Courtesy flag in UK?

[gfbalduc]

I've found conflicting statements in the literature, concerning courtesy flags for Countries where the national flag is different from the maritime ensign.
Cases in point are UK, Italy, Spain, USA (I think), etc.

Should the courtesy flag be a miniature version of:
a) the visited Country's national flag, OR
b) the visited Country's maritime flag?

In other words, if I visit UK waters (or Gibraltar, for that matter), would you Britons expect me to fly a Red Ensign or the Union Jack?

I would favour the maritime flag, but the only courtesy-sized UK flag I have been able to find in Spanish chandleries, before going to Gibraltar, was the Union Jack.

 

[A_7]

Red Ensign.

 

[PCUK]

The only vessels to fly the Union Flag are the Royal yacht and the Royal Navy where it is flown from the jackstaff.
The correct courtesy flag for UK waters is the red ensign.
I'm sure no-one will mind if you pick one up at your first UK port of call.

 

[absit_omen]

Gian, if you pop into Lagos, Portugal on your way I'll give you the correct ensign!

 

[Magic]

[ QUOTE ]
Gian, if you pop into Lagos, Portugal on your way I'll give you the correct ensign!

[/ QUOTE ]

Cap Tipped!

Nice to see the spirit is alive. Not sure on the practicality for the requester, but nice to see offers of assistance.

 

[miranda_d_m]

Pershilla is correct, yachts visiting British waters should not be flying Union flags, but small versions of the maritime ensign.

The answer to your question about maritime versus national flags is:

Where a country has a maritime ensign then you use a smaller version of the maritime ensign as a courtesy flag, if a country only has a national flag then you use a small version of the national flag.

 

[gfbalduc]

[ QUOTE ]
Gian, if you pop into Lagos, Portugal on your way I'll give you the correct ensign!

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the offer, but I was there a couple of months ago, going the other way; now boat is in the Med to complete gearing up before leaving for good.....

Anyway, my point was mainly on the conflicting understanding of the rule, if even shipchandlers (and some books) do not have it right.

 

[Dyflin]

[ QUOTE ]
In other words, if I visit UK waters (or Gibraltar, for that matter), would you Britons expect me to fly a Red Ensign or the Union Jack?

[/ QUOTE ]

Gian, we're all EU citizens now, just fly this flag...

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[Clive_Rigden]

Quite right. It's the only one we need and should ever use.