Recognise the flag, understand the message and listen for the sound. “Up” means displayed; “down” means removed. A signal above a class, fleet, event or race-area flag applies only to that group.
The standard start is 5–4–1–0 minutes: warning, preparatory flag up, preparatory flag down, start. Time your start from the flags, even if you miss a sound. Check the notice of race and sailing instructions for any changes.
Warning signal for that fleet. Standard sequence: five minutes before starting.
What to do
Start your countdown when this goes up. Stay on the pre-start side until it comes down at your start.
Sound / timing
Up at 5 minutes: 1 short sound (warning). Down at 0 minutes: 1 short sound (start).
Normal preparation. Return fully behind the line if early.
What to do
Prepare to race. If any part of your hull is over at the start, return fully to the pre-start side and start again.
Sound / timing
Up at 4 minutes: 1 short sound. Down at 1 minute: 1 long sound. P adds no extra last-minute penalty.
Last-minute line or extension infringement: return around an end before starting.
What to do
During the last minute, keep your hull behind the line and its extensions. If you cross, sail around an end to return before starting; dipping back through the line is not enough.
Sound / timing
Up at 4 minutes: 1 short sound. Down at 1 minute: 1 long sound. The penalty restriction applies during the final minute, after the flag is down.
Last-minute entry into the start–first-mark triangle: 20% scoring penalty.
What to do
Keep your hull outside the start–first-mark triangle during the last minute. If early, still return and start correctly; returning does not erase a 20% penalty. Another infringement on a restart adds another penalty.
Sound / timing
Up at 4 minutes: 1 short sound. Down at 1 minute: 1 long sound. The penalty restriction applies during the final minute, after the flag is down.
Last-minute triangle infringement: disqualified; restriction resets for a restart or resail.
What to do
Keep your hull outside the start–first-mark triangle during the last minute. If identified inside it, you are disqualified from this start; returning cannot fix it. The penalty does not carry into a restart or resail.
Sound / timing
Up at 4 minutes: 1 short sound. Down at 1 minute: 1 long sound. The penalty restriction applies during the final minute, after the flag is down.
Last-minute triangle infringement: disqualified, including a restart or resail; not if postponed or abandoned before starting.
What to do
Keep your hull outside the start–first-mark triangle during the last minute. If your sail number is posted after a general recall or abandonment after the start, do not join the restart of that race.
Sound / timing
Up at 4 minutes: 1 short sound. Down at 1 minute: 1 long sound. The penalty restriction applies during the final minute, after the flag is down.
Individual recall: affected boats must return.
What to do
If your hull was over at the start, return fully behind the line and start correctly. Under I, return around an end. X does not identify which boat is early; decide whether it applies to you.
Sound / timing
Up promptly after the start: 1 short sound. Down: no sound, once all affected boats have returned and complied, or at the Rule 29.1 time limit (normally no later than 4 minutes after the start).
General recall. New warning one minute after removal.
What to do
Everyone in the recalled fleet returns for a new start. After removal, wait one minute for the new warning, then restart your countdown.
Sound / timing
Up: 2 sounds. Down: 1 sound.
Start delayed. Warning one minute after removal, unless postponed again or abandoned.
What to do
Stop your starting countdown. Stay ready near the start. One minute after removal, expect a new warning unless another postponement or abandonment is signalled.
Sound / timing
Up: 2 sounds. Down: 1 sound.
Start delayed; further signals ashore.
What to do
The start is postponed. Return ashore safely and look for the next signal there.
Sound / timing
Up: 2 sounds Down: no sound specified.
Start delayed; no more racing today.
What to do
No more racing today. Return ashore safely.
Sound / timing
Up: 2 sounds Down: no sound specified.
Delay that many hours from the scheduled start.
What to do
Read the numeral for the delay in hours from the scheduled start. Check further signals and the sailing instructions before preparing again.
Sound / timing
Up: 2 sounds. Down: 1 sound.
Race abandoned. Return to the start; warning one minute after removal unless delayed again.
What to do
Stop racing and return to the starting area. Expect a warning one minute after removal unless racing is postponed or abandoned again.
Sound / timing
Up: 3 sounds. Down: 1 sound.
Race abandoned; further signals ashore.
What to do
Stop racing, return ashore safely and look for further signals there.
Sound / timing
Up: 3 sounds Down: no sound specified.
Race abandoned; no more racing today.
What to do
Stop racing. There is no more racing today; return ashore safely.
Sound / timing
Up: 3 sounds Down: no sound specified.
Shortened course: finish as Rule 32.2 directs.
What to do
Prepare to finish at the shortened-course line. At a rounding mark, finish between that mark and the staff with S; at a gate, finish between the gate marks. See Rule 32.2 for other cases.
Sound / timing
Up: 2 sounds Down: no sound specified.
Next leg changed. Green triangle: starboard; red rectangle: port; − shorter; + longer.
What to do
Before sailing the next leg, read the direction or length change. Sail to the changed next mark rather than following the old course.
Sound / timing
Repetitive sounds.
This object replaces a missing mark.
What to do
Treat the object showing M as the missing mark: pass or round it on the required side.
Sound / timing
Repetitive sounds.
This staff is a starting-line end.
What to do
Identify this staff as one end of the starting line. It is not your starting signal; follow your fleet’s warning and preparatory sequence.
Sound / timing
No sound.
This staff is a finishing-line end.
What to do
Identify this staff as one end of the finishing line. Cross the correct finishing line from the course side.
Sound / timing
No sound.
Ashore: read the new notice. Afloat: come within hail or follow.
What to do
Ashore: read the new notice before racing. Afloat: come close enough to hear the committee, or follow the vessel as directed.
Sound / timing
Up: 1 sound. Down: no sound specified.
Wear your personal flotation device.
What to do
Wear a properly secured personal flotation device. Y afloat before or with the warning applies while racing; Y ashore applies while afloat that day. Rule 40 may also require one without Y.
Sound / timing
Up: 1 sound. Down: no sound specified.
Monitor the communication channel for safety instructions.
What to do
Monitor the communication channel specified in the sailing instructions and follow safety instructions. Boats and support vessels may be asked to help a person or vessel in danger.
Sound / timing
Up: 1 long sound. Down: no sound specified.
Displayed below AP, the numeral gives the postponement in hours from the scheduled starting time.
C is accompanied by a green triangle for a change to starboard, a red rectangle for port, a minus sign for a shorter leg, or a plus sign for a longer leg.
Coaching explanations checked against World Sailing’s 2025–2028 race signals and rules, corrected April 2026. Updated 11 October 2026. Event-specific flags must be explained in that event’s sailing instructions.
