Pirate ships often flew the flag of a friendly country as they sailed toward the ship they planned to rob.

VOA: special.2009.05.24

It can be used for two- way communication, such as between a ship and land.

VOA: special.2010.01.31

There was such a large crowd that a ship's cable, a heavy rope, was stretched across the portico to separate the crowd from Jackson as he took the oath and delivered his inaugural address.

VOA: special.2009.01.19

The army's report was published as an aid ship hired by a Libyan charity is sailing toward Gaza and plans to defy the blockade.

VOA: standard.2010.07.12

The vessel was flying an Antiguan flag and disguised as an aid ship.

VOA: standard.2009.11.04

Australian authorities originally said about 30 tons of oil were lost when 31 containers of fertilizer slipped from the Hong Kong-flagged "Pacific Adventurer" ship and punctured fuel tanks in the hull as the ship was battered in cyclone-stirred waters.

VOA: standard.2009.03.13

Phillips told the FBI agent that Muse was the first to board his ship and, in his words, "conducted himself as the leader of the pirates" Phillips said while the pirates held him hostage aboard the lifeboat, Muse told him he had hijacked other ships before.

VOA: standard.2009.04.22