الكود الدولي للإشارات

(تم التحويل من International Code of Signals)
How to say "Communicate with me!" in nine languages.

The International Code of Signals (INTERCO) is an international system of signals and codes for use by vessels to communicate important messages regarding safety of navigation and related matters. Signals can be sent by flaghoist, signal lamp ("blinker"), flag semaphore, radiotelegraphy, and radiotelephony. The International Code is the most recent evolution of a wide variety of maritime flag signalling systems.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

التاريخ

Commercial code flags until 1900

The International Code of Signals was preceded by a variety of naval signals and private signals, most notably Marryat's Code, the most widely used code flags prior to 1857. What is now the International Code of Signals was drafted in 1855 by the British Board of Trade and published in 1857 as the Commercial Code. It came in two parts: the first containing universal and international signals, and the second British signals only. Eighteen separate signal flags (see chart) were used to make over 70,000 possible messages. Vowels were omitted from the set to avoid spelling out any word that might be objectionable in any language, and some little-used letters were also omitted. It was revised by the Board of Trade in 1887, and was modified at the International Conference of 1889 in Washington, D.C.[1] The new international code of signals officially came into worldwide operation on 1 January 1901. At first it was used concurrently with the old system until 1 January 1902, and then used exclusively after 1 January 1903. In this new edition, the number of flags was increased from 18 flags plus a code pennant to 26 flags and a code pennant. The eight new flags represented the vowels A E I O U and the letters X Y Z.[2]

A slightly different version was published in Brown's Signalling, 18th Edition, February, 1916, pages 9-28. Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot and Golf were pennants corresponding to more modern numeral pennants 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Otherwise the letters appear to correspond to the more modern formats. [3]

The code was severely tested during World War I, and it was found that, "when coding signals, word by word, the occasions upon which signaling failed were more numerous than those when the result was successful."[4] A 1920 meeting of the five Principal Allied and Associated Powers met in Paris and proposed forming the Universal Electrical Communications Union on October 8, 1920 in Washington, D.C.[5] The group suggested revisions to the International Code of Signals, and adopted a phonetic spelling alphabet, but the creation of the organization was not agreed upon.

The 1927 International Radiotelegraph Conference in Washington[6] considered proposals for a new revision of the Code, including preparation in seven languages: English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Norwegian. This new edition was completed in 1930 and was adopted by the International Radiotelegraph Conference held in Madrid in 1932.[7] The Madrid Conference also set up a standing committee for continual revision of the code. The new version introduced vocabulary for aviation and a complete medical section with the assistance and by the advice of the Office International d'Hygiène Publique. A certain number of signals were also inserted for communications between vessels and shipowners, agents, repair yards, and other maritime stakeholders. The new international code of signals was officially brought into force worldwide on 1 January 1934. Thirteen new flags were introduced, whereby the triangular pennants used for letters, C, D, E, F, and G were replaced with new square flags, and became the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The numerals 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0 were introduced by five new flags, and there were three new substitute flags added.[8]

After World War II, the 1947 International Radio Conference of the International Telecommunication Union suggested in that the International Code of Signals should fall within the competence of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO), which became the IMO.[9] In January 1959, the First Assembly of IMCO 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 of IMCO 1961 endorsed plans for a comprehensive review of the International Code of Signals to meet the needs of mariners. The revisions were prepared in the previous seven languages plus Russian and Greek.

The code was revised in 1964 taking into account recommendations from the 1960 Conference on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the 1959 Administrative Radio Conference.[10] Changes included a shift in focus from general communications to safety of navigation, abandonment of the "vocabulary" method of spelling out messages word by word, adaptation to all forms of communication, and elimination of the separate radiotelegraph and geographical sections. It was adopted in 1965. The 1969 English-language version of the code (United States edition, revised 2020) is available online through the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA, formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency) and can be found here.

The International Code of Signals is currently maintained by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which published an edition in 2005.[11]


الأعلام

Standard chart of "International Flags and Pennants" of the International Code of Signals (also known as "Pub. 102")

"The purpose of the International Code of Signals is to provide ways and means of communication in situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons, especially when language difficulties arise."[12] It has done this by first establishing a standardized alphabet (the letters A to Z and the ten digits), along with a spoken form of each letter (to avoid confusing similar-sounding letters, such as 'b', 'p', and 'v'), and associating this alphabet with standardized flags. (See chart to the right.)

Combinations of these alphanumeric characters are assigned as codes for various standardized messages. For instance, the master of a ship may wish to communicate with another ship, where their own radio may not be working or the other ship's call sign is not known or the other ship may not be maintaining a radio watch. One simply raises the Kilo flag (see diagram at the top), or sends the Morse Code equivalent (dash-dot-dash) by flashing light; this has the assigned message of "I wish to communicate with you."

One practical application of the ICS is that all of the standardized messages come in nine languages (English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Spanish, Norwegian, and, since 1969, Russian and Greek). This fact is immaterial if the sender and receiver(s) are using different languages; each language has a book with equivalent messages keyed to the same code. This is also useful in radiotelephony, or even when ships are within hailing distance, if there is no common language: a crew member on a burning ship yells "yuliett alfa vour", and a vessel coming to their aid knows exactly what they need — "material for foam fire extinguishers" (that is, the foaming agent). (See de:Flaggenalphabet for the German version of single-letter signals.)

The code also covers procedural aspects (how to initiate a call, the format of a message, how to format date and time, etc.), how naval ships (which usually use their own codes) indicate that they are using the ICS (by flying the code pennant), use in radiotelephony (use of the spoken word "Interco"), and various other matters (such as how an aircraft directs a vessel to another vessel in distress and how to order unidentified submarines to surface).

الإشارات

A sailor on board a US Navy ship preparing a signal hoist

Prior to 1969, the code was much more extensive, covering a wider range of messages and including a list of five-letter codes for every prominent maritime location in the world. Since 1969, it has been reduced to focus on navigation and safety, including a medical section. Signals can be sorted into three groups:

  • Single-letter signals which are very urgent, important, or common.
  • Two-letter signals for other messages, sometimes followed with a numerical "complement" which supplements or modifies the message.
  • Three-letter signals beginning with "M"; these are the Medical Signal Codes.

In some cases, additional characters are added to indicate quantities, bearing, course, distance, date, time, latitude, or longitude. There is also provision for spelling words and for indicating use of other codes. Several of the most common single-letter signals are shown at the right. Two-letter signals cover a broad gamut of situations.

Repeated characters can be a problem in flaghoist. To avoid having to carry multiple sets of signal flags, the Code uses three "substitute" (or "repeater") flags. These repeat the flag at the indicated position. For instance, to signal MAA ("I request urgent medical advice" the Mike, Alfa, and 2nd substitute flags would be flown, the substitute indicating a repeat of the second character.

كود الإشارات الطبية

صارية ثلاثة أعلام
Flag hoist Code Meaning
ICS Mike.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Repeat Two.svg
MAA I request urgent medical advice.
The pennant at the bottom indicates a repeat of the second letter.

The Medical Signal Code[13] (incorporated in the International Code of Signals since 1930) is a means of providing assistance when medical personnel are not present. Plain language is generally preferred in such cases (presumably via radiotelephone), but the various codes provide a succinct method of communicating to a doctor the nature of the problem where there are language or communication difficulties, and in return the recommended treatment. Even where there are no language problems, the Medical Signal Code is useful in providing a standard method of case description and treatment. There is also a standard list of medicaments (medicines), keyed to a standard ships medicine chest carried by all merchant ships. The Medical signals all begin with the letter "M" (Mike) followed by two more letters, and sometimes with additional numerals or letters.


Single-flag signals

Letter,
spelling word,
pronunciation
Flag Meaning
As single flag With numeric complements
A
Alfa

[ˈal.fa]
ICS Alpha.svg "I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed." Azimuth or bearing
B
Bravo

[ˈbrɑː.voʊ]
ICS Bravo.svg "I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods." (Originally used by the Royal Navy specifically for military explosives.)
C
Charlie

[ˈtʃɑː.li]
ICS Charlie.svg "Affirmative."[أ][ب] Course in degrees magnetic (Three digits denote degrees. Utilizes leading zeroes for values below 100.)
D
Delta

[ˈdɛl.tə]
ICS Delta.svg "Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty."[ب] Date (The first 2 digits denote the day; the next 2 digits denote the month; and 2 other digits to denote the last two digits of the year if necessary. Utilizes leading zeroes for single-digit values.)
E
Echo

[ˈɛk.oʊ]
ICS Echo.svg "I am altering my course to starboard."[ب]
F
Foxtrot

[ˈfɔks.trɔt]
ICS Foxtrot.svg "I am disabled; communicate with me."
G
Golf

[gɔlf]
ICS Golf.svg "I require a pilot."
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am hauling nets."
Longitude (The first 2 or 3 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)
H
Hotel

[hoʊˈtɛl]
ICS Hotel.svg "I have a pilot on board."[ب]
I
India

[ˈɪn.dɪə]
ICS India.svg "I am altering my course to port."[ب]
J
Juliet

[ˈdʒuː.ljɛt]
ICS Juliett.svg "I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me."
or
"I am leaking dangerous cargo."
K
Kilo

[ˈki.loʊ]
ICS Kilo.svg "I wish to communicate with you." "I wish to communicate with you by...":
1) Morse signaling by hand-flags or arms;
2) Loud hailer (megaphone);
3) Morse signaling lamp;
4) Sound signals.
L
Lima

[ˈli.mə]
ICS Lima.svg "You should stop your vessel instantly." Latitude (The first 2 digits denote degrees; the last 2 denote minutes.)
M
Mike

[maɪk]
ICS Mike.svg "My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water."[ب]
N
November

[noʊˈvɛm.bə]
ICS November.svg "Negative."[أ]
O
Oscar

[ˈɔs.kə]
ICS Oscar.svg "Man overboard."[ب] (often attached to the man overboard pole on boats).
With a sinister hoist, the semaphore flag.
P
Papa

[ˈpa.pə]
ICS Papa.svg The Blue Peter.
In harbour: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea.
At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction."
Q
Quebec

[kəˈbɛk]
ICS Quebec.svg "My vessel is 'healthy' and I request free pratique."
R
Romeo

[ˈroʊ.mjoʊ]
ICS Romeo.svg (No ICS meaning as a single flag) Distance (range) in nautical miles.
S
Sierra

[siˈɛrə]
ICS Sierra.svg "I am operating astern propulsion."[ب] Speed (velocity) in knots
T
Tango

[ˈtaŋ.goʊ]
ICS Tango.svg "Keep clear of me[ب]; I am engaged in pair trawling." Local time. (The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.)
U
Uniform

[ˈjuː.nɪ.fɔːm]
ICS Uniform.svg "You are running into danger."
V
Victor

[ˈvɪk.tə]
ICS Victor.svg "I require assistance." Speed in kilometres per hour.
W
Whiskey

[ˈwɪs.ki]
ICS Whiskey.svg "I require medical assistance."
X
Xray

[ˈɛks.reɪ]
ICS X-ray.svg "Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals."
Y
Yankee

[ˈjaŋ.ki]
ICS Yankee.svg "I am dragging my anchor."
Z
Zulu

[ˈzuː.luː]
ICS Zulu.svg "I require a tug."
By fishing vessels near fishing grounds: "I am shooting nets."[ت]
(UTC). The first 2 digits denote hours; the last 2 denote minutes.
Numerals
0
Nadazero

[ˌna.daˈzɪə.roʊ]
ICS Pennant Zero.svg This and following used as numbers to complement other signals.
1
Unaone

[ˌuː.nəˈwʌn]
ICS Pennant One.svg
2
Bissotwo

[ˌbɪs.oʊˈtuː]
ICS Pennant Two.svg
3 [ث]
Terrathree

[ˌtɛr.əˈtri]
ICS Pennant Three.svg
4
Kartefour

[ˌkɑː.təˈfɔː.wə]
ICS Pennant Four.svg
5 [ج]
Pantafive

[ˌpan.təˈfaɪf]
ICS Pennant Five.svg
6
Soxisix

[ˌsɔk.siˈsɪks]
ICS Pennant Six.svg
7
Setteseven

[ˌsɛ.təˈsɛv.ən]
ICS Pennant Seven.svg
8
Oktoeight

[ˌɔk.toʊˈeɪt]
ICS Pennant Eight.svg
9 [ح]
Novenine

[ˌnoʊ.veˈnaɪ.nə]
ICS Pennant Niner.svg
Various
1st Substitute ICS Repeat One.svg Used to repeat the first flag of a hoist later within the same hoist.
This and the other two substitutes allows any four letter or number combination to be sent using only one set of flags.
2nd Substitute ICS Repeat Two.svg Used to repeat the second flag of a hoist later within the same hoist.
3rd Substitute ICS Repeat Three.svg Used to repeat the third flag of a hoist later within the same hoist.
Code/Answer
Pennant
ICS Answer.svg At the dip (about half-way up the halyard): Ready to receive message
Close up: Message has been received and understood (the flag is then hauled back at the dip to receive the next hoist)
Hauled down: Signals end of message.
With numerals: Decimal point
By a warship: When flown over a hoist, indicates the message is to be read according to the ICS.
Notes
  1. ^ أ ب N and C together (No and Yes) is used as a distress signal.
  2. ^ أ ب ت ث ج ح خ د ذ Also signallable on a ship's whistle using Morse code. See International Code of Signals.
  3. ^ The Z flag was also famously hoisted by Adm. Heihachiro Togo at the 1905 Battle of Tsushima as the Japanese fleet prepared to engage the Russian fleet. In Japanese coding at the time, the flag meant, "The Empire's fate depends on the result of this battle, let every man do his utmost duty."
  4. ^ The "th" is pronounced simply "t" for clarity.
  5. ^ The "v" is pronounced "f" for clarity.
  6. ^ Final schwa ("niner"), originally used to differentiate "nine" from "five" in previous English-only version.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Examples of multiple-flag signals

Sample International Code of Signals messages
Flag Code Meaning Note
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Charlie.svg
AC I am abandoning my vessel.
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Delta.svg
AD I am abandoning my vessel which has suffered a nuclear accident and is a possible source of radiation danger.
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS November.svg
AN I need a doctor.
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS November.svg
ICS Pennant One.svg
AN 1 I need a doctor; I have severe burns.
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS November.svg
ICS Pennant Two.svg
AN 2 I need a doctor; I have radiation casualties.
ICS Echo.svg
ICS Lima.svg
EL Repeat the distress position.
ICS Echo.svg
ICS Lima.svg
ICS Pennant One.svg
EL 1 What is the position of vessel in distress?
ICS Golf.svg
ICS Mike.svg
GM I cannot save my vessel.
ICS Golf.svg
ICS November.svg
GN You should take off persons.
ICS Golf.svg
ICS November.svg
ICS Pennant One.svg
GN 1 I wish some persons taken off. Skeleton crew will remain on board.
ICS Golf.svg
ICS November.svg
ICS Pennant Two.svg
GN 2 I will take off the people.
ICS Golf.svg
ICS November.svg
ICS Pennant Three.svg
GN 3 Can you take off people?
ICS India.svg
ICS Tango.svg
IT I am on fire.
ICS Juliett.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
JA I require firefighting appliances.
ICS Juliett.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Pennant Four.svg
JA 4 I require material for foam fire extinguishers.
ICS Mike.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Repeat Two.svg
MAA I request urgent medical advice.
ICS Mike.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Bravo.svg
MAB I request you to make rendezvous in position indicated.
ICS Mike.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Charlie.svg
MAC I request you to arrange hospital admission.
ICS Mike.svg
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Delta.svg
MAD I am . . . (indicate number) hours from the nearest port. Number after.
ICS Mike.svg
ICS Sierra.svg
ICS Pennant One.svg
MS 1 My vessel is a dangerous source of radiation; you may approach from my starboard side.
ICS Victor.svg
ICS Golf.svg
VG The coverage of low clouds is... (number of octants or eighths of sky covered). Look up and add number.
ICS Uniform.svg
ICS Sierra.svg
ICS Pennant Four.svg
US 4 Nothing can be done until weather moderates.
ICS November.svg
ICS Charlie.svg
NC I am in distress and require immediate assistance (Distress signal).
ICS Romeo.svg
ICS Yankee.svg
RY Keep clear at slow speed.
ICS Alpha.svg
ICS Echo.svg
AE I must abandon my vessel.
ICS Delta.svg
ICS Xray.svg
DX I am sinking.


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Historical information from the Preface of ICS 1969.
  2. ^ "The New Signal Code". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 February 1901. p. 8. Retrieved 1 June 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "The International Code of Signals (1916)". earlyradiohistory.us.
  4. ^ ICS 1931. Preface.
  5. ^ Universal Electrical Communications Union (October 6, 1921). "Draft of Convention and Regulations, Washington, D.C., December, 1920" – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "International Radiotelegraph Conference (Washington, 1927)". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  7. ^ "International Radiotelegraph Conference (Madrid, 1932)". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  8. ^ "New Sea Language". The Mercury. Tasmania. 27 December 1933. p. 4. Retrieved 1 June 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "International Radio Conference (Atlantic City, 1947)". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 26 June 2021. - Recommendation on International Code of Signals, page 10-E (page 357 of 476 of scanned archive)
  10. ^ "Administrative Radio Conference (Geneva, 1959)". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  11. ^ ICS 2005. See Foreword[dead link].
  12. ^ ICS 1969, p. 2. Unless noted otherwise, all material is sourced from this document.
  13. ^ The Medical Signal Code is described in Chapter 3 of ICS 1969.

Sources

External links