Race signals: flags and sounds, RRS 2025–2028

Reading the sounds. ↑ means the signal is displayed and ↓ that it is removed. Each • is one short sound, — is one long sound, and ••• means repeated sounds. Time is always taken from the flag; a missing or late sound does not change the timing (rule 26). A signal shown over a class, fleet, event or race-area flag applies only to that group.

The starting sequence

The standard five-minute sequence of rule 26. The notice of race or sailing instructions may set a different interval for the warning signal; three-minute sequences are common in dinghy fleets.

Minutes to start	Flag	Sound	Signal
5	Class flag up	One	Warning signal
4	P, I, Z, Z and I, U or black flag up	One	Preparatory signal
1	Preparatory flag down	One long	One minute
0	Class flag down	One	Starting signal

Postponement

Postponement applies to races not yet started. When the postponement flag comes down (one sound), the warning signal follows one minute later unless the race is postponed again or abandoned.

AP (answering pennant)

↑ •• · ↓ •

Ashore: Racing is postponed; do not leave the harbour. The sailing instructions say how long after AP comes down the next warning signal will be (often not less than 30 minutes).

Afloat: Races not started are postponed. Warning signal one minute after AP comes down.

rule 27.3

AP over H

↑ ••

Races not started are postponed. Go ashore; further signals will be made there.

rule 27.3

AP over A

↑ ••

Races not started are postponed. No more racing today.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 1

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 1 hour from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 2

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 2 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 3

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 3 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 4

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 4 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 5

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 5 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 6

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 6 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 7

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 7 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 8

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 8 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

AP over numeral pennant 9

↑ •• · ↓ •

Postponed 9 hours from the scheduled starting time.

rule 27.3

Abandonment

Since 2025 the N signals refer to races in progress. To abandon before the start, or to send boats in when some classes have started and others have not, committees combine N signals for races in progress with AP signals for the rest.

N

↑ •••

All races in progress are abandoned. Return to the starting area. Warning signal one minute after N comes down, unless abandoned again or postponed.

rule 32.3

N over H

↑ •••

All races in progress are abandoned. Further signals ashore.

rule 32.3

N over A

↑ •••

All races in progress are abandoned. No more racing today.

rule 32.3

Preparatory signals

Displayed at the preparatory signal, four minutes before the start in the standard sequence, and removed at one minute with a long sound.

P

↑ • · ↓ —

Preparatory signal. No special starting penalty.

rule 26

I

↑ • · ↓ —

I flag rule: if you are over the line or its extensions in the last minute, you must sail round an end to start.

rule 30.1

Z

↑ • · ↓ —

Z flag rule: inside the triangle (line ends and first mark) in the last minute costs a 20% scoring penalty, ZFP.

rule 30.2

U

↑ • · ↓ —

U flag rule: inside the triangle in the last minute and you are disqualified (UFD) unless the race is restarted or resailed.

rule 30.3

Black flag

↑ • · ↓ —

Black flag rule: inside the triangle in the last minute and you are disqualified (BFD), even after a general recall. Your sail number is posted before the next warning signal.

rule 30.4

Recalls

X

↑ •

Individual recall. One or more boats were over at the start or must comply with the I flag rule. Up until all have returned, for up to four minutes.

rule 29.1

First Substitute

↑ •• · ↓ •

General recall. The class starts again; its warning signal is one minute after the First Substitute comes down.

rule 29.2

Shortening and changing the course

S

↑ ••

The course has been shortened. Finish between the mark and the staff showing S (or as rule 32.2 provides).

rule 32.2

C

↑ •••

The position of the next mark has changed. Shown with the new bearing and/or a green triangle (moved to starboard), red rectangle (to port), minus (leg shortened) or plus (leg lengthened).

rule 33

C with green triangle

↑ •••

Next mark moved to starboard.

rule 33

C with red rectangle

↑ •••

Next mark moved to port.

rule 33

C with minus

↑ •••

Next leg shortened.

rule 33

C with plus

↑ •••

Next leg lengthened.

rule 33

Other signals

L

Ashore: A notice to competitors has been posted. Go and read it.

Afloat: Come within hailing distance, or follow this vessel.

M

↑ •••

This object replaces a missing mark. Round it as you would the mark.

rule 34

Y

↑ •

Wear a personal flotation device. Shown afloat at or before the warning signal: for that race. Shown ashore: all day afloat.

rule 40

V

↑ •

Monitor the race committee channel for search and rescue instructions.

rule 37

Orange flag

no sound

Marks one end of the starting line. Under Appendix S, and in many sailing instructions, it is also displayed with one sound at least five minutes before a warning signal to say racing will begin soon.

Blue flag

no sound

Marks one end of the finishing line.

Rule 42 flags (Appendix P)

Used only when the notice of race or sailing instructions apply Appendix P and the class rules relax rule 42 above a wind limit.

O

at a mark: •••

Pumping, rocking and ooching are allowed as the class rules specify. Before or with the warning signal for the start; at a mark, from that mark onwards.

rule P5

R

at a mark: •••

Rule 42 as changed by the class rules applies again. At a mark, from that mark onwards.

rule P5