Courtesy Ensigns in Caribbean

[lowenna]

Looking at the Caribbean flags on the CIA Factbook website, I see that some islands have two flags. Martinique, for instance, has a flag with four snakes but it says "the flag of France is used for official occasions". The question then is which flag do you use as a courtesy ensign?

The other query is if I, as a British registered boat, visit a British colony island, do I use a courtesy ensign at all? Wouldn't it just be like visiting the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man?

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[steve_cronin]

Since Courtesy Ensigns are just that, a courtesy, do what many visitors to the Channel Islands do, wear the local flag on each island.

Steve Cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Keith]

some islands won't clear you in unless you are wearing the correct courtesy flag........keith

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[steve_cronin]

Typical!

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[snowleopard]

on the french islands the situation is the same as in brittany - you can't be faulted if you fly the french flag. use of the local island's flag alone is technically incorrect but who would dare complain. the ideal is to fly the french above the local.

on british colonies where the defaced red ensign is the official flag you need not fly it but no harm if you do, (montserrat, anguilla)

on the independant islands - st lucia, dominica etc. you'd better fly their flag or you could be in deeeep dodo.

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[RPC]

"....the flying of the ensign of one country below that of another country on the same ensign staff is a sign that the ship has been captured by forces of that other country"

Also remember flags above another show superiority....

If flying 2 courtesy flags, one of the 'mother' country and the other the host country then do not fly one above the other, safer to fly them on opposite yards.

see flags on the cruising site www.onpassage.com

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[AndrewB]

Yes, confirm, Barbados, St Vincent, St Lucia, Dominica get touchy if you don't fly their courtesy ensign. Elsewhere not so bothered. French flag is acceptable in Martinique and Guadaloupe. I flew a red ensign in BVI and Turks & Caicos, which seemed a bit odd with a red ensign on the back, but had no adverse comment.

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[Sunnyseeker]

The british islands are independant, and some customs people do like their island flags, a boat in Antigua last year was asked politely why he didn't have th flag.
Take a set of paints and some white cloth, then you can keep them as souveniers.
We can still tell where we had storms as the courtesy flags are a bit weather beaten.

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[SimonJ]

It is basically good manners and courtesy to your host. They make good souvenirs later and v impressive to hoist as you return home.
Most are easy to make but take a look at Dominica - parrots, stars etc!
We found a chandlery in Teneriffe that had a wide stock (until others discovered too!) at a very fair price. Check though that the flag you buy is still the current design!
Good sailing. See you there.
Simon

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[snowleopard]

jimmy green has a pretty comprehensive stock for the windward & leewards

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[sundance]

With regard to Martinique, you must fly the French tricolour as your courtesy flag.
Martinique is an integral part of France (it is not a colony, protectorate or suchlike). It is a "department" of France just like any other part of France. (Incidentally. as such, it is also part of the EU).

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