National
No replacement yet for Navy signal flags
By Arunkumar Bhatt
MUMBAI, JAN. 26. Like radio, the latest satellite-aided microwave communication systems have also failed to replace the good old signal flags, semaphore and flash lights used on warships for communication, in a spin- off that has retained the romance of sailing besides the link with maritime history.
This became evident during the Navy's exercise held in the Arabian Sea two days ago. But the Navy did not aim at keeping the flags in vogue. It was maintaining strict electronic silence, not to give away the warships' position in the sea.
The signal flags hoisted on a ship's main mast can be seen by only those ships which are in its visual contact. Long range aircraft, weapons and sensors ensure that only friends can be within the horizon.
When the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, started launching its anti-submarine warfare Sea King helicopters, went up its main mast, the Kilo for `K', a square white flag having within a bright red square angling its sides.
This got lowered to make way for the flag Foxtrot for `F' when the carrier started launching its fixed wing, Sea Harriers. The carrier was to keep its escorts and other friendly ships informed about its combat activities.
One could see different flags or their combinations being hoisted or lowered to communicate. These could be in accordance with internationally accepted codes or the Navy's own codes.
One of the most modern warship, a Delhi class, came alongside the Viraat to perform `jackstay.' A projectile was fired from the carrier that threw across the forward area of the destroyer, attached to it was a thin line. It was pulled in by the waiting sailors and at its end was a rope.
As they established the temporary `ropeway' between the two ships to be able to pass both men and material, the destroyer flew a pennant, indicating the preparations. This is a tricky job, requiring officers of both vessels to have the highest degree of seamanship. A small mistake could result in a collision.
At the end of the task, the destroyer hoisted a combination - Yankee-Tango - indicating that she was disengaging. Later, she took a hard turn `starboard', flying `Romeo' to say that she was returning to its battle station.
But when the messages are long and urgent, a chief petty officer stands on the deck with a brightly coloured small flag in each hand. His hands take different positions and each one indicates a letter or code. This is called semaphore.
In case of poor visibility or horizon distance, a signal lamp or small flashing search light is used. It has a quick opening and closing shutter to produce long and short flashes indicating dashes and dots of the Morse Code. One needs a trained eye to decipher a combination of long and short flashes.
``Days are not far when we would be using satellite telephone linked laptop computers to transmit data and communicate in real time. In fact, it has begun in the navies of the world but I don't think that would replace these beautiful flags,'' said a naval communication specialist. He is right. During the International Fleet Review held in Mumbai last year, the warships of even advanced countries were seen flying signal flags to communicate various things. The same flags are used to decorate the ships for ceremonies. They hang along a line hoisted from stem to stern. Such a ship is called ``dressed overall''.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
National
|
