Flag P (Papa)
ICS · P code word: Papa pronounced: PAH-PAH Morse: ·−−·
In short: In harbor: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction". It may also be used as a sound to mean: "I require a pilot".
Single-letter meaning (Pub 102)
In harbor: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction". It may also be used as a sound to mean: "I require a pilot".
Morse sign
·−−·
Dot = short sound, dash = long (three times longer). Hear it in the Morse translator.
In plain English
The famous Blue Peter: a blue flag with a white rectangle. In harbour it means: the ship is about to sail, all crew report on board.
Where you will really see it
The traditional signal before sailing, still recognisable in seafaring culture. On the fishing grounds and as a sound signal it has separate meanings (fishing and pilot).
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).