Cheap Courtesy Flags

[zboss]

Does anyone have a recommendation on where to order courtesy flags on the cheap?

We need the DR, PR, and USVI.

[neelie]

If its only those 3 that you need, then buy them on arrival. For PR an USVI we used the US flag and no one complained.
For the DR we bought it from Papo in Luperon (US$10 I recall). DR officials were keen (in the nicest way) that we should fly their flag.

[Astrid]

I realize that they make courtesy flags for PR and USVI, but as those are US territories, the proper courtesy flag if you are a non-US boat, would be the US national flag. If yours is a US boat, I do not believe you need fly a courtesy flag at all.

[marlinmike]

could always sew your own, heard it done.

[colemj]

We buy ours here: International Stick Flags 12 x 18 inch

They are cheap stick flags - just remove the stick and run a piece of line through them. They only last 3 months (more if it is not windy), but they only cost $2. We just buy a bunch for the countries we are in. If you are not spending longer than 3 months or so, you only need one.

Mark

[MarkJ]

I buy them on arrival. Newsagents always sell flags for school kids. They normally cost about $2 and last a good 3 month stay.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by neelie

If its only those 3 that you need, then buy them on arrival. For PR an USVI we used the US flag and no one complained.
For the DR we bought it from Papo in Luperon (US$10 I recall). DR officials were keen (in the nicest way) that we should fly their flag.

Its true... but the PR's are very proud of their heritage and so is the USVI, and its no skin off my back. So, we will still fly good old stars and stripes well.

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by Astrid

I realize that they make courtesy flags for PR and USVI, but as those are US territories, the proper courtesy flag if you are a non-US boat, would be the US national flag.

That statament does not pass the Geography exam in those places where that is required.. Puerto Rico is not a "territory" like the USVI. It is an "Associated Free State" with its own national flag. Some Puerto Ricans will not be amused about this confusion..



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[colemj]

Originally Posted by svlamorocha

Some Puerto Ricans will not be amused about this confusion..

The practical reality is that if you flew no courtesy flag at all in PR, nobody would even notice or be concerned if they did notice.

Pedantically correct, yes. Practically correct, no.

Mark

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by svlamorocha

That statament does not pass the Geography exam in those places where that is required.. Puerto Rico is not a "territory" like the USVI. It is an "Associated Free State" with its own national flag. Some Puerto Ricans will not be amused about this confusion..

If I owned a commercial tanker or container ship with the home port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, would the ship fly a U.S. flag or a Puerto Rican flag (ensign, not courtesy)? The answer would guide me on whether a Puerto Rican courtesy flag would be necessary for a U.S.-registered boat in PR waters.

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by colemj

The practical reality is that if you flew no courtesy flag at all in PR, nobody would even notice or be concerned if they did notice.

Pedantically correct, yes. Practically correct, no.

Mark

I have asked a few Puerto Ricans and stand by my post. For many cruisers leaving a clean wake is the name of the game, and wake cleanliness is measured in the eye of the locals!

[Astrid]

Originally Posted by svlamorocha

That statament does not pass the Geography exam in those places where that is required.. Puerto Rico is not a "territory" like the USVI. It is an "Associated Free State" with its own national flag. Some Puerto Ricans will not be amused about this confusion..



Sent from my GT-I9300 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

According to Puerto Rico's own website:


Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States....

[svlamorocha]

Originally Posted by Astrid

According to Puerto Rico's own website:


Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States....

Thanks. I am aware of this wording, which can be found in many English-language private sector and US government web sites, but could not find it in the Puerto Rican government´s site that is PR.gov - Portal Oficial del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico.

I would greatly appreciate if you could pass on the page that has that wording within the official PR web site (PR.gov - Portal Oficial del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico). That would let me provoke some thought in my Puerto Rican friends who do not translate "Estado Libre Associado" as "territory".


.. Can you please pass on the page

[Astrid]

Puerto Rico Government

Puerto Rico's political relationship with the U.S. has been a continuing source of debate in Puerto Rico, the United States Congress, and the United Nations. The issue revolves around whether Puerto Rico should remain a U.S. territory, become a U.S. state, or become an independent country. The debate has spawn several referendums, presidential executive orders and bills in the U.S. Congress. Ultimately the U.S. Congress is the only one who can make decisions regarding the political status of Puerto Rico, as stated under the Territorial Clause.

Welcome to Puerto Rico! History, Government, Geography, and Culture.

Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean

I am not a Spanish speaker, so cannot read the official webpage you quote.

[Amapola]

I get ours from nautical thrift stores. They are in new or like new condition for less than $10.