- Nautical Signal & Country Flags -

All of our flags - signal and country -come off of ships! These flags are very colorful and are a part of maritime history.

The International Code of Signals is used by vessels to communicate important messages regarding safety of navigtion and related matters.

There is a standard alphabet (used universally despite differing native languages) that uses the letters "A" to "Z" and ten digits (0-9). Each letter of the alphabet also has a phonetic, spoken form so as not to confuse similar sounding letters such as "Bravo" for "B", "Papa" for "P" and "Victor" for "V".

Each of the "A" through "Z" characters are assigned their own unique standard meaning (see below for meanings). For example, the master of a ship may wish to communicate with another ship if his own radio were not working. He or she would simply raise the "K" (Kilo) flag which carries the standard meaning of "I wish to communicate with you".

Our authentic signal flags make great gifts. They have been featured in both Coastal and Country Living Magazines. They've been flown at weddings to represent the bride and groom's initials or they add a great colorful touch to any bedroom.


signal flags: "Mike" (left) and "Zulu" (right) (these are about 31" x 46")


Flags flying above: "Lima", "November" and "Victor" flags.


Here's a fun way one of our customers used these salvaged flags (shown backwards in this photo): "Lima" - "Alfa" - "Kilo"- "Echo" for where else? The LAKE House!

Here's one of our favorite "holoaphabetic sentences" to show you what each of the signal flags looks like!
"Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs".
These are all generally 3' x 4' (feet) up to 4' x 6' (feet).

PACK MY
(Papa: Recall; vessel about to sail, Alfa: Diver down; keep well clear at slow speed, Charlie: Yes; affirmative, Kilo: I wish to communicate with you)
(Mike: My vessel is stopped, Yankee: I am dragging my anchor)
BOX WITH
(Bravo: Taking in/discharging dangerous goods, Oscar: Man overboard, Xray: Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals)
(Whiskey: I require medical assistance, India: Altering my course to port, Tango: Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling, Hotel: I have a pilot onboard)

FIVE DOZEN
(Foxtrot: I am disabled; communicate with me. India: Altering my course to port, Victor: I require assistance, Echo: Altering my course to starboard)
(Delta: Keep clear; I'm maneuvering with difficulty, Oscar: Man overboard, Zulu: I require a tug, Echo: Altering my course to starboard, November: No; negative)
LIQUOR JUGS
(Lima: The ship is quarantined - or you should stop your vessel instantly, India: Altering my course to port, Quebec: Vessel is healthy; request free pratique, Uniform: You are running into danger, Oscar: Man overboard, Romeo: The way is off my ship)
(Juliet: I am on fire; dangerous cargo; keep well clear, Uniform: You are running into danger, Golf: I require a pilot, Sierra: My enginges are going full speed astern)



Country Flags:
A merchant ship is said to be flying a "flag of convenience" which refers to the ship's country of registration.
Vessels are often registered by their owners in a different country for purposes of reducing operating costs or avoiding government regulations.

The country of registration determines the laws under which the ship is required to operate and that are to be applied in relevant admiralty cases.

All of our "flags of convenience" are authentic and have been salvaged from ships dismantled in breaking yards all over the world.


Looking for a particular country? Just email us or stop by to see what's in stock.

Here's a listing of the country flags of the world we have carried:

Algeria, Angola, Antilles, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Brazil (customs), Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Comoro Islands, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial New Guinea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauitana, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Netherlands (Holland), New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Phillipines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Serra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunesia, Turkey, Tuvalu, UAE, UK, USA, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen.

Jolly Roger/Pirate Flags:

(far right): new design jolly roger flags 26" x 43"

There are literally thousands of Jolly Roger flags out there. The problem is 99% of them are screen printed on nylon. Now I ask you: Would any self-respecting pirate buy one of these?....Yar no chance. He'd make one of his rum filled swashbucklers make one. Therefore it'd turn out much like this cotton, very rustic jolly roger flag. Each one is a little different than the next and you don't have to worry about your neighbor finding it at wal-mart. As a matter of a fact, you don't have to worry about them finding one anywhere but this website as we're the manufacturers.

$25 each shipping included in USA(dimentions are 26"x38" approx)

 
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