[HN Gopher] An Illustrated Guide to Maritime Signal Flags
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       An Illustrated Guide to Maritime Signal Flags
        
       Author : gaws
       Score  : 66 points
       Date   : 2024-10-18 16:08 UTC (4 days ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (rabbitwaves.ca)
 (TXT) w3m dump (rabbitwaves.ca)
        
       | nnf wrote:
       | This is a neat style, and I was pleased to see that the author
       | included accessible text since the visible text on the page is
       | all in images.
        
       | wrycoder wrote:
       | This is from 100 Rabbits. Great job!!
       | 
       | One of my favorite flag signals is, "Nothing can be done until
       | high tide."
        
         | ahazred8ta wrote:
         | US1 Nothing can be done until daylight. US2 Nothing can be done
         | until tide has risen. US3 Nothing can be done until visibility
         | improves. US4 Nothing can be done until weather moderates. US5
         | Nothing can be done until draft is lightened. US6 Nothing can
         | be done until tugs have arrived.
        
       | foo42 wrote:
       | I never knew anything about this. I love discovering this sort of
       | thing!
        
       | function_seven wrote:
       | So I just read the other thread about the K language[1] and how
       | it's so-very-concise syntax made the author feel certain ways.
       | 
       | But that has _nothing_ on this! From page 70 of the International
       | Code of Signals[2], we find that PG 2 means,  "I am dazzled by
       | your searchlight. Extinguish it or lift it."
       | 
       | Not bad, but what if you reply with "AX 1"? Lots going on there!
       | "Shall I train my searchlight nearly vertical on a cloud,
       | intermittently if possible, and, if your aircraft is seen,
       | deflect the beam upwind and on the water to facilitate your
       | landing?"
       | 
       | [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41886051
       | 
       | [2] https://rabbitwaves.ca/media/docs/ics_pub102bk.pdf
        
       | GJim wrote:
       | I have a copy of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
       | Code of Signals on my bookshelf.
       | 
       | 3 letter medical flag codes include:
       | 
       | MKH Foreskin will not go back to normal position
       | 
       | MKI Patient has swelling of the testicles
       | 
       | MLF Patient has Delirium Tremens
       | 
       | It's a comprehensive book to say the least!
        
         | greggsy wrote:
         | I wonder how many times MLF has been used for a ship's captain?
        
       | cbsks wrote:
       | Interesting that "Oscar" is pronounced "OSS CAH" and not "OSS
       | CAR". Same with Victor. Must have been made in New England
       | (northeastern US).
        
         | brickers wrote:
         | Or... England?
        
           | pc86 wrote:
           | Old England.
        
             | kevin_thibedeau wrote:
             | With the new non-rhotic affectation.
        
           | cbsks wrote:
           | Ouch. My stereotypically-American US-centric bias is showing
           | :)
        
       | acidburnNSA wrote:
       | Fun fact based on the bottom panel: the peace sign (inverted y)
       | is based on the flag semaphore signs for N and D, originally
       | standing for Nuclear Disarmament.
        
       | UniverseHacker wrote:
       | This seems like a great system, but in many years of sailing I've
       | never encountered it actually used. For the most part is only
       | possible to be used by large commercial vessels, but those
       | vessels already have a dozen other redundant communication
       | systems that are clearer and faster. Operators of small private
       | vessels aren't likely to even know this system exists, not alone
       | carry all of these flags, a code book, and a system for hoisting
       | flags.
        
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       (page generated 2024-10-22 23:00 UTC)