Maritime signal flags...

The posts in this thread have been split from another discussion​

In fairness, we fly both the "Q" and Courtesy Flag until we are cleared in, although we fly the Q on port spreader.

Not to hijack the thread, but the USPS says:
The customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another. Try to learn the correct procedure for the country you are entering. For example, is some countries it is customary to fly the courtesy flag only after the quarantine flag (the yellow 'Q' flag) and the vessel has been granted pratique by the appropriate authorities.
And Noonsite says:
https://www.noonsite.com/report/a-g...l,a country through an official Port of Entry

I guess it's open to interpretation, but they have two different purposes... The courtesy flag is flown as a courtesy to show respect for the country you are visiting. The Q flag denotes "My vessel is healthy and free of disease. I require free pratique"

Thanks Admin, for creating a separate thread on this, and there is another small thread on this topic at https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/yacht-clubs-marinas-and-flag-etiquette.9066/

I am a traditionalist when it comes to flags, and try to teach all my junior crew how it was once (the proper way) followed in yachting.

There is a hierarchy when it comes to flags, their rank of importance, and when/where they should be flown.

A National Ensign is always the primary flag. It should be flown at the peak of the gaff for boats rigged with one, or from the staff on the stern if not gaff rigged. This flag should be flown from 0800 until sunset. (in extreme latitudes, where the sun doesn't really set I have my own rule that we lower the ensign at 2200).

Your Yacht Club Burgee should be flown from the bow staff on a power boat (jack staff), and is generally also raised and lowered with the Ensign. I always instruct my crew that the Ensign should be raised ahead of the burgee and lowered after the burgee (unless they are raised/lowered in unison). On a US flagged vessel, the burgee is replaced by the US Jack on Sunday. The jack is made up of the blue field of 50 stars, found on the top corner of the United States flag. This jack should only be flown on Sunday, and only while moored or at anchor. Not when underway. Naval vessels fly it every day. On a sailing vessel, this should be flown from the highest point on the mast using a "pig stick" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_stick

Owners Flag- this is a uniquely-designed flag representing the owner. It should only be flow when the owner is aboard, and should be flown from the highest centerline point. I believe on a sailboat, flying the Yacht Club Burgee, the owners flag should be flown from the aftermost mast, again on a pig stick. When the owner is absent, this flag was traditionally replaced by a solid blue flag representing "owner absent". We still fly this flag on BERILDA, and I get a kick out of it when long deckies on other boats notice and ask what it's for.

There are many other flags that will be flown, such as:
"Q"- representing a request for Free Pratique
"G"- Requesting a Pilot
"H"- Pilot Aboard
"A"- Diver Below
"B"- Transferring Dangerous Cargo (bunkering)
"Courtesy Flag"
"Guests Aboard"- This is a 1/2-White and 1/2-Blue flag, with the fields separated on the diagonal

The order of hierarchy is Starboard to Port and Forward to Aft. You can fly any number and combination of these flags, designating which is more important by their position to starboard and forward.

As an example- we are currently anchored at Petite St Vincent (St Vincent and Grenadines Nation). But are preparing to move 500 meters to anchor in the waters of Petite Martinique (Nation of Grenada). I fly both flags so that it's clear I know which country I am in, and to which country I am requesting free pratique.