Lima (L)
maritime signalsmaritimesignal flagnavigation
The Lima flag is a yellow and black checkerboard pattern divided into four quarters. It carries a dual meaning depending on location: in port, it indicates the ship is under quarantine; at sea, it urgently commands 'Stop your vessel instantly.' This makes it one of the most context-dependent flags in the code.
The quarantine meaning dates back centuries when plague ships were forced to anchor away from port and fly a warning flag. The word 'quarantine' itself comes from the Italian 'quaranta giorni,' meaning forty days, the period ships had to wait before passengers could disembark.
Adopted: 1857
