Yankee Flag

Yankee, letter Y of the International Code of Signals, means “I am dragging my anchor.” The flag carries diagonal yellow and red stripes. A vessel at anchor hoists it singly to warn that it is no longer holding and is being carried by wind or current, a hazard to itself and to anything astern of it. Bridge teams read it with the anchor watch and the windlass crew standing by to re-set or weigh.