Codes of signals have been published since the beginning of the 19th century to provide mariners with an internationally accepted, common system for communication at sea. Each signal within the International Code of Signals has a complete meaning, which ensures that specific situations related to safety can be clearly communicated through various means, even when language difficulties arise.
IMO MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.2 stipulates that International Code of Signals and IAMSAR Manual Volume III are for emergency use and should always be available on board ships in the form of hard copy.
Since its first edition, published in 1965, amendments to the Code have been adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) resulting in four subsequent editions. The fourth edition of the Code (2005 edition) incorporated all amendments up to MSC 73 in December 2000. The International Code of Signals has not been amended since its fourth edition and this current edition comprises only minor editorial improvements and a new cover. Therefore, both the 2005 edition and this edition of the Code are considered equally valid.
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
Clouds
Gale – storm – tropical storm
Ice – Icebergs
Ice-breaker
Atmospheric pressure – temperature
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 Health Regulations
Pratique messages
Tables of complements
Medical section
Table of contents
Instructions
I Request for medical assistance
II Medical advice
Tables of complements
Medical index
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Distress signals
Appendix 2 – Tables of signalling flags
Appendix 3 – Table of life-saving signals
Appendix 4 – Radiotelephone procedures
General index
- Number of Pages:
- 197
- ISBN:
- 9789280141986
- Published Date:
- January 2005
- Binding Format:
- Paperback
- Book Height:
- 300 mm
- Book Width:
- 220 mm
- Weight:
- 1.3 kg
- Author:
IMO
- Preview:
- Yes
