Courtesy Flags

[markpierce]

Right to left: Canadian (courtesy) flag, British Columbia (provincial) courtesy flag, fueling signal, keep-clear signal, and private flag.

[goboatingnow]

Great , but where do you hank on the Jib, and its look like marina fees might be fairly large.


Seriously regional courtesy flags should never be flown from the starboard side , fly anything you like on the port side.


dave

[FSMike]

Originally Posted by cal40john

I've read in books that there is no legal requirement in the U.S. for courtesy flags, a quick internet search so far hasn't found a requirement. Do you have specifics as to which states or countries require courtesy flags?

I could see that local officials could harass you without having the law to back them up though.

It's not required in Canada, from:
Rules for Flying the Flag - Anthems and Symbols - Canadian Identity
Foreign vessels may fly the Canadian flag as a "courtesy flag" when they are berthed in a Canadian port. The flag then is customarily flown from the foremast.


RYA doesn't think it's a law, from:
Courtesy Flag | Boating Abroad | Information & Advice | RYA

It is customary, but not obligatory, when visiting the waters of another country,

Well, you may be right.
I'm a USA citizen, so the only knowledge of US courtesy flag regs I have comes from talking to foreign skippers.
In the Bahamas I have been instructed by officialdom to fly the Q flag until I've cleared in, then to lower it and fly the courtesy flag until the boat left the Bahamas.
The only other countries I've cleared into were the Turks & Caicos and the Dominican Republic. I followed the same procedure in both cases, and nobody said anything one way or the other.
Obviously my experience is limited, so if I'm wrong please accept my apologies.

[carstenb]

I landed at Gilbrator a couple of years ago. The dockhand, told us in no uncertain terms that the first thing we needed to do - before anything else, was hoist the british courtesy flag.

Later that day, I saw a notice on the harbor board, signed by the port captain, that any vessel not flying a british courtesy flag was to refused admittance to the harbor until said vessel had regained their manners and were showing the proper respect

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by FSMike

Well, you may be right.
I'm a USA citizen, so the only knowledge of US courtesy flag regs I have comes from talking to foreign skippers.
In the Bahamas I have been instructed by officialdom to fly the Q flag until I've cleared in, then to lower it and fly the courtesy flag until the boat left the Bahamas.
The only other countries I've cleared into were the Turks & Caicos and the Dominican Republic. I followed the same procedure in both cases, and nobody said anything one way or the other.
Obviously my experience is limited, so if I'm wrong please accept my apologies.

Requesting " free practique" is a policy rarely adhered to these days. In most cases you have to go ashore to clear in , unlike the time you were cleared at sea. Hence these days , especially in the med. I fly the courtesy flag , once inside the territorial sea limit.

Dave

[StuM]

> Requesting " free practique" is a policy rarely adhered to these days. In most cases you have to go ashore to clear in , unlike the time you were cleared at sea. Hence these days , especially in the med. I fly the courtesy flag , once inside the territorial sea limit.

The Q flag is a requirement when entering Australia:

information for yachts travelling to australia - arrival

When you arrive in Australia, you must first call at a port of entry where Customs, Quarantine and Immigration formalities can be completed.

...

When entering Australian waters you are required to clearly display the International Pratique Q-flag (yellow). A further requirement is that the craft travels directly to an appointed boarding station.

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by StuM

> Requesting " free practique" is a policy rarely adhered to these days. In most cases you have to go ashore to clear in , unlike the time you were cleared at sea. Hence these days , especially in the med. I fly the courtesy flag , once inside the territorial sea limit.

The Q flag is a requirement when entering Australia:

information for yachts travelling to australia - arrival

When you arrive in Australia, you must first call at a port of entry where Customs, Quarantine and Immigration formalities can be completed.

...

When entering Australian waters you are required to clearly display the International Pratique Q-flag (yellow). A further requirement is that the craft travels directly to an appointed boarding station.

I know , I said rarely adhered too, also rather then abandoned under law. Many countries have the requirement, but often as not over look the lack of a Q flag , less so the courtesy flag I find funnily enough.

Dave

[vtsailguy]

Originally Posted by Fitsthebill

If I see a pirate flag I am thinking delusional doper or too immature to be on the water. Flags are a serious matter and confiscation a way of gathering revenue so if you want a laugh think of it as the last laugh on YOU….

Perhaps your just annoyed they are ahead of you round the buoys ....

[vtsailguy]

and before anyone says it, yes, I know that they are on the wrong spreader and that's the wrong British flag........

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by vtsailguy

and before anyone says it, yes, I know that they are on the wrong spreader and that's the wrong British flag........

serious breach of maritime ensign rules going on there. given the flag below it , I presume its to be expected


The spreader is correct the starboard is considered superior to the port.

dave