A
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed. With three numerals, azimuth or bearing.
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B
I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods. (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.)
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C
Affirmative.* ** With three numerals, course in degrees magnetic.
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D
Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty. With two, four, or six numerals, date.
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E
I am altering my course to starboard.**
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F
I am disabled; communicate with me.
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G
I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am hauling nets”. With four or five numerals, longitude. (The last two numerals denote minutes and the rest degrees.)
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H
I have a pilot on board.
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I
I am altering my course to port Inport: Receive Ship Alongside.**
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J
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.
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K
I wish to communicate with you. With one numeral, I wish to communicate with you by; 1) Morse signalling by hand-flags or arms; 2) Loud hailer (megaphone); 3) Morse signalling lamp; 4) Sound signals. Inport: Man Aloft.
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L
In harbor: The ship is under Quarantine.
At sea: You should stop your vessel instantly. With four numerals, latitude. (The first two denote degrees and the rest minutes.)Inport: Radiological Hazard.
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M
My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water. Inport: Medical Guard.**
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O
Man overboard.** (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats). With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag.
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P
The Blue Peter.
In harbor: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: “My nets have come fast upon an obstruction”.
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Q
My vessel is “healthy” and I request free pratique. Inport: Small Craft recall.
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R
The way is off my ship. With one or more numerals, distance in nautical miles.
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S
I am operating astern propulsion.** With one or more numerals, speed in knots.
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T
Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling. With four numerals, local time. (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.)
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U
You are running into danger.
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V
I require assistance. With one or more numerals, speed in kilometres per hour.
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W
I require medical assistance.
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X
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.
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Y
I am dragging my anchor.
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Z
I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: “I am shooting nets”. With one or more numerals, time (UTC). (The first two denote hours and the rest minutes.) (Origin of the phrase ‘Zulu Time’.)
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