Azores Courtesy Flag - Alarming!

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chinita

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VO5 has posted this on another thread:


"If, for example, you visited the Azores (which belong to Portugal) and you did not fly a courtesy flag (Portugal) and a second (Island flag) you would be liable to a fine. I cannot remember the magnitude of the penalty imposed, but it is hefty.

Sporadically, the harbour authorities there descend upon the marinas and collect all the fines in one go. Then for some time, everybody fearfully conforms.

Then a while later with the departure and arrival of other yachts, the same is repeated"


Does anybody have any idea of what sort of money we are into here should I forget to display the correct flag? I had hoped to visit the Azores this year. Could i claim that I was heading for New York and just got lost - or needed to stop for some milk?
 
Bosun Higgs said:
I was warned that the Portugese authorities take these issues seriously as indeed they do the proof of vat paid. Its their law you are offending
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Sounds more like greed to me!

Anyone who gets offended by the use or misuse of flags should really get out more.

Oops! Am I almost starting another viral thread?:eek:
 
Was there a few years ago heard nothing to that effect flew a portugese flag. Regestration requirements were Passport, Boat registration and insurance although I carried the vat reciept it was not required.
 
Surely if you know about it, as you now do, it's not a problem? (For you, anyway)

If you're feeling really kind, you could carry a couple of spares for fellow yotties who didn't know :). My great-aunt used to carry spare French flags for this reason, many decades ago when apparently the local authorities used to get upset about it.

Pete
 
Incidentally, when I was there on Stavros, we flew a Portuguese flag but not, as far as I remember, a specifically Azorean one. We were pretty noticeable (a 600 ton square-rigger is hard to hide) but nobody paid us a visit :)

Pete
 
I believe there is (or used to be) a “legal” reason for flying a courtesy flag, it is something along the lines of your vessel visiting another country and flying the flag as a courtesy however the ensign shows the country of registration for the vessel and it sails under the laws and rules of that home country. You can therefore not be charged with not complying with another countries laws and rules, for example, what safety equipment is carried onboard.

Hope the above makes sense, I’m sure someone will be along to quote chapter and verse….
 
True or not, how do you fancy your chances of arguing with an armed Portuguese policeman about his right to fine or imprison you? What are the chances of the UK consul bailing you out?

I'd carry an armfull of flags if I was visiting, needed or not, my Portuguese is limited & I wouldn't recommend trying Spanish on them! . . .
 
chinita said:
Really! Were they Guarda or Policia Maritimo? (You can tell the latter as they are usually afloat).
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In our marina the GNR have the bigger boat by far, all the Policia Maritimo have is a tender sized rib. The GNR have a small patrol vessel with a fair turn of speed, and mounts for machine guns although they are not mounted.
 
Arrived in Horta at 0100 hrs 18mths ago and parked on the customs quay; a friendly policeman came up and said go to sleep and we'll see you after breakfast.....
So, later, we cleared customs and asked where we could buy a Portuguese courtesy flag,which we didn't have, and the custom guys then argued amongst themselves as to where the cheapest was to be found!
On enquiring about an Azores flag they said we didn't have to but it would be nice if we did - so we bought both...

Lovely islands, lovely people, excellent food, wine etc - can't wait to go back.

I think that all this talk about fines for non-display of Azores flag is a load of nonsense.
 
The OP is a rumour monger and speaks a load of B******s. You only require the PORTOGESE flag for the AZORES. They are very kind and very gentle people. All they ever want to do is help.

Peter
 
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Spent six weeks in the Azores, visited six islands, flew Portuguese courtesy flag. Azores flag(s) not required.

I have heard rumours of fines for no Portugeuese courtesy flag on the mainland.

- W
 
stephenh said:
Arrived in Horta at 0100 hrs 18mths ago and parked on the customs quay; a friendly policeman came up and said go to sleep and we'll see you after breakfast.....
So, later, we cleared customs and asked where we could buy a Portuguese courtesy flag,which we didn't have, and the custom guys then argued amongst themselves as to where the cheapest was to be found!
On enquiring about an Azores flag they said we didn't have to but it would be nice if we did - so we bought both...

Lovely islands, lovely people, excellent food, wine etc - can't wait to go back.

I think that all this talk about fines for non-display of Azores flag is a load of nonsense.
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That accords with Reeds, which says: "It is acceptable to fly the Azorean flag on the stbd halyard below the Portuguese courtesy ensign.
 
rivonia said:
The OP is a rumour monger and speaks a load of B******s. You only require the PORTOGESE flag for the AZORES. They are very kind and very gentle people. All they ever want to do is help.

Peter
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No it is not Rivonia, otherwise I would not have brought up the subject.

I was told this by a fellow sailor moored in Horta, first.

Then I was told inependently without prompting by another two in Praia de la Victoria.

So I took it as given and propmtly acquired an island flag and hoisted it inferior to the Portuguese flag on my starboard hoist.

Then once hoisted I engaged the harbour pilot in conversation. He confirmed the two flag hoist was correct.

From memory the fine contained "16" in it I cannot remember if it was euros 16, or 160 or 1600.:eek:
 
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