Flag Halyard

[newly anonymous]

by way of anecdote...

...back in my scuba instructor days I trailered a 20-foot Hurricaine--a rigid inflatable with a 120 hp. outboard--down to the Sea of Cortez, where I launched it off the beach in Bahia de Los Angeles. A few days later I ran into town to see whether fuel was available. I was greeted there by the Capitan del Puerto, who expressed concern that I was not flying a Mexican courtesy flag from my mast. I apologized profusely, explaining that the boat did not have a mast, whereupon the capitan kindly offered to sell me a flag so that I would not have to pay the fine. It cost roughly double what it would have cost had I bought it back home at West Marine, and I quickly strapped a boat hook to the starboard side of the steering console, affixing my new courtesy flag to my new mast with nylon cable ties. Lesson learned.

 

[newly anonymous]

by way of anecdote...

...back in my scuba instructor days I trailered a 20-foot Hurricaine--a rigid inflatable with a 120 hp. outboard--down to the Sea of Cortez, where I launched it off the beach in Bahia de Los Angeles. A few days later I ran into town to see whether fuel was available. I was greeted there by the Capitan del Puerto, who expressed concern that I was not flying a Mexican courtesy flag from my mast. I apologized profusely, explaining that the boat did not have a mast, whereupon the capitan kindly offered to sell me a flag so that I would not have to pay the fine. It cost roughly double what it would have cost had I bought it back home at West Marine, and I quickly strapped a boat hook to the starboard side of the steering console, affixing my new courtesy flag to my new mast with nylon cable ties. Lesson learned.

 

[newly anonymous]

one other matter of flag etiquette

something to know before you cruise international waters:The US Yacht Ensign, in which the field contains a fouled anchor encircled by thirteen stars, is properly flown by documented yachts in US waters. It is not, however, properly flown in foreign waters, at which point the only ensign that suffices is the standard 50-star "Old Glory."

 

[newly anonymous]

one other matter of flag etiquette

something to know before you cruise international waters:The US Yacht Ensign, in which the field contains a fouled anchor encircled by thirteen stars, is properly flown by documented yachts in US waters. It is not, however, properly flown in foreign waters, at which point the only ensign that suffices is the standard 50-star "Old Glory."

 

[Fred Ficarra]

John, our Mexican courtesy flag was bigger than our

U.S. flag. We'd heard those stories too. And one official actually told us that it was a good thing we had it or he would fine us. Mexico is so driven by the old Monarch 'reward system' that MEXICANS even have to go through their OWN Customs to ferry between ports like La Paz and Mazatlan. Power for the puppets.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

John, our Mexican courtesy flag was bigger than our

U.S. flag. We'd heard those stories too. And one official actually told us that it was a good thing we had it or he would fine us. Mexico is so driven by the old Monarch 'reward system' that MEXICANS even have to go through their OWN Customs to ferry between ports like La Paz and Mazatlan. Power for the puppets.

 

[Rick D]

Quarantine Flag

I remember the first time I came back from Mexico to the US. We were contacted by radio from a US coast guard cutter who asked where we had been and where we were going and the number of crew and their origins. Anyhow, I replied and mentioned I was flying a quarantine flag. They were very concerned that there was something wrong. I replied I thought that was what a captain was supposed to do until the vessel had cleared. He laughed and said that I was the first one he had ever seen fly one anywhere in the US! I still have it but it hasn't had any use since. Rick D.

 

[Rick D]

Quarantine Flag

I remember the first time I came back from Mexico to the US. We were contacted by radio from a US coast guard cutter who asked where we had been and where we were going and the number of crew and their origins. Anyhow, I replied and mentioned I was flying a quarantine flag. They were very concerned that there was something wrong. I replied I thought that was what a captain was supposed to do until the vessel had cleared. He laughed and said that I was the first one he had ever seen fly one anywhere in the US! I still have it but it hasn't had any use since. Rick D.

 

[Thames Las]

Flag etiquette

Flag signal halyards should be standard on every boat, and are especially helpful on Sail boats when mounted on the spreaders, not only for flags but as mentioned Radar reflectors and among other things a bucket, when hoisted on one tidal river in England as a signal that you wanted a bridge raised so that you could pass through.As for etiquette, the National flag of the country of registry should be flown on the aft most part of a boat. The starboard halyard for the courtesy flag when visiting another country, (very helpful to create a good impression on foreign officials, it may also aviod being fined). The club burgee should be flown from the top of the main mast, and only the club burgee there. The port halyard for the house or association flag. No apologies for sticking to my English (and international)standards and customs, but you will know what I am and my intentions from these flags. I also follow the international practice of flying a motoring cone, or an anchor ball leaving the VHF airways a little less used.Now sailing Georgian Bay and the North Channel in a Canadian registered boat, (I live in Canada) although still only an English citizen, the national flag I fly is the Maple Leaf. Another point is that proper flag etiquette ensures that you do not unintentionally insult someone if the flags you fly are some form of local obscenity, or religious derogatory comment.Thames Lad

 

[Thames Las]

Flag etiquette

Flag signal halyards should be standard on every boat, and are especially helpful on Sail boats when mounted on the spreaders, not only for flags but as mentioned Radar reflectors and among other things a bucket, when hoisted on one tidal river in England as a signal that you wanted a bridge raised so that you could pass through.As for etiquette, the National flag of the country of registry should be flown on the aft most part of a boat. The starboard halyard for the courtesy flag when visiting another country, (very helpful to create a good impression on foreign officials, it may also aviod being fined). The club burgee should be flown from the top of the main mast, and only the club burgee there. The port halyard for the house or association flag. No apologies for sticking to my English (and international)standards and customs, but you will know what I am and my intentions from these flags. I also follow the international practice of flying a motoring cone, or an anchor ball leaving the VHF airways a little less used.Now sailing Georgian Bay and the North Channel in a Canadian registered boat, (I live in Canada) although still only an English citizen, the national flag I fly is the Maple Leaf. Another point is that proper flag etiquette ensures that you do not unintentionally insult someone if the flags you fly are some form of local obscenity, or religious derogatory comment.Thames Lad

 

[Stillraining]

WOW !!

Thanks Les!!I am going to print that out,Thanks fo the History lesson

 

[Stillraining]

WOW !!

Thanks Les!!I am going to print that out,Thanks fo the History lesson

 

[higgs]

Not covered in Chapm,ans

Very few of us fly our club burgee from a pig stick at the mast head. For one thing, we have the masthead cluttered up with instruments so room gets tight. Most of use the starboard spreader halyard for the burgee, even though it is not by Chapman. Chapman does not cover - at least in my 05 edition - what to do with the courtesy flag - above or below the burgee. It is my opinion, that when visiting a foreign country, placing thier flag above my club burgee is a show of respect. I have, however, run into others who have done the opposite, expressing the opinion that that is proper etiquette. Opinions?

 

[higgs]

Not covered in Chapm,ans

Very few of us fly our club burgee from a pig stick at the mast head. For one thing, we have the masthead cluttered up with instruments so room gets tight. Most of use the starboard spreader halyard for the burgee, even though it is not by Chapman. Chapman does not cover - at least in my 05 edition - what to do with the courtesy flag - above or below the burgee. It is my opinion, that when visiting a foreign country, placing thier flag above my club burgee is a show of respect. I have, however, run into others who have done the opposite, expressing the opinion that that is proper etiquette. Opinions?

 

[Paul Brinkley]

National flags on top...

Traditionally, in the US, no flag is higher than the US flag if on the same pole. Out of respect for a host country, I would certainly think it best to put their national flag on top of a club or other organizational flag. I can see where some countries would be insulted if the flag which represents their country was subordinated to a club flag.

 

[Paul Brinkley]

National flags on top...

Traditionally, in the US, no flag is higher than the US flag if on the same pole. Out of respect for a host country, I would certainly think it best to put their national flag on top of a club or other organizational flag. I can see where some countries would be insulted if the flag which represents their country was subordinated to a club flag.

 

[sand sailor]

when my boat is worthy of the honor

i will post the flag given to me by the U S NAVY on behalf of my grandfather from the stern with great pride when sailing in any waters

 

[sand sailor]

when my boat is worthy of the honor

i will post the flag given to me by the U S NAVY on behalf of my grandfather from the stern with great pride when sailing in any waters