Several vessels are at an anchorage. You wish to communicate with the vessel bearing 046° T from you but do not know the vessels call letters. Which flag hoist should NOT be used to establish communications?
• International Code of Signals (ICS) procedures for calling an unknown vessel • Meaning and use of basic two-letter groups like CS, RQ, VF • How to indicate a vessel by bearing and/or position in a signal
• Look up what each two-letter group (CS, RQ, VF) means in the International Code of Signals and ask: which one is not primarily about starting or requesting communication? • Consider how you would identify a specific ship among many at anchor when you do NOT know its call sign—what extra information must you add to your signal? • Think about which option would instead be an order or instruction to the other vessel, rather than a call to establish communications.
• Verify in the ICS that CS and RQ are both related to communication rather than maneuvering or safety orders. • Check whether bearing information (046° T) would normally be sent as part of a signal group like in option B or C when you don’t know the call letters. • Confirm if any choice (especially VF) is used for something other than establishing communications, such as directing the vessel’s immediate actions.
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