Create your own Nautical Flag Art at Delaware Seashore State Park

Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m.

Rehoboth Beach, DE– The International Code of Signals is a system of signals that mariners will use to communicate messages between vessels, typically regarding safety and navigation.  The surfmen of the United States Life-Saving Service likely used the code on a regular basis.  The first International Code of Signals was drafted in 1855 and consisted of 18 different flags that could communicate up to 70,000 different messages.  The code was particularly helpful when language barriers existed between vessels.

The International Code of Signals has gone through a number of revisions over the years, but it is still used today.  A series of flags can be displayed to spell out a word or message, or many of the individual flags have specific messages behind them.

The Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum will be hosting a program on May 13 at 7 p.m. for park visitors to learn about the International Code of Signals.  Participants will then create their own message by painting a series of signal flags on a rustic piece of wood to display in their home or yard.  In an effort to recycle and reuse park materials, each piece of wood has been hand cut from old picnic tables from the Delaware Seashore State Park campground.

This program is $20 per person and is suitable for ages 15 and up.  Pre-registration is required by calling the Indian River Life-Saving Station at (302) 227-6991.  For more information on this or other programs at Delaware Seashore State Park, please visit destateparks.com.