International Code of Signals? (also posted on SN)

[Varley]

I remember both the old man and self being puzzled by a response from (I think) Koper harbour authority in 1972. It was MIJMA.

The puzzle has returned to me every now and again without remedy until last week. It is the 1931 International Signal code for "You have pratique". Volume II "For Radio Signalling"

It came to me as a surprise that there was an International code of Signals and that an update was produced in 1969. Whilst the update has ZY group for pratique granted rather than MIJMA I am not querying the delay in Yugoslavia taking up the new code (which Senegal list as still in use) but that there was a code at all. The only code I learned for my ticket was the Q code.

Anyone else in the same boat?

[Tom Alexander]

Yes - Kind of -- When at sea (56-60) if I remember correctly we had a book of International Signal codes covering 1 to 4 flag hoists. Many years ago after swallowing the hook, but still a boat owner, I looked for a similar book, and found one but only with the standard one flag hoists (indelibly printed in memory) and two flag hoists. I suspect I am probably one of the few private boat owners who can boast possession of a complete set of International Code flags. I also make a point of dipping my Ensign to any passing armed Naval vessel. (Just to see them send some poor bloke scurrying down to their taffrail to dip theirs.

[Varley]

Should you discover a want for the general codes or the geographical section (for such useful abbreviations for Abcess in the Groin AIJ or, appropriately, The Terribles AQAW - somewhere in Burma I gather) then I'm now your man.