Semaphore.htm

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UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

Semaphore Flag Signaling System

The Semaphore flag signaling system is an alphabet signaling system based on the waving of a pair of hand-held flags in a particular pattern.

The flags are usually square, red and yellow, divided diagonally with the red portion in the upper hoist.

The flags are held, arms extended, in various positions representing each of the letters of the alphabet. The pattern resembles a clock face divided into eight positions: up, down, out, high, low, for each of the left and right hands (LH and RH) six letters require the hand to be brought across the body so that both flags are on the same side.

Flag positions in Semaphore

One way to visualize the semaphore alphabet is in terms of circles:

first circle: A, B, C, D, E, F, G;
second circle: H, I, K, L, M, N (omitting J);
third circle: O, P, Q, R, S;
fourth circle: T, U, Y and 'annul';
fifth circle: 'numeric', J (or 'alphabetic'), V;
sixth circle: W, X;
seventh circle: Z

In the first circle, the letters A to C are made with the right arm, and E to G with the left, and D with either as convenient. In the second circle, the right arm is kept still at the letter A position and the left arm makes the movements; similarly in the remaining circles, the right arm remains fixed while the left arm moves. The arms are kept straight when changing from one position to another.

For another flag communication system, see the international maritime signal flags.

The Semaphore Alphabet

A and 1 (LH down RH low)

B and 2 (LH down; RH out)

C and 3 (LH down; RH high)

D and 4 (LH down; RH up - or LH up; RH down)

E and 5 (LH high; RH down)

F and 6 (LH out; RH down)

G and 7 (LH low; RH down)

H and 8 (LH across low; RH out)

I and 9 (LH across low; RH up)

J and 'alphabetic' (LH out ; RH up)

K and 0 zero (LH up; RH low)

L (LH high; RH low)

M (LH out; RH low)

N (LH low; RH low)

O (LH across high; RH out)

P (LH up; RH out)

Q (LH high; RH out)

R (LH out; RH out)

S (LH low; RH out)

T (LH up; RH high)

U (LH high; RH high)

V (LH low; RH up)

W (LH out; RH across high)

X (LH low; RH across high)

Y (LH out; RH high)

Z (LH out; RH across low)

Numerical sign (LH high; RH up)

Annul sign (LH low; RH high)

Error (LH and RH raised and lowered together)

We Need You -- The Coast Guard Auxiliary is called upon to provide essential services to the Coast Guard as they focus more heavily on their military missions. We need all the help we can get. You needn't own a boat or be an experienced boater, since our missions are wide-ranging. For information about Auxiliary missions and the Auxiliary in general, go to our Join the Auxiliary web page. You will find there a form through which you can ask that a local Auxiliarist make contact with you to explore the ways in which you can assist Team Coast Guard.