pilot flag

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. the flag symbolizing the letter G in the International Code of Signals, flown by itself to request a pilot from a pilot service: a flag of three yellow and three blue vertical stripes.

2. the flag symbolizing the letter H in the International Code of Signals, flown by itself to indicate that a pilot is on board: a flag with one white and one red vertical stripe.

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Example Sentences

"Hoist the pilot flag," he ordered.

From Project Gutenberg

The pilot flag—S International—was quickly forthcoming.

From Project Gutenberg

Up with the pilot flag!” he cried.

From Project Gutenberg

She was a West India barque, with a Gravesend pilot on board, and his pilot flag was found hoisted in the unusual position of the mizzen topmast head, a fact which was interpreted by the Deal boatmen as a message—a last message to his friends, and as much as to say, 'It's me that's gone.'

From Project Gutenberg

Joe Daygo was a slow thinker, and all this took him a long time to hammer out; and he had just settled it comfortably, on his way home, when he caught sight of the pilot flag flying, and paid no heed.

From Project Gutenberg