Even in these days of satellite communications, the RCN still uses (but to a linmited degree) the international alphabet flags, numeral pennants, numeral flags, and special flags and pennants for visual signaling. These signal flags are used to communicate with other ships while maintaining radio silence. NAVCOM signalmen transmit messages by hoisting a flag or a series of flags on a halyard. Each side of the ship has halyards and a storage compartment containing a full set of signal flags. Signals unique to the Navy are used when communicating with other navy ships. When communicating with all other vessels, the International Code of Signals is used. Flag signals, physically hoisted on the Signal or Flag Deck were controlled by the Chief Signalman or Yeoman of Signals from the bridge. Today, these terms are extinct..
FLAG SYSTEMS
It would have been so easy had there only been one flag system used by both naval ships and merchantmen. But that was not to be the case. Naval flag systems varied slightly from navy to navy and changed a bit over time. International signals used by merchantmen shared the alphabet flags but used numerical pennants instead of square numeral flags.
In the interest of brevity, only the alphabetic and numeral flags are posted below since there were a number of other flags in each of the systems which had special meanings. Listed is the RCN flag system circa 1937, the Royal Navy system used by the RCN in WWII and the current system.
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