves the use of penalty turns, which is a requirement for a boat to make a 360-degree turn as a result of committing a rule violation. The penalty turns must be completed as soon as possible, and failure to do so will result in further penalties.

The penalty system is signaled by the display of the “yellow flag” by the race committee boat. This flag is accompanied by a horn blast, which signifies that a penalty has been given to a boat. If a boat receives a penalty, it must complete the penalty turns as soon as possible.

The Black Flag Rule

The black flag rule is a sailing rule that is used to discourage boats from starting too early. Under this rule, if a boat is over the starting line when the starting signal is given, it is disqualified from the race.

The black flag is signaled by displaying a black flag with a white square in the middle. This flag is displayed with the one-minute signal before the start of the race. If a boat is over the starting line when the race starts, and the black flag is displayed, the boat is disqualified.

The Blue Flag Rule

The blue flag rule is used to indicate that a boat is in danger and requires assistance. The blue flag is displayed by a boat that requires assistance, and this signal must be acknowledged by other boats in the race.

The blue flag is displayed by a boat in distress or requiring assistance, and other boats must immediately make way for the distressed boat. If a boat fails to acknowledge the blue flag signal, it may be subject to penalties.

The Red Flag Rule

The red flag rule is used to s ignal that a race has been stopped due to an emergency situation . The red flag is displayed by the race committee boat, and all boats must immediately stop racing.

If the red flag is displayed, all boats must immediately stop racing and proceed to the designated area. The race will be restarted once the emergency situation has been resolved.

Sailboat racing flags and signals are a crucial part of the sport of sailboat racing. They provide a standardized system of communication that ensures fair competition and safe racing. Understanding these flags and signals is essential for all sailors who want to compete in sailboat racing.

What happens if a boat does not follow the sailboat racing flags and signals?

If a boat does not follow the sailboat racing flags and signals, it may be penalized or disqualified from the race.

Are sailboat racing flags and signals the same worldwide?

Yes, sailboat racing flags and signals are standardized worldwide by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

What is the penalty for starting early in sailboat racing?

The penalty for starting early in sailboat racing is usually a 360-degree turn penalty.

How are safety rules enforced in sailboat racing?

Safety rules are enforced in sailboat racing using the red flag rule. If a boat is identified as posing a safety risk, it will be disqualified from the race.

Can sailboat racing flags and signals change during a race?

Yes, sailboat racing flags and signals can change during a race due to weather conditions or other safety concerns.

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I worked as an officer in the deck department on various types of vessels, including oil and chemical tankers, LPG carriers, and even reefer and TSHD in the early years. Currently employed as Marine Surveyor carrying cargo, draft, bunker, and warranty survey.

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Race Signals 2021-2024: Summary, Quiz, and Worksheet

Think you know the race signals? Here are some activities to challenge yourself. We’ve updated the material to include the changes for the 2021-2024 racing rules of sailing – the V flag, blue flag, and orange flag were added.

Race Signals Summary

Here’s a summary of all the race signals , directly from the 2021-2024 rules. If needed, study this before you take the quiz. If you have trouble remembering the signals, you could download it and laminate to store onboard.

Online Quiz

Here’s a link to an online quiz on the signals. The quiz is free, but you need to log in as a SailZing user. Don’t have an account? Register here .

Here’s a race signals worksheet to challenge yourself or your sailing school students. Simply download the worksheet and fill in the blanks for each flag shape:

• Name of flag (X, I, etc.)
• Number of sounds when flag is raised and/or lowered
• Meaning of flag

When finished, view the answer key .

Related Content:

SailZing Racing Rules Category World Sailing – Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024

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Signal Flags And Their Meanings

Last Updated by

Capt Chris German

June 15, 2022

Signal flags harken back to a bygone era before VHF and cell phones. At one time, flags were the cornerstone of every well operated ship or military unit’s communication system, signaling maneuvers, emergencies and other general information for crew and comrades to receive with fear and trepidation.

All too often now, signal flags are reserved for senior citizen sailors with their weekend power squadron exercises and colorful adornment for the local Yacht Club Martini Mixer.

But deep in the annals of the internet, I found several uses for signal flags that have otherwise been forgotten and it is because they have been forgotten by the masses that their function is brought into question.

After all, a signal or message is only useful if someone is there to understand it. Much like fog signals, if a horn blows and no one knows what it means, is it really a signal or just noise pollution?

If a flag that is flown without anyone's understanding is it a useful flag?

One of the most recognizable flags we have is Old Glory and the only reason she is so revered is because we all think we know what she stands for.

What if, like the rotary dial phone, all the Millennials all stopped knowing what Old Glory stood for, would we still have a reason to fly it?

I was talking with my father-in-law, an Annapolis Grad (class of ‘69) and long time Navy Pilot who flew with the fleet from New Zealand to New York and everywhere in between. If anyone was supposed to know what a “Zulu” flag looked like, it was him.

But alas his Navy training failed him when we started to quiz him on the signal flag alphabet one afternoon last Christmas. Blame it on the wassail if you will, but when the Captain forgets a flag, one must begin to question it’s efficacy as a universally understood signal.

If you want to join the sailing nerd and sea scouts and memorize the entire alphabet and number system of signal flags for posterity, perhaps you would like to know some of the other uses signal flags might offer to common (or not so common) sailors.

Table of contents

Racing Signals

First up, its racing signals. Spend enough time in the beer can races and you're bound to see a committee boat sporting a few signal flags every once in a while.

They are used to indicate info about races and course changes to a fleet. They are far more functional than a radio in a dinghy race, as lasers tend to flip and vhfs tend to sink.

So using a signal flag for all to see is much more effective and certainly a ton more salty. I sourced this description of racing meanings from sailing flags here .

Most big name yacht clubs and racing syndicates use flags and horns in a regatta to some degree or another, but only the most preeminent do so with any kind of standardized manner.

Generally speaking the more hoity toity the yacht club, the more they use flags in their races because they want to (a) be elitist and (b) can afford to buy the flags which retail for big bucks.

But if you find yourself aboard a committee boat in South Africa you best review the flags at the link above - but for everyone else, here’s a sample:

Common Flags

While the racing world has co-opt the use of flags for regattas, there remains other uses for signal flags which if your savvy can be quite useful when cruising to strange International ports of call or miraculously time travel to the decks of a World War II aircraft carrier.

These uses have included the most commonly known flags such as the diver down flag or Alpha flag and the courtesy flags which don’t seem to have any standardized meaning at all but are used in all sorts of ports from Berma to Bimini.

And in this day and age, international cruisers are well aware of the ‘Q” flag which is used to indicate that a newly arrived vessel is free of disease.

In other times this flag meant a “quarantine” was in effect for your boat when arriving in new ports of call but that signal has been replaced by the Lima Flag indicating that one is to stop all operations immediately.  

If you aim to island hop in the little latitudes you would be well to understand and commit these most commonly used flags to memory, but just in case, hang on to the others in the back of your mind.

You can get a great run down of the flags by looking at any Sea Scouting Manual or by going here .

Buying Signal Flags

If you want to run out and get yourself a set of signal flags, be aware that there are lots of cheap knock offs and many that aren’t worth the $300 price tag they soak you for at your local marina.

Signal flags should be made of durable canvas or nylon. Brass grommets and sturdy cotton lines should be part of the package and make sure they are large enough to be seen from a distance.

Those little 6 inch jobs don’t cut it from a mile and half off though sea spray and blowing sand. Mine are at least 36” long and can be seen from Space if Google ever decides to look my way again.

I must admit I love my flags. I inherited an almost complete set from a boat that I dreamed of restoring that was raced in the Washington DC area for 20 years.

When I pulled them out the stink-drenched hull, they smelled like diesel and were coated with black mold. But a soak in laundry detergent and an airing in a stiff Carolina breeze on a sunny day and they were much more tolerable.

So much so that my wife didn’t make me throw them out. I used them to celebrate the holidays by dressing ship in my Hunter at Cape Lookout on the 4rth of July and Labor Day and as a marketing ploy to get people to want to take sailing lessons from me on the waterfront of Beaufort.

I dreamed of stringing them up the front and down to the stern in my 42’ endeavour but alas Hurricane Florence took her before I could ever dress her up, so I stuck them in storage in a laundry basket and will use them once I acquire my dream boat, a 60 foot catamaran from Australia.

Given that they are so expensive, $315 for a small set from Landfall Navigation I would suggest reading the manufacturer’s methods on care.

Caring For Your Flags

Make sure you let them dry out before packing them away, even on a sunny day. The mere fact that they are flown by the water means they will acquire moisture that will rot them in a matter of days if packed away wet.

I would also suggest you treat them as you would your sails.

• A gentle detergent and lots of fresh water every spring and fall.
• Fly them regularly to make sure they don’t get stiff or dry rot.
• Pack them in a waterproof bag or tote and if you can find them, throw in a few packs of those silica desiccants to dry up any ambient moisture and keep them fresh.
• You can also treat them with tea tree oil to inhibit mold and mildew growth and slow down fading.

Dressing Ship

Now let’s talk about “dressing ship”. There is a way to do it and a way not to do it.

Too many lines and halyards can create havoc on a windy day and the worst is if one comes undone and you fly your halyard.

My recommendation is use your jib halyard and attach it to the middle of the string of flags and pull the flags up that way, fore and aft.

You can run one string up the forestay with the jib halyard and one up the back stay with the main halyard but then you have no main halyard to fly Old Glory off the back stay and double your chances of flying your halyard if something goes wrong.

Some say you should alternate number pennants and letter flags, but I say use what you got and fly em proudly.

If you’re on the dock, prep your flags on the dock or in a grassy area, but if you have to do it on the deck of your boat, watch out so that they don’t blow overboard.

Most of the time I have used them, they attach one to the other with a loop and wooden slug. You slide the loop of one over the slug of the next and continue with the same pattern until you have enough to reach from your bow to mast top to stem. Make sure the first one is right side up and all the others should be right.

Run the flags, up to your mast and then down to your stern. If your boat has a lot of freeboard and you have a lot of flags, you might even attach a sinker to the loose end of the bottom flag at your stern and bow. It's kind of a show off thing to do and people might look at you with a bit of envy or disgust depending on your zip code, but this way you can show how big your boat is and how much money you have.

Just make sure you cleat off the string of flags that is up the mast before you hang one to the waterline or the whole string will fly up in a breeze and wrap around your mast.

When To Dress Ship

Now when to dress ship? Basically whenever you want to wear a dress or tie, you should dress your ship too.

Ties are rarely welcome on a sailboat and dresses are only welcome if they are flowy and can blow up at the right moments - so instead of getting dressed up, why don’t you dress your ship instead?

I think any federal holiday is a good time and every high holiday as well. Stick em up at Thanksgiving and don’t take em down until New Years Day and you’ll cover all the cultural bases with minimal work.

Birthdays and Anniversaries are always a great time to do it and if you have the flags, spell out your hubby’s name or the name of the birthday celebrator in flags.

Just make sure you tell everyone that is what you did, because most people don’t know what they mean.

One of my favorite Jimmy Buffet lyrics is when he is talking about the birth of his father in Havana Harbor and all the ships celebrate his birth by dressing ship.

In his song “False Echoes” he writes,

“On the old Chicamauga the Signal Jacks flew And the message they spelled out caused a great ballyhoo Every ship in Havana then hoisted away All the pennants were 'a flyin' on my dad's first birthday”

Man I was born at the wrong time.

So that’s my take on signal flags and the sailor. If you got ‘em, fly ‘em and have fun with them. They do have meanings and if you decide to wander to St. Somewhere or aim to be the next Dennis Conner, you should probably know what they mean.

But for the rest of us here in mainland America, they are a breathtaking sight to behold when flown on someone’s birthday or to celebrate the birth of our Nation.

They are expensive and prone to mold and dry rot, so take care of them with regular washing and lots of fresh air.

Now that you know what they are and how to fly them, I hope to see lots of photos of boats dressed to the nines. Send them to us at LifeofSailing.com if you think of it, or share on Facebook and tag us in the photo so we can see how you dress your ship.

Thanks for reading and remember, do good, have fun and sail far.

Related Articles

Capt Chris German is a life long sailor and licensed captain who has taught thousands to sail over the last 20 years. In 2007, he founded a US Sailing-based community sailing school in Bridgeport, CT for inner city youth and families. When Hurricane Sandy forced him to abandon those efforts, he moved to North Carolina where he set out to share this love for broadcasting and sailing with a growing web-based television audience through The Charted Life Television Network.

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• Running racing
• course diagrams

Course diagrams

Clear communication is important to give sailors the best experience and many will rely on simple, easy to understand course diagrams.

World Sailing uses a system of assigning symbols to courses (course signals) which consist of letters and numbers. The number always relates to the number of beats that a competitor is to sail to complete that course.

Course designations

• L - windward/leeward course with a leeward finish
• I - an inner loop trapezoid
• O - an outer loop trapezoid
• M - a windward / leeward with a leeward finish with starboard mark roundings (commonly used for match racing)
• A - course with an offset mark at the windward end
• R - course with a reaching finish at the leeward end
• X - course with non-standard finish

So an LRA2 course would be a windward / leeward course with an offset mark at the windward end and a reaching finish with two windward legs

Select the relevant course name to show and download it's diagram.

• Back to Running Racing

WE SHIP WORLDWIDE! We charge the actual cost of shipping. You may email us for a shipping cost estimate. intensitysails(at sign)gmail.com US$10 MINIMUM ORDER 312 IMAGES APS Racing Flags Sticker Sail Race Flag Signals Boat Signal Flags Race Committee Racing Flag Signals Sail Race Flag Signals COMMENTS Racing Rules of Sailing When a visual signal is displayed over a class flag, fleet flat, event flat or race area flag, the signal applies only to that class, fleet or race area. Postponement Signals. ... Racing Rules of Sailing for 2013-2016; Version 6: December 2015: Racing Rules of Sailing for 2017-2020: August 2017: Racing Rules of Sailing for 2021-2024: December 2020: PDF RACE SIGNALS RACING RULES . OF . SAILING . for 2021 - 2024 . This is a copy of The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2017 -2020 with all changes approved in 2016 , 2017 and 2018 for the 2021-2024 edition inserted. This file is made available to facilitate further work to im prove the rulebook for 2021-2024. It must not be published by anyone other than World ... PDF Sailing Race Signal Flags Sailing Race Signal Flags. RACE SIGNALS The meanings ofvisual and sound signals are stated below. An arrow pointing up or down (T l) means that a visual signal is displayed or removed. A dot means a sound; five short dashes - - - - ) mean repeti- tive sounds; a long dash (—) means a long sound. When a visual signal is displayed over a class ... All flags and pennants All flags and pennants. This page shows all of the 233 designs available on this site. To get started using any of our images you can try any of the following: download them all by clicking this link or for more options use the menu at the top of this page; download any image on this page by clicking on it; click on the LABEL above any image on ... PDF STARTING RACES USING RULE 26 The race committee uses the same procedure for all starts--those with starting penalties (flag I, Z, Z and I, or black flag) and those without (flag P). This should reduce errors. There is less "wasted" time (5 minutes less) between the warning and the starting signals vs. starting classes at ten-minute intervals. Sailboat Racing Flags and Signals Penalty Flags and Signals. Keep an eye out for any penal­ty flags or sig­nals, as they can indi­cate rule vio­la­tions and affect the out­come of the race. In sail­boat rac­ing, it's cru­cial to under­stand the mean­ing behind these flags and sig­nals to ensure fair com­pe­ti­tion and main­tain the spir­it of free­dom on the ... Racing Boat Flags Racing Flag Signals. Sail races are governed with flags and sound signals to indicate flag changes. The flags used are taken from the International maritime signal flag set. During a race and for any signal concerning the race, these flags are defined in the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing but the signal can be modified by the Sailing Instructions. Sailboat Racing Flags: Unlock The Secrets To Victory Sailboat racing is a thrilling and challenging sport that requires skill, strategy, and knowledge of sailing rules and regulations. One of the essential components of sailboat racing is the use of flags and signals to communicate important information to the sailors. Sailboat racing flags and signals are a standardized system used to convey ... Racing Rules of Sailing Sail races are governed with flags and sound signals to indicate flag changes. The flags used are taken from the International maritime signal flag set. During a race and for any signal concerning the race, these flags are defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing but the signal can be modified by the Sailing Instructions.. The raising (hoisting) or removing of a visual signal is accompanied by ... Race Signals 2021-2024: Summary, Quiz, and Worksheet Here are some activities to challenge yourself. We've updated the material to include the changes for the 2021-2024 racing rules of sailing - the V flag, blue flag, and orange flag were added. Race Signals Summary. Here's a summary of all the race signals, directly from the 2021-2024 rules. If needed, study this before you take the quiz ... Signal Flags include all flags and pennants from the International Code of Signals (ICS) and the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) and more; are published in the Public Domain so are free to use for any purpose anywhere without restriction. Use signal flags In a document. ... Use signal flags In a document. Flags used in Yacht Racing The flags used are called "RRS Race Signals". They are revised and published every four years by World Sailing). The current edition is "The Racing Rules of Sailing 2017 - 2020". As a result of actions taken by the World Sailing Racing Rules Committee and the World Sailing Council during the Annual Conference, changes may be made to the RRS ... PDF The RACING RULES of SAILING for 2021 Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024 Team RACE SIGNALS The meanings of visual and sound signals are stated below. ... -) mean repetitive sounds; a long dash (—) means a long sound. When a visual signal is displayed over a class flag, fleet flag, event flag or race area flag, the signal applies only to that class, fleet, event or race area. ... PDF RACE SIGNALS The warning signal will be made 1 minute after removal unless at that time the race is abandoned again or postponed. RACE SIGNALS The meanings of visual and sound signals are stated below. An arrow pointing up or down (n p) means that a visual signal is displayed or removed. A dot (x) means a sound; five short dashes PDF The RACING RULES of SAILING for 2021 warning signal, while racing in that race; or (b) if flag Y was displayed ashore with one sound, at all times while afloat that day. However, rule 40.1 applies when so stated in the notice of race or sailing instructions. 41 OUTSIDE HELP 78, 100 1993/6, 1998/1 US118 A boat shall not receive help from any outside source, except PDF 2021 signal is displayed over a class flag, fleet flag, event flag or race area flag, the signal applies only to that class, fleet, event or race area. Postponement Signals is abandoned Abandonment Signals Safety AP Races not started are postponed. The warning signal will be made 1 minute after removal unless at that time the race postponed again or . International maritime signal flags Two sailing ships dressed overall with their signal flags. International maritime signal flags are various flags used to communicate with ships. The principal system of flags and associated codes is the International Code of Signals. [1] Various navies have flag systems with additional flags and codes, and other flags are used in special uses, or have historical significance. Signal Flags And Their Meanings Racing Signals. First up, its racing signals. Spend enough time in the beer can races and you're bound to see a committee boat sporting a few signal flags every once in a while. They are used to indicate info about races and course changes to a fleet. They are far more functional than a radio in a dinghy race, as lasers tend to flip and vhfs ... Course diagrams and flags So an LRA2 course would be a windward / leeward course with an offset mark at the windward end and a reaching finish with two windward legs. Select the relevant course name to show and download it's diagram. Flags are useful for teaching, creating timekeeping sheets and writing sailing instructions for children, youths and some club racing. PDF Racing Rules of Sailing 2013 Recall Signals Shortened Course X Changing the Next Leg of the next Other Signals been posted. Preparatory signal. I Rule 30.1 is in effect. Z Rule 30.2 is in effect. Black flag. Rule 30.3 is in effect. L Ashore: A notice to competitors has Afloat: Come within hail or follow this boat. Blue flag or shape. This race committee boat is in RRS When at a boat's starting signal any part of her hull is on the course side of the starting line or she must comply with rule 30.1, the race committee shall promptly display flag X with one sound. The flag shall be displayed until the hull of each such boat has been completely on the pre-start side of the of the starting line or one of its extensions and until all such boats have complied with ... RC Code Flags & Supplies A Flag- Posted under AP Flag for Races not started are Postponed No More racing today Price: $19.99 Sale price: $13.99: C Flag - The next Mark has been changed Price: $19.99 Sale price: $13.99: H Flag- Under AP Flag for Postponement Further Signals Ashore Price: $19.99 Sale price: $13.99: I Flag for the Around the end rule starts Price: $19.99 ... Sailing Race Signal Flags Flashcards Q-Chat. Created by. c9pilot. Visual and sound signals as defined in "The Racing Rules of Sailing" ↑ visual signal displayed ↓ visual signal removed • sound - long sound ----- repetitive sounds When a visual signal is displayed over a class flag, the signal applies only to that class. catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht