Signal Flags J – “Juliet” and I – “India”

This one and half foot long blue and white horizontal striped flag is the signal flag “J – JULIET”. When this flag is flown by itself it communicates to other surrounding ships that it is either on fire or is leaking with dangerous cargo and all nearby ships must keep clear of the vessel. 

The signal flag “I – INDIA” – is represented by a yellow background with a black dot at the center as seen on this three-foot-long square flag. INDIA relays the message to other vessels that it is altering its course to port.

When the two are partnered with one another, it is asking another vessel if they are stuck or have run aground.