First substitute
ICS · First substitute
In short: Repeats the topmost (first) flag of the group it follows. Thanks to the substitutes you can send a signal with a repeated flag while carrying only one set of flags on board.
In plain English
Repeats the topmost (first) flag of the group it follows. Thanks to the substitutes you can send a signal with a repeated flag while carrying only one set of flags on board.
Where you will really see it
Example: the group VV is flag V and the first substitute. A substitute repeats only a flag of its own class (a letter for a letter, a numeral for a numeral) and never repeats another substitute.
Related flags
Keep going
- All signal flags: the search box and the full grid.
- Interactive mast: build your own hoist.
- Single-letter signals cheat sheet A to Z on one page.
The single-letter meanings are quoted 1:1 from Pub 102 International Code of Signals (NGA, public domain); the plain-English explanations are our own. Flag graphics: signal-flag-images (Unlicense).