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