The letter N is also used for minus 13; this is provided for a ship in zone minus 12 keeping daylight saving time. BEARING, DIRECTION, AND DISTANCE True bearing is signaled by three numerals. Such a signal may be used in conjunction with any signal group to indicate the bearing of the subject of that group. Relative direction may be signaled by the PORT flag or STARBOARD pennant. One or two numerals may be used to indicate the number of tens of degrees from right ahead. Bearing and distance, unless otherwise stated, are indicated by the numeral group for bearing, followed by the position or unit indicated (if required) and the numeral group for distance in miles. SINGLE FLAGS AND PENNANTS Some single (including basic maneuvering) flags and pennants are in almost constant use by ships in port as well as under way. Many are used so commonly that all hands aboard ship soon know them. Whenever BRAVO is seen flying, for instance, all hands should know that flammable or explosive material is being handled and that the smoking lamp is out. When two or more single flags or pennants are shown in the same hoist, they must be separated by TACK. Single flags or pennants may be hoisted also with groups from the signal book if separated from the group and themselves by TACK. Signals from the single flag and pennant tables are not to be preceded by EMERGENCY. Individual flags following EMERGENCY have different meanings. Example: OSCAR, when hoisted alone, means man overboard, which is certainly an emergency situation. However, EMERGENCY O has an entirely different meaning. Its meaning may be found in chapter 3 of the signal book. Single flags also are used in international signaling; do not confuse the meanings of signals under the two procedures. EMERGENCY SIGNALS When an emergency exists, or when the tactical situation is such that speed is the main consideration in executing a maneuver, the originator hoists the EMERGENCY pennant as the first flag on the hoist. Any received signal preceded by EMERGENCY is acted upon as soon as understood. The originator sounds six short blasts on the ship's whistle to call attention to the hoist and, if other than the OTC, passes the signal to the OTC by the most expeditious means authorized. Emergency signals made by flaghoist are repeated by all ships. FIRST SUB and the originator's call sign are only used with emergency alarm signals. Emergency action signals are repeated flag for flag. When EMERGENCY is shown with several signal groups, it governs all groups when either separated from them by TACK or hoisted in a superior position on an adjacent halyard. If EMERGENCY is required to govern only one of several groups, it immediately precedes the group to be governed. EMERGENCY preceding a call executes all signals flying under a similar call sign as soon as understood. Used without a call, EMERGENCY executes all signals flying without a call. FLAG HOIST PROCEDURES LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain the procedures for acknowledging, answering, canceling, correcting, and relaying flaghoist signals. ANSWERING AND ACKNOWLEDGING In transmitting a flaghoist signal, the originator hoists the flags close up with the upper (first) flag against the block. Addressees answer the signal by repeating the hoist, flag for flag, at the dip. Heavy ships and unit commanders will always repeat flag for flag. Small ships will normally act in the same manner; but when signaling conditions warrant, they may use ANS alone or below the call of the originator if necessary to avoid confusion. A flag officer or unit commander may answer a flaghoist addressed to him/her from a ship or unit commander junior to him/her by hoisting ANS at the dip, either alone or below the originator's call. This action tells the originator that an addressee has read the signal correctly. It does not, however, mean that the addressee knows what the message says. The signal watch supervisor should assist in verifying the accuracy of incoming and outgoing signals. An addressee keeps the hoist at the dip while the OOD and CIC compare interpretations of the signal. When the OOD, by using the term Understood, signal understood, or a similar phrase, orders you to 5-13