International Code of Signals.

Preface and Contents

Preface Codes of signals for the use of mariners have been published in various countries since the beginning of the nineteenth century. The first International Code was drafted in 1855 by a committee set up by the British Board of Trade. It contained 70,000 signals, used eighteen flags and was published by the British Board of Trade in 1857 in two parts: the first containing universal and international signals and the second British signals only. The code was adopted by most seafaring nations. This edition was revised by a committee set up in 1887 by the British Board of Trade. The committee' s proposals were discussed by the principal maritime powers and at an International Conference in Washington in 1889. As a result, many changes were made, the Code was completed in 1897 and was distributed to all maritime powers. This edition of the International Code of Signals, however, did not stand the test of World War I. The International Radiotelegraph Conference at Washington in 1927 considered proposals for a fresh revision of the Code and decided that it should be prepared in seven editorial languages, namely in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and in one Scandinavian language which was chosen by the Scandinavian Governments to be the Norwegian language. The new edition was completed in 1930 and was adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Conference held in Madrid in 1932. The new Code was compiled in two volumes, one for use by visual signalling and the other by radiotelegraphy. Words and phrases applicable to aircraft were introduced in Volume II together with a complete Medical Section and a code for accelerating the granting of pratique. The Medical Section and the pratique signals were prepared with the assistance and the advice of the Office International d' Hygiene Publique. The Code, particularly Volume II, was primarily intended for use by ships and aircraft and, via coast radio stations, between ships or aircraft and authorities ashore. A certain number of signals were inserted for communications with shipowners, agents, repair yards, etc. The same Conference (MADRID, 1932) established a Standing Committee to review the Code, if and when necessary, to give guidance on questions of use and procedure and to consider proposals for modifications. Secretarial duties were undertaken by the Government of the United Kingdom. The Standing Committee met only once in 1933 and introduced certain additions and amendments. The Administrative Radio Conference of the International Telecommunication Union

suggested in 1947 that the International Code of Signals should fall within the competence of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In January 1959, the first Assembly of IMO decided that the Organization should assume all the functions then being performed by the Standing Committee of the International Code of Signals. The second Assembly in 1961 endorsed plans for a comprehensive review of the International Code of Signals intended to meet the present-day requirements of mariners. A Sub-Committee of the Maritime Safety Committee of the Organization was established to revise the Code and to consider proposals for a new radiotelephone code and its relation to the International Code of Signals. The Sub- Committee consisted of representatives of the following countries: Argentina. Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom and the United States of America. The following international governmental and non-governmental organizations contributed to, and assisted in, the preparation of the revised Code: the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Labour Organisation, the International Telecommunication Union, the World Meteorological Organization, the World Health Organization, the International Chamber of Shipping, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the International Radio- Maritime Committee. The Sub-Committee completed the revision of the Code in 1964, taking into account Recommendation 42 of the 1960 Conference on Safety of Life at Sea and Recommendation 22 of the Administrative Radio Conference, Geneva 1959. The revised Code is intended to cater primarily for situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons, especially when language difficulties arise. It is suitable for transmission by all means of communication, including radiotelephony and radiotelegraphy and embodies the principle that each signal has a complete meaning. The Code was adopted by the fourth Assembly of IMO in 1965. Since then, amendments to the Code have been adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee and this publication incorporates all such amendments up to the fifty-third session of the Committee in September 1986. CONTENTS CHAPTER I Explanations and general remarks CHAPTER II Definitions CHAPTER III Methods of signalling CHAPTER IV General instructions CHAPTER V Flag signalling CHAPTER VI Flashing light signalling

CHAPTER VII Sound signalling CHAPTER VIII Radiotelephony CHAPTER IX Morse signalling by hand-flags or arms CHAPTER X Morse symbols- phonetic tables - procedure signals CHAPTER XI Single-letter signals CHAPTER XII Single-letter signals with complements CHAPTER XIII Single-letter signals between ice-breaker and assisted vessels CHAPTER XIV Identification of medical transports in armed conflict and permanent identification of rescue craft GENERAL SECTION I DISTRESS - EMERGENCY Abandon Accident - doctor - injured/sick Aircraft - helicopter Assistance Boats - rafts Disabled - drifting - sinking Distress Position Search and rescue Survivors II CASUALTIES - DAMAGES Collision Damages - repairs Diver - underwater operations Fire - explosion Grounding - beaching - refloating Leak Towing - Tugs III AIDS TO NAVIGATION - NAVIGATION - HYDROGRAPHY Aids to navigation Bar Bearings Canal - channel - fairway Course

Dangers to navigation - warnings Depth - draught Electronic navigation Mines - minesweeping Navigation lights - searchlight Navigating and steering instructions Tide IV MANOEUVRES Ahead - astern Alongside To anchor - anchor(s) - anchorage Engines - propeller Landing - boarding Manoeuvre Proceed - under way Speed Stop - heave to V MISCELLANEOUS Cargo - ballast Crew - persons on board Fishery Pilot Port - harbour Miscellaneous VI METEOROLOGY - WEATHER Atmospheric pressure - temperature Clouds Gale - storm - tropical storm Ice - Icebergs Ice-breaker Sea - swell Visibility - fog Weather - weather forecast Wind

VII ROUTEING OF SHIPS VIII COMMUNICATIONS Acknowledge - answer Calling Cancel Communicate Exercise Reception - transmission Repeat IX INTERNATIONAL SANITARY REGULATIONS Pratique messages TABLES OF COMPLEMENTS MEDICAL SECTION TABLE OF CONTENTS INSTRUCTIONS I REQUEST FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE II MEDICAL ADVICE TABLES OF COMPLEMENTS APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 - DISTRESS SIGNALS APPENDIX 2 - TABLE OF SIGNALLING FLAGS APPENDIX 3 - TABLE OF LIFE-SAVING SIGNALS APPENDIX 4 - RADIOTELEPHONE PROCEDURES

IMO-Vega Note
The latest amendments to the International Code of signals entered into force on 1 January 1996.

Document Links
CHAPTER I Explanations etc. doc. no. ISCH0101ABA CHAPTER II Definitions, doc. no. ISCH0201ABA CHAPTER III Methods etc. doc. no. ISCH0301ABA CHAPTER IV Instructions, doc. no. ISCH0401ABA CHAPTER V Flag signalling doc. no. ISCH0501ABA CHAPTER VI Flashing light, doc. no. ISCH0601ABA CHAPTER VII Sound signalling doc. no. ISCH0701ABA CHAPTER VIII Radiotelephony doc. no. ISCH0801ABA CHAPTER IX Morse by flags doc. no. ISCH0901ABA CHAPTER X Morse symbols etc. doc. no. ISCH1001ABA CHAPTER XI Single-letter doc. no. ISCH1101ABA CHAPTER XII Single-letter + doc. no. ISCH1201ABA CHAPTER XIII Ice-breaker etc doc. no. ISCH1301ABA CHAPTER XIV Medical transport doc. no. ISCH1401ABA General Section Part I, doc. no. ISGS0101ABA General Section Part II, doc. no. ISGS0201ABA General Section Part III, doc. no. ISGS0301ABA General Section Part IV, doc. no. ISGS0401ABA General Section Part V, doc. no. ISGS0501ABA General Section Part VI, doc. no. ISGS0601ABA General Section Part VII, doc. no. ISGS0701ABA General Section Part VIII, doc. no. ISGS0801ABA General Section Part IX, doc. no. ISGS0901ABA Medical Section, Contents, doc. no. ISMS0101ABA Medical Section, Instructions, doc. no. ISMS0201ABA Medical Section, Assistance, doc. no. ISMS0301ABA Medical Section, Advice, doc. no. ISMS0401ABA Medical Section, Complements, doc. no. ISMS0501ABA Appendix 1 Distress signals doc. no. ISAP0101ABA Appendix 2 Signalling flags doc. no. ISAP0201ABA Appendix 3 Life-saving signals doc. no. ISAP0301ABA Appendix 4 Radio procedures doc. no. ISAP0401ABA