INTRODUCTION. The Boat Book contains information and instructions pertaining to boats, boat exercises, boat equipment, duties of boat personnel, a description of flags and instructions for their use, instructions for the transmission of signals and dispatches (naval procedure), international signals of distress, storm and life-saving signals, "boat signals." Such special pennant signals as may be required for maneuvering boats precede the boat signals proper. The boat signals proper are for intercommunication between ships and boats and consist of three letters, of which the second or third letter is always the letter "E." "E" is the distinguishing letter for boats. The signal meanings are arranged alphabetically and indexed under the primary words. Many of the boat signals may be adapted to communication with tugs. |