Correct Spanish Host Country Flag

[multihullsailor6]

Can anybody please assist me in establishing what is the correct flag to fly as the host country flag when in Spain?

Is it the Spanish national flag or is it the Spanish maritime flag with the crown?

 

[ccscott49]

The correct one is the one with the crown, but nobody will say anything if you have either, not even the Guardia.

 

[Sandyman]

Not sailed those waters for so many years I cannot remember, but Reeds states:

It is customary when abroad to fly a small maritime ensign of the Country concerned
at the Stbd spreader.

 

[multihullsailor6]

Thanks to both of you, that was my initial understanding but as a marineiro in La Coruna mentioned to me that only Spanish boats fly the flag with the crown I started to wonder.

 

[westernman]

For what its worth, on the Costa Brava, I have only ever seen the flag without the crown on the starboard spreader of French boats.

Spanish boats all seem to fly the ensign with the crown at the stern.

 

[Plomong]

I've not yet seen one with the crown, on any boat other than official ones, and I've lived here for over 30 years now !!!! So, get the one that all the shops and chandleries stock -- the one without the crown -- and stop worrying about it. Flag problems over here are of a different nature, and more charged with political content on a local level. This should not, and doesn't, affect foreigners in any way.

Plomong

 

[chinita]

The correct one is the one with the crown, but nobody will say anything if you have either, not even the Guardia.

Sorry mate but I have to say that is not the information I was given when in Spain. I have always understood that it is the one without the Crown. I also found that these were more difficult to source.

Same in Portugal, the correct courtesy flag is red and green without any embellishment.

I have nothing in writing, just what I have been told by local yachtsmen.

I agree that nobody really seems to care.

As an aside, there was a British owned, Portuguese registered (for charter) Sunseeker here last year. Over a million quids worth. Flying a tiny, threadbare, tatty, polyester Portuguese flag.

Call me sad, but I thought that utterly disrespectful.

 

[KellysEye]

It is the one with the crown, although most boats fly the other one. The Spanish flag I like has a black bull on it, but best not fly that.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

In 6 seasons in Spain, I only ever flew the one with the crown (its prettier) and never got any comments one way or another. I suppose, in theory, the odd person in the Catalan or Basque regions might be slightly affronted because, in those regions, they're not fond of the monarchy or rule from Madrid in general but its certainly nothing to lose any sleep over

 

[Reasons2BCheerful]

Spanish courtesy flag

Reading this (Concise and even clarifies why a US boat may fly the 'Union Jack') http://www.waypoints.com/popups/flagetiquette.html the correct courtesy flag is the Civil Ensign of the country you are visiting (if it has one).

This site http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/es_var.html#var points out that the version with the Coat of Arms (not just the Crown) is the 'Civil, State and War Flag and Civil and War Ensign' and is favoured for official State and Naval use while the simple bi-colour is the 'Civil Flag and Ensign variant with no coat-of-arms' which is used in less official capacities. The versions with the crown (there are several versions) only is usually a yachting organisation burgee, the crown denoting 'Real' (Royal)

As other have commented, the Spanish laws are not completely clear on the use. So it would appears that either version is acceptable as a courtesy flag, because both versions are acceptable as a Civil Ensigh. The 'Veterano' (bull) version is pretty cool - but that is a 'supporters flag' with no official status, they say.

 

[chinita]

Not that I am too bothered but this lot

http://www.the-flag-loft.co.uk/Courtesy.htm

seem to agree with what I have said.

 

[Plomong]

Reading this (Concise and even clarifies why a US boat may fly the 'Union Jack') http://www.waypoints.com/popups/flagetiquette.html the correct courtesy flag is the Civil Ensign of the country you are visiting (if it has one).

This site http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/es_var.html#var points out that the version with the Coat of Arms (not just the Crown) is the 'Civil, State and War Flag and Civil and War Ensign' and is favoured for official State and Naval use while the simple bi-colour is the 'Civil Flag and Ensign variant with no coat-of-arms' which is used in less official capacities. The versions with the crown (there are several versions) only is usually a yachting organisation burgee, the crown denoting 'Real' (Royal)

As other have commented, the Spanish laws are not completely clear on the use. So it would appears that either version is acceptable as a courtesy flag, because both versions are acceptable as a Civil Ensigh. The 'Veterano' (bull) version is pretty cool - but that is a 'supporters flag' with no official status, they say.

What you say is my understanding as well, but I could be wrong !!!!

Plomong

 

[Reasons2BCheerful]

Democracy!

@Plomong - in a democracy, the will of the majority prevails (at least, in theory)...so we are looking good!

Seriously, I did research this because I hope to be in Spanish waters sooner rather than later, and while there is a lot of waffle out there, these sources seem to be both well-informed and without axes to grind.

Best to all entering Spanish ports

 

[duncan99210]

We used the bi-cloured flag when in Spanish waters, flown above the local falg in Catalonia and the Balearics. The locals seem to appreciate the additional courtesy and it costs little to buy on locally. FWIW, just about everyone we saw flew the bi-cloured flag; the few 'crowned' flags we saw were all flown by Spaniards.

 

[paracelso]

Directly from Spain:

Spanish "crowned" flag is mandatory for Spanish merchant or recreational/leisure vessels (As for British is the Red Ensign). And Guardia Civil is strongly supervising and, very often, giving nice fines to infractors (only Spanish).

The Spanish "coat of arms" flag is retricted for Navy vessels.

The courtesy flag is the simple Red/Yellow flag withouth any simbol (easy to find in chandlers).

You can flow any other flag (the bull, locals, your soccer club, even pirate) but as an ornament, and only if previously you flown the courtesy flag.

I hope this helps.