We are having a spirited discussion re the correct flag protocol when visiting a foreign country. Should the courtesy flag of the country you are visiting be flown as soon as you enter their teritorial waters or only after clearing customs? I've talked with U.S.Customs and either they didn't know or didn't care (or both).
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I Googled It...
...and this is what I found under one link (http://www.whsyc.org/Headline/Articles/all_about_flags.htm) . Please note the section that refers to raising the Courtesy" flag AFTER the QUARANTINE flag is lowered. It does make sense. The text is as follows: Flying a ‘Courtesy Flag’- Honoring Other National Flags When you operate a boat in a foreign nation, it is important and proper to fly the flag on your boat of the nation you are visiting. You should fly this foreign ensign when you enter and while you operate on its waters. This simple act of respect for the nation you are visiting will gain you much appreciation. Too many US yachtsmen ignore this custom, either out of ignorance or disregard. While cruising to Alaska, we raised the Canadian flag on our starboard spreader after clearing Canadian Customs in Bedwell Harbor. Our slip neighbors, a Canadian couple, were literally choked with pride in their nation to see us take the time to raise their flag in salute to our host nation. Instantly we made a friend, were offered their hospitality and have pictures (they took) to boot. Courtesy flags (small flags of other nations) are available from most marine supply stores and should be purchased before you leave on a trip. Hoist the courtesy flag when the clearance proceedings have been completed and the yellow "Q" flag has been removed. Here are some general guidelines to follow regarding courtesy flags: - On a sailboat, the courtesy flag is flown at the boat's starboard spreader, while the United States ensign stays at the stern. - On a mastless powerboat, the courtesy flag of another nation replaces any flag that is normally flown at the bow of the boat. Although these points serve as protocol in most waters, keep in mind that customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another; in case of doubt, inquire locally or observe other craft from your country. As a reminder, U.S. vessels while in international or foreign waters must fly the U.S. ensign (50-star flag) rather than yacht ensign. When the starboard spreader is used for the "courtesy flag" of the foreign country, the club burgee, or similar flag may be flown from the port spreader. If the vessel has multiple flag halyards on the starboard spreader, the club burgee is flown there, inboard from the courtesy flag. Don't fly a foreign courtesy ensign after you have returned to U.S. waters.
...and this is what I found under one link (http://www.whsyc.org/Headline/Articles/all_about_flags.htm) . Please note the section that refers to raising the Courtesy" flag AFTER the QUARANTINE flag is lowered. It does make sense. The text is as follows: Flying a ‘Courtesy Flag’- Honoring Other National Flags When you operate a boat in a foreign nation, it is important and proper to fly the flag on your boat of the nation you are visiting. You should fly this foreign ensign when you enter and while you operate on its waters. This simple act of respect for the nation you are visiting will gain you much appreciation. Too many US yachtsmen ignore this custom, either out of ignorance or disregard. While cruising to Alaska, we raised the Canadian flag on our starboard spreader after clearing Canadian Customs in Bedwell Harbor. Our slip neighbors, a Canadian couple, were literally choked with pride in their nation to see us take the time to raise their flag in salute to our host nation. Instantly we made a friend, were offered their hospitality and have pictures (they took) to boot. Courtesy flags (small flags of other nations) are available from most marine supply stores and should be purchased before you leave on a trip. Hoist the courtesy flag when the clearance proceedings have been completed and the yellow "Q" flag has been removed. Here are some general guidelines to follow regarding courtesy flags: - On a sailboat, the courtesy flag is flown at the boat's starboard spreader, while the United States ensign stays at the stern. - On a mastless powerboat, the courtesy flag of another nation replaces any flag that is normally flown at the bow of the boat. Although these points serve as protocol in most waters, keep in mind that customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another; in case of doubt, inquire locally or observe other craft from your country. As a reminder, U.S. vessels while in international or foreign waters must fly the U.S. ensign (50-star flag) rather than yacht ensign. When the starboard spreader is used for the "courtesy flag" of the foreign country, the club burgee, or similar flag may be flown from the port spreader. If the vessel has multiple flag halyards on the starboard spreader, the club burgee is flown there, inboard from the courtesy flag. Don't fly a foreign courtesy ensign after you have returned to U.S. waters.
Way to go Paul! That is totally correct.
I do wish the rest of the boating communitee was aware of this. As you say - many are either not aware, or just don't care.
I do wish the rest of the boating communitee was aware of this. As you say - many are either not aware, or just don't care.
Starboard spreader
This is what I thought about my sailing flags. On the stern only the country flag where the boat is registered should fly. On the Starboard side fly the quarantine Flag (Yellow) then fly country in which you are visiting (after the quarentine Flag is cleared). If at home port, your country flag is top flag, then state, then your call flags. On the port side you can fly the country flags of your guest that are aboard. On the bow is a yacht club penant. No flag should ride the sail haylards. Traditional flags are mariners flag. I also have a coast guard aux flag. Some one sorrect me and enlighten us if there is more to it.
This is what I thought about my sailing flags. On the stern only the country flag where the boat is registered should fly. On the Starboard side fly the quarantine Flag (Yellow) then fly country in which you are visiting (after the quarentine Flag is cleared). If at home port, your country flag is top flag, then state, then your call flags. On the port side you can fly the country flags of your guest that are aboard. On the bow is a yacht club penant. No flag should ride the sail haylards. Traditional flags are mariners flag. I also have a coast guard aux flag. Some one sorrect me and enlighten us if there is more to it.
Mast Head
All sounds good except to be totally correct on a sailboat the yacht club burgee should be flown ffrom the masthead on a jack stay.
All sounds good except to be totally correct on a sailboat the yacht club burgee should be flown ffrom the masthead on a jack stay.
well said
There is much to say regarding flag etiquette, and it certainly brings pride to the owner, the country or the guest when used properly. A few years ago a friend (older than me) asked if I could tend to his sailboat while he would be entertaining friends from Europe. I knew his friends were long time sailors, I got a courtesy flag of their country before the evening. They had dinner at the Yatch Club, a mate and I kept the boat at the ready. Seeing them walking down the dock I fired up the spreader lights and as my friend (unaware) invited his guess on board I signed my mate to raise the guess flag on port spreader with the classic wistle call, he and his wife stopped and thanked my friend for the attention. He looked at me and I smiled; I think I saw a tear in his eye. I was 30something he was retired. The rest of the evening was uneventful we sailed to Niagara on the lake and arrived way past midnight, just in time for a nitecap. Thrue story. Chapman had a small book with a plastified cover on Boat Flag etiquette a few years back, put one in your boat. a.
There is much to say regarding flag etiquette, and it certainly brings pride to the owner, the country or the guest when used properly. A few years ago a friend (older than me) asked if I could tend to his sailboat while he would be entertaining friends from Europe. I knew his friends were long time sailors, I got a courtesy flag of their country before the evening. They had dinner at the Yatch Club, a mate and I kept the boat at the ready. Seeing them walking down the dock I fired up the spreader lights and as my friend (unaware) invited his guess on board I signed my mate to raise the guess flag on port spreader with the classic wistle call, he and his wife stopped and thanked my friend for the attention. He looked at me and I smiled; I think I saw a tear in his eye. I was 30something he was retired. The rest of the evening was uneventful we sailed to Niagara on the lake and arrived way past midnight, just in time for a nitecap. Thrue story. Chapman had a small book with a plastified cover on Boat Flag etiquette a few years back, put one in your boat. a.
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