
Tùy vào số lượng cờ sử dụng ta biết ý nghĩa thông tin cần truyền đi:
* One-flag signals are urgent or very common signals (see meanings below)
* Two-flag signals are mostly distress and maneuvering signals
* Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation, also general code and decode signals
* Four-flags are used for geographical signals, names of ships, bearings, etc
* Five-flag signals are those relating to time and position
* Six-flag signals are used when necessary to indicate north or south or east or west in latitude and longitude signals
* Seven-flags are for longitude signals containing more than one hundred degrees.
Ý nghĩ của cờ riêng lẻ:
a (alpha) = Diver Down; Keep Clear
b (bravo) = Dangerous Cargo
c (charlie) = Yes
d (delta) = Keep Clear
e (echo) = Altering Course to Starboard
f (foxtrot) = Disabled
g (golf) = Want a Pilot
h (hotel) = Pilot on Board
i (india) = Altering Course to Port
j (juliet) = On Fire; Keep Clear
k (kilo) = Desire to Communicate
l (lima) = Stop Instantly
m (mike) = I Am Stopped
n (november) = No
o (oscar) = Man Overboard
p (papa) = About to Sail
q (quebec) = I Request
r (romeo) = (The way is off my ship. You may feel your way past me)
s (sierra) = Engines Going Astern
t (tango) = Keep Clear of Me
u (uniform) = You are Standing into Danger
v (victor) = Require Assistance
w (whiskey) = Require Medical Assistance
x (x-ray) = Stop Your Intention
y (yankee) = Am Dragging Anchor
z (zulu) = Require a Tug
Một vài ý nghĩa của tín hiệu hai cờ:
AC – I am abandoning my vessel.
LO – I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel.
RU – Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
AN – I need a doctor.
NC – I am in distress and require immediate assistance.
SO – You should stop your vessel instantly.
BR – I require a helicopter.
PD – Your navigation lights are not visible.
UM – the Harbour is closed to traffic.
CD – I require immediate assistance.
PP – Keep well clear of me.
UP – Permission to enter Harbour is urgently requested. I have an emergency.
DV – I am drifting.
QD – I am going ahead.
YU – I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International code of signals.
EF – SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled.
QT – I am going astern.
ZD1 – Please report me to the Coast Guard, New York
FA – Will you give me my position?
QQ – I require health clearance.
ZD2 – Please report me to Lloyds, London.
GW – Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up.
QU – Anchoring is prohibited.
ZL – Your signal has been received but not understood.
JL – You are running the risk of going aground.
QX – I request permission to anchor.