International Flag Etiquette: Law & Tradition

International Flag Etiquette: Why?

International flag etiquette is based upon a combination of law and strong maritime tradition. International flag etiquette and flag rules are seen by many as an inherent practice of seafaring. Those that do not comply may cause undue insult whether at home or abroad. This may even lead to being given a fine if you break maritime laws. The correct flag in the proper position will send a clear message or signal to other water users.

Seafarers will find that most countries use their national flag at sea. There is no legal requirement to fly a courtesy flag; however, it shows respect and concedes that the vessel will respect the laws of that country. However, if one is not flown or it is in poor condition, it may cause serious offence and in some countries can lead to a fine.

International Flag Etiquette: What and Where?

Ensign

The Ensign takes the most senior position on a vessel which is as close to the stern of the vessel as possible. This flag indicates the vessels nationality and country of registry.

In the UK, a flagged vessel must wear her Ensign as required by the Merchant Shipping Act. Wearing anything other than an authorised Ensign is a violation of British and International Law.

The vessel should wear the national maritime flag, the Red Ensign, unless entitled to wear a special Ensign (more about this below).

The Ensign takes the senior position on a vessel with the positions for other flags as follows: 2) masthead, 3) starboard spreader, and 4) port spreader.

Burgee

Maritime tradition calls for the burgee to be flown at the main masthead and that only one burgee is flown at a time. However, more recently some yachts are seen flying more than one. This may cause offence although there is nothing illegal about doing so. A burgee must match a special Ensign if one is worn and it should always be higher than the Ensign.

House Flags

A house flag is generally a small rectangular version of a burgee that is worn on the port spreader. It is used to show membership of a society, club, or an association such as the RYA. You may fly more than one house flag on the port halyard, but too many may be deemed vulgar.

Courtesy Flag & Q Flag

The starboard spreaders are used for signalling meaning that the courtesy flag and the Q flag should be flown from here. The RYA states:

“These days it is becoming increasingly common for yachts to fly a burgee from the starboard spreaders because of instrumentation sited at the main masthead. Legally there is nothing wrong with doing so but this practice presents a number of problems for those who wish to adhere to the traditions of flag etiquette.

More than one flag may be flown on a halyard except that flag etiquette states that no flag can be above the burgee on the same halyard and no flag can be worn above the courtesy flag. If you fly a burgee at the starboard spreaders and are sailing in the territorial waters of another country this presents something of a dilemma, particularly if you must fly a burgee to match a special Ensign. Unless the burgee is in its traditional position at the masthead, you risk flouting one or another element of flag etiquette. How you choose to resolve this is a matter of choice.”

International Flag Etiquette: What Size?

Flag size and condition is important too. The flag needs to be large enough to be seen, but should never hang in the water or be in poor condition. The Royal Yachting Association gives the following advice on sizing:

Ensign

The general guideline for the size of Ensign used to be an inch per foot of yacht, but on many modern yachts this is found to be a little on the small side for the vessel to look “well dressed”. Roughly speaking a 3/4 yard Ensign should look right on a boat of 21-26 ft, 1 yard for 27- 34 ft, 1 1/4 yard for 35 – 42 ft, 1 1/2 yard for 43 – 50 ft and 1 3/4 yard for 51 – 60 ft, but some discretion may need to be applied.

Burgee

A burgee of 15″ in the fly (the horizontal measurement) should look appropriate on vessels up to 34ft. This increases to 18″ for up to 42ft, 24″ for up to 50ft and 30″ up to 60 ft.

Courtesy Flag

Having an undersized, faded or tatty courtesy flag in many places is worse than having no courtesy flag. Again as a guide only, 12″ in the fly should look appropriate for 21-26 ft, 15″ for 27- 34 ft, 18″ for 35 – 42 ft, 22″ for 43 – 50 ft and 30″ for 51 – 60 ft. Availability may however end up dictating the size of the flag.

House flags

A house flag of a similar size to those listed for the courtesy flag will generally be appropriate.

International Flag Etiquette: Special Ensigns

Special Ensigns may only be worn with permission which is granted via a warrant from the Queen. They include a White Ensign, Blue Ensign, Red Ensigns with a badge, Blue Ensigns with a badge, and a light Blue Ensign with a badge. The Ensign must be worn in accordance with the warrant, which normally requires the corresponding burgee to be displayed.

Captain Mark Miles and Lynn Griffiths are owner-operators of the beautiful crewed charter yacht Pacific Wave, a Georgetti & Magrini 72. Pacific Wave was granted a warrant to wear a White Ensign. Mark said of the privilege:

“It’s worth remembering where the ensign system comes from. There were three squadrons in the Navy, the red, white, and blue. As the Navy reduced in size and commercial vessels increased it was decided that the Navy alone should keep the white ensign as it was the senior squadron. During the Crimean war members of the RYS sailed their own yachts to the Crimea with supplies. As a reward for helping the Navy the RYS was given the honour of being the only non Naval vessels allowed to fly the white. It is a privilege that is still in force.

On Pacific Wave we were excited to fly the White Ensign (with the masthead burgee which is a precondition of flying the white) and be a part of something that has such historical and worthy precedents.”

International Flag Etiquette: RYA Resources

RYA Members have access to the RYA flag etiquette book which has been re-written and is published here. If you are not already a member then click on the above link to register. The RYA shop has a number of handy reference books and flip cards to refresh your memory with. Check these out: