1. VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

2. VISUAL COMMS METHODS
** SEMAPHORE
** FLAGHOIST
** FLASHING LIGHT

3. SEMAPHORE * Quickest method, but difficult to read
* Signalman uses flags or lighted wands
* Position of flags/wands indicates
letter or symbol of message

4. SEMAPHORE * Faster than flashing light
* More secure than flashing light
* Very short range
* Day or nighttime use

5. FLASHING LIGHT EQUIPMENT
* Directional searchlight
* Multipurpose light
* Omnidirectional signal lights/yardarm blinkers
Regular or infrared lights

6. Infrared signal lights must be read with infrared viewers called:
FLASHING LIGHT
Infrared signal lights must be read with infrared viewers called:
NANCY GEAR

7. FLASHING LIGHT Directional (searchlight) is for day or nighttime use
Non-directional (yardarm blinkers) are for nighttime use only

8. FLAG HOIST
** Bridge watch officers MUST be able to read flaghoist signals
** Involves use of multi-colored flags and pennants

9. FLAG HOIST Rapid Accurate
Allows for a more uniform execution of maneuver
May only be used in daylight

10. FLAGHOIST TERMINOLOGY
Flagbag - a metal box containing a set of flags and pennants
Halyard - a line running from the flagbag to the yardarm

11. FLAGHOIST TERMINOLOGY
Retriever - line attached to a halyard in order to recover it if necessary
Hoist - A signal consisting of one or more flags/pennants
on a single halyard
Display - A complete signal; can be on one or more hoists
Bend on - to hook a flag/pennant onto a halyard

12. FLAGHOIST TERMINOLOGY
Point of hoist - highest point on halyard to which the signal is raised
At the dip
Closed up
Hauled down

13. Flaghoists are read as follows:
Starboard to Port
Bow aspect
Stbd
Port
Outboard to inboard
Top to bottom
** Maximum of five flags per hoist

14. TACKLINES A length of line, equal in length to a flag/pennant
Used in visual displays just as "tacks" are used in R/T signals
Tacklines do not count toward the five flag max per halyard
Tacks are understood, as necessary, between adjacent hoists

15. The four sub pennants are used to repeat a flag in the same hoist
SUBSTITUTE PENNANTS
The four sub pennants are used to repeat a flag in the same hoist
First sub repeats the first flag on the hoist, second sub repeats the second flag, etc.
1st Sub
2nd Sub
3rd Sub
4th Sub

16. A sub pennant can stand for another sub pennant.
Turn
Port
One
3rd sub = 3rd flag in hoist = One
4th sub = 4th flag in hoist = 3rd sub = One

17. ANSWERING, ACKNOWLEDGING, AND EXECUTING
Originator sends signal
Addressee answers by repeating each hoist at the dip
When signal is understood, addressee closes it up
Originator executes signal by hauling it down

18. VISUAL RESPONSIBILITY
In a line formation:
OTC sends signal
Intermediate ships hold their displays at the dip
Ship farthest from the OTC closes up the signal when it's understood
Intermediate ships close up their displays
When all ships have acknowledged, OTC executes by hauling down the signal

19. VISUAL CALL SIGNS Dp5 Dp5p1 Shortened version Dp9p9p3 Dp9p6p3
USS Kidd (DDG-993)
Dp9p6p3
USS Spruance (DD-963)
Dp5p1
Dp5
USS Arleigh Burke
Shortened version
(DDG-51)

20. INTERNATIONAL CALL SIGNS
Call signs assigned to all radio stations
- First letter indicates nationality of the station
U. S. Navy call signs begin with "N" USN ships are required to hoist their call sign when in inland waters

21. These pennants are used to change the meaning of a signal
GOVERNING PENNANTS
These pennants are used to change the meaning of a signal
Negative
Interrogative
Preparative
("Prep")

22. To question a signal that is not understood:
turn
port
tree
eight
Interrogative
turn
port
tree
eight
To question a signal that is not understood:
- hoist the signal at the dip
- hoist INT closed up on the next halyard

23. PREP - tells addressee to prepare for an evolution
NEGAT - cancels all or part of a signal
Signal
Cancels entire signal
Cancels part of signal

24. Single Pennants and Flags
Flags and pennants have special meanings when flown singly
CO's absentee
Guide
Transferring fuel or ammo

25. A flag/pennant flying in a superior position
governs the flags on adjacent hoists
Signals from Pub 102 will begin with the Code pennant.
Pub 102 uses number
pennants
NOT
number flags!
"Code Hotel Tango"
"NEGAT Turn Port Niner"

26. Name:_____________ VISUAL MESSAGE BLANK BT REQ 3 DOZEN COOKIES FOR
HEADING
INFO:
TO:
FROM:
DATE
RELEASED BY
SYSTEM
PRECEDENCE
CALL UP
OPERATOR
SUPERVISOR
TOR/TOD
VISUAL NR
FLAG
C OF S
CAPT
OOD
COMM CEN
DTG BT
REQ 3
DOZEN
COOKIES
FOR
TOMORROW’S
CONREP. BT
UNCLASS
CONREP
USS DOC
USS SWOS
TODAY
OOD FL R
COMDESRON THREE

27. VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS