Nautical Topics

A semaphore position used to mark separation between words or message elements. It uses the same lowered-flags position associated with rest and readiness. Its meaning as a space comes from its placement within a transmission rather than from a unique arm position. A deliberate pause and clear pacing help the receiver distinguish a word space…

A neutral semaphore position with both flags lowered, used when resting or not actively transmitting. The same physical position may mark a space or indicate readiness, depending on the stage of the exchange and the procedure being followed. Context, timing and acknowledgement distinguish those meanings. The signaller should adopt the position deliberately and avoid unintended…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 0 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter K. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as zero rather than K. The position should be viewed from the signaller’s front and separated clearly from adjacent characters. Letters Follow…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 9 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter I. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as 9 rather than I. The signaller holds one flag in each hand at the prescribed angles illustrated in the entry. The…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 8 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter H. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as 8 rather than H. The signaller holds one flag in each hand at the prescribed angles illustrated in the entry. The…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 7 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter G. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as 7 rather than G. The signaller holds one flag in each hand at the prescribed angles illustrated in the entry. The…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 6 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter F. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as 6 rather than F. The signaller holds one flag in each hand at the prescribed angles illustrated in the entry. The…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 5 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter E. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as 5 rather than E. The signaller holds one flag in each hand at the prescribed angles illustrated in the entry. The…

A two-flag semaphore position representing the numeral 4 after the Numbers Follow signal. The physical position is the same as semaphore letter D. The preceding procedural signal tells the receiver to interpret it as 4 rather than D. The signaller holds one flag in each hand at the prescribed angles illustrated in the entry. The…