Signal flag Mike

A white diagonal cross on blue.

Also known as: Mike flag, Code flag Mike

Sometimes confused with: M pennant

Maps & navigationSafety & hazardStandard profile

Meanings

The International Code of Signals flag for the letter Mike, whose single-flag meaning is: My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Flown alone, signals: My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
Contexts: Public information, Navigation
Historically documentedVerified fact
Distinguishes being stopped from being at anchor and from being disabled, three states the Code signals with three different flags.
Contexts: Public information, Navigation

A blue rectangular flag carrying a white saltire running corner to corner.

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

IMO Resolution A.1116(30), Escape route signs and equipment location markings
International Maritime Organization · retrieved 2026-08-22
The resolution text is not reproduced here and has NOT BEEN READ in full. Registered so records can state that a life-saving appliance marking is defined by the IMO rather than by convention, and which broad class it belongs to. See docs/paywalled-standards.md.
ITU Radio Regulations and the maritime signalling appendices
International Telecommunication Union · retrieved 2026-08-27
Cited for the identity of maritime and radio signalling conventions defined by the ITU. Not cited for national licensing arrangements.

Last reviewed 2026-08-27

Meanings

The International Code of Signals flag for the letter Mike, whose single-flag meaning is: My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Flown alone, signals: My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.

Historically documentedVerified fact

Distinguishes being stopped from being at anchor and from being disabled, three states the Code signals with three different flags.

Confidence

IdentityHigh confidence: High confidence because the identity is defined by a current official standard.
Historical originModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useHigh confidence: High confidence because the current use is defined by a current official standard.
Visual matchHigh confidence: High confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references.

Sources

IMO Resolution A.1116(30), Escape route signs and equipment location markings
International Maritime Organization · retrieved 2026-08-22
The resolution text is not reproduced here and has NOT BEEN READ in full. Registered so records can state that a life-saving appliance marking is defined by the IMO rather than by convention, and which broad class it belongs to. See docs/paywalled-standards.md.
ITU Radio Regulations and the maritime signalling appendices
International Telecommunication Union · retrieved 2026-08-27
Cited for the identity of maritime and radio signalling conventions defined by the ITU. Not cited for national licensing arrangements.

Last reviewed 2026-08-27