It’s one of the many questions guests ask our crew on our Maui snorkeling tours:

What do the flags represent?

Well—it’s a very simple answer:

The flags on the Trilogy logo each represent a letter, which when put together spell out "Trilogy."

Nautical flags are an international code system used by ships at sea to communicate with one another or to people on shore. They can be used alone or in combination and are helpful in situations of language barriers or radio silence. The flags spell out short messages regarding safety of navigation. When the flags are used individually or in specific combination they have special meanings:

• One-flag signals are urgent or very common signals

• Two-flag signals are mostly distress and maneuvering signals.

• Three-flag signals are for points of the compass, relative bearings, standard times, verbs, punctuation, and also general code and decode signals.

• Four-flags are used for geographical signals, names of ships, bearings, etc.

• Five-flag signals are those relating to time and position.

• Six flag signals are used when necessary to indicate north or south or east or west in latitude and longitude signals.

From Maritime Connector (2017).  International Maritime Signal Flags.  

Where did the flags come from?

Prior to 1855, various flag systems were in use by the navy and private parties. In that same year, British Board of Trade drafted the first international code consisting of 18 flags, and the system included universal as well as British-only signals.

During World War I, communications by flags failed more often than it succeeded and the system was revised to include seven languages. Many years and many modifications later, the system has become less about spelling out communications and more focused on relaying safety information.

What's with the primary colors?

Since not all colors are easily distinguishable at sea, International Code Flags are made up of black, white, red, blue and yellow. The colors that are combined are specifically chosen for simple discernment.