international Flag Sets

[Polunu880]

while crusing do i need the international flag set?
or will just the "Q" flag due for the entering the port.

[FSMike]

You need the courtesy flag for each country you visit.

[maxingout]

We purchased nearly all of our courtesy flags from Christine Davis Flags in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She has them all. She is at courtesyflags.com.

courtesyflags.com

We ended up visiting a few places not on our initial courtesy flag list, and once used a homemade flag to visit Israel. We have been to her shop many times, and she is always helpful. She makes many of the flags that are sold in marine stores.

[Polunu880]

I am not asking about courtesy flags, I am asking about the international signal flag set.

[swagman]

Hi Polunu,
You are unlikely to need a full set of signal flags - unless you wish to dress ship for a special occassion.
Practically the only signal flags we see used regularly is that Q flag when cruising, some numerals and letters to denote division when we are racing, the A flag of course when protesting, and the M flag hoisted from port side when we've Scottish guests on board!
Cheers
JOHN

[Zanshin]

The "Q" Flag is sufficient.

The "A" flag is internationally used to show a diver down (rather than the red-and-white diagonal stripe commonly seen), the distress "N" and "C" combination could be used if VHF is not working (but I doubt that any but commercial or military vessels would understand it).

[FSMike]

Make sure to use the red and white stripe flag to indicate divers in the water in the USA because few of us know what the "A" flag means. That's why you see dive boats in this country with both flags - one to be legal and the other to protect their divers.

[David M]

To be legal, the Alpha flag must be made of rigid material. A real flag though is better than nothing.

[Martinini]

A solid dark blue flag is handy for singlehanders---------- Denotes absent from helm(cockpit).

[chala]

Originally Posted by Martinini

A solid dark blue flag is handy for singlehanders---------- Denotes absent from helm(cockpit).

Good so long other people know.
Blue pennant can also be SU = subdivision.
Blue burgee can also be ST = stationing
Blue flag can also be 1

[kerrydeare]

Originally Posted by Martinini

A solid dark blue flag is handy for singlehanders ... Denotes absent from helm(cockpit).

Always interesting to turn up a new angle on things. Haven't run across this in several decades of single-handing. What is the official designation of this flag and can you give a source (I will Google as soon as I can)? Thanks.

[David M]

I only know of the Third Repeater which means the master is not onboard. Its also informally known as the "party flag" by the crew.

[Zanshin]

Dark Solid Blue is one I haven't heard of, that flag doesn't exist in the official international flag set (International Code of Signals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Even if someone were to see and understand it, unfortunately for me as a singlehander that flag still won't absolve me from Part A Rule 5:

Rule 5 requires that "every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

[kerrydeare]

Originally Posted by David M

I only know of the Third Repeater which means the master is not onboard. Its also informally known as the "party flag" by the crew.

This one I AM familiar with. In the Islands where large yachts congregate, vagrant single-handers like me kept a watchful eye for this pennant. It usually meant that the steaks in the deep freeze would soon be a-grillin' and the music soon a-playin'. Just tie up (carefully) to the aft swim platform and climb the steps.

[Martinini]

Wow started something here. I don't remember which set of rules, regulations I was reading when I found this. At the time there was a picture of the flag. Listed as dark blue, looked black to me. I just made a mental note of it as it was something that was easily do-able. If no one else knows about it, I guess it is something I won't be using after all. I remember thinking at the time --- why not just make it black? Live a little, Learn a lot.