Nautical flags are still used for almost all of competitive sailing. They work exceptionally well. Sailboat races are typically started between an anchored bo

Nautical flags are still used for almost all of competitive sailing. They work exceptionally well. Sailboat races are typically started between an anchored boat with a flag and an anchored buoy. There is a countdown with sound signals and flags. If the race committee decides to enact a special starting rule, they do so with a signal flag. If a boat has started early, it's indicated by a signal flag. I'm 30 and in my life in my local fleet handheld VHFs have become popular, but even so signal flags are not going anywhere. I can recall and draw much of the alphabet because of this: B, C, I, L, N, Z, X, S, Y, P, 1st repeater and 2nd repeater are all vital in sailboat racing.