Courtesy flags cruising the Greek-Turkish border

[sailoppopotamus]

I've searched around for an authoritative answer to my question and have found conflicting information so I decided to appeal to the forum for its wisdom on this matter.

I'm sailing the Eastern Dodecanese in a Greek-flagged vessel. It's quite a common scenario to want to cross into Turkish waters for a bit while traveling between Greek islands (e.g. to reduce the number of tacks/gybes, or to avoid the worst of the waves).

I understand that under innocent passage rules there is no problem doing so, provided the correct flags are flown from the port spreader. But is the Q flag, or the Turkish flag the correct one, if I have no intention of arriving in Turkey and clearing customs?

I have been raising a Turkish flag when entering Turkish waters and lowering it when back in home waters and haven't had a problem so far, even when passing close to coastguard vessels. Am I doing it correctly?

 

[MontyMariner]

the correct flags are flown from the port spreader. But is the Q flag, or the Turkish flag the correct one

Courtesy flags are flown from the Starboard spreader, Q flag Port.
Personally I wouldn't bother flying either if just tacking across boarder.

 

[Irish Rover]

I'm in Türkiye on a transit log. My boat is UK part 1 reg. I fly a small union jack (yeah I know) on the hard top and a Turkish flag plus an Irish flag on on the hard top support stanchions. I've been inspected a few times by the Turkish Coast Guard with never a mention of flags. I regularly cross Greek sea areas en route along the Turkish coast and I never change the flags. I'm regularly eye balled by Greek or Frontex patrols but never stopped. My AIS is always on.

 

[mjcoon]

Nearest I ever got to this topic was years ago on flotilla tacking past Kos. I found that my mobile phone had accumulated a succession of texts saying "Welcome to Turkey"... "Welcome to Greece"..., ..., ...

 

[dgadee]

Both countries seem very sensitive! I just ran up and down the relevant one. I have seen Midnight Express.

 

[Irish Rover]

Both countries seem very sensitive! I just ran up and down the relevant one. I have seen Midnight Express.

That was a long run. Flegs are an emotive issue, mo chara.

 

[dgadee]

That was a long run. Flegs are an emotive issue, mo chara.

Flegs certainly are. But why do Unionists keep them flying up the lampposts until they are in tatters?

 

[Irish Rover]

Flegs certainly are. But why do Unionists keep them flying up the lampposts until they are in tatters?

Unless that's a why did the chicken cross the road type of question you might be at risk of being sent to the Mods version of Sağmalcilar