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Pilot Flags

Last modified: 2004-09-18 by phil nelson
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The change from "national pilot signal flags" to "international pilot signal flags" began just over a hundred years ago. In 1899 the International Code of Signals Committee wrote; "We recommended that flag S when hoisted alone should be an international pilot signal signifying 'I want a pilot.' At present the single flag signal to be used by British vessels requiring a pilot is the Union Jack with a white border. This flag is not suitable for international use, and there is great diversity of practice among foreign countries in regard to the signal to be made by vessels wanting pilots. Some countries use their jacks with a white border, while other countries use their ensigns or jacks without a white border, or the blue peter or a special flag; and others seem to have no single flag signal for a pilot and use the flags P and T of the International Code, which mean 'I want a pilot'. We gather that foreign maritime powers are generally agreed as to the desirability of there being an internationally recognised single-flag signal for a pilot and we are of the opinion that flag S (blue centre with white border) is well adapted for the purpose. We therefore recommend that the Board of Trade should obtain an Order in Council making legal the use of flag S as a signal for a pilot."

At that time the Order in Council in force stated that "the following signals, when used or displayed together or separately shall be deemed to be signals for a pilot in day-time;

  1. At the fore, the Union Jack having around it a white border, one fifth of the breadth of the flag;
  2. The International Code pilotage signal indicated by P.T." An Order in Council of 28th June 1900 added;
  3. The International Code Flag S, with or without the Code Pennant over it;
  4. A distant signal consisting of a cone pointing upwards, having above it two balls, or two shapes resembling balls.

In Flags Of The World published in 1915 Gordon wrote that "the old pilot signals appearing in the books are seldom