Navigation and Seamanship

4.2.3. Purpose of ICS

- To provide ways and measures of communication in situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons especially when language difficulties arise.

- In the case of radio telephony and radio telegraphy, which provide simple and effective means of communication in plain language, where there is no language difficulties.

The code of signals consists of:

1. Single-letter signals allocated to significations which are very urgent, important, or of very common use.

2. Two-letter signals for the General Section.

3. Three-letter signals beginning with “M” for the Medical Section to exchange message between ships carrying a doctor and one not carrying on the treatment, condition, diagnosis of a sick or injured person.