Courtesy flags - where do you have to wear one?

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GTom

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The name says courtesy but some countries make wearing one compulsory. I couldn't find a list, which countries are picky and which aren't. Any ideas?
 
In my experience it depends more on the attitude of the people who notice that you are not flying the appropriate courtesy flag. The various authorities with the power to stop and ask for papers and check over your vessel may be more inclined to do so without the flag. I have had a sniffer dog on board in Heraklion on a delivery essentially because we didnt have a Greek flag.
 
GTom said:
The name says courtesy but some countries make wearing one compulsory. I couldn't find a list, which countries are picky and which aren't. Any ideas?
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I seem to remember they are not compulsory in any country, but as above I would not think of visiting a foreign country without flying one. It shows respect and as it says on the tin it is a courtesy. Failing to fly one may mean you upset officials before you start and that is never a good thing
 
A lovely tradition that acknowledges the hospitality of the country you are visiting. Failure to do so invites a visit from the heavily armed men in black and the twang of marigolds.
 
Or vice versa? I'd expect a Scottish boat rather than an English boat in truth to do that, not necessarily out of respect but as a means of making a point perhaps? It appeals to me actually! (y)
 
Thanks for all(y), I only visited countries around the Irish sea, no one seemed to bother. Hopping over to France or Norway sounds like another story then.
 
GTom said:
The name says courtesy but some countries make wearing one compulsory. I couldn't find a list, which countries are picky and which aren't. Any ideas?
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Are you asking where you might get away with discourtesy? Much easier just to fly the flag and rest easy.
That said, I did once have to persuade a skipper that the port we were approaching [Borkum] was in Germany and not Netherlands, and that we had the wrong flag up. That may have caused a bit of offence.
 
Halo said:
Has anyone seen a Scottish or Welsh boat fly a flag of St George when visiting England
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Reeds flag etiquette states vessels visiting the uk have to fly the red ensign, not the union jack.
You also can't fly a st George, Welsh or Scottish flag from your vessel as that is reserved for admirals. Doing so can lead to arrest, confiscation of the vessel and a large fine.
Luckily our rules are not policed.
 
Rappey said:
You also can't fly a st George, Welsh or Scottish flag from your vessel as that is reserved for admirals. Doing so can lead to arrest, confiscation of the vessel and a large fine.
Luckily our rules are not policed.
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Care to produce a law codifying these "rules"? The Merchant Shipping Act won't help you, by the way.
 
I was under the impression you should only fly a courtesy flag after you make an official check-in (where required). I think it was last year on my way from Turkey to Samos Island a Frontex patrol came alongside about 5 miles out from Pythagorio and started shouting at me that I was in Greek waters and should be flying a Greek courtesy flag. I told them my understanding but they persisted. I offered to stop and invited them to come alongside to discuss as it was difficult to hear above the engines of both boats as we were still making 7 knots. They just buggered off.
I wasn't flying a Q and I never have and don't possess one.
 
Irish Rover said:
I was under the impression you should only fly a courtesy flag after you make an official check-in (where required). I think it was last year on my way from Turkey to Samos Island a Frontex patrol came alongside about 5 miles out from Pythagorio and started shouting at me that I was in Greek waters and should be flying a Greek courtesy flag. I told them my understanding but they persisted. I offered to stop and invited them to come alongside to discuss as it was difficult to hear above the engines of both boats as we were still making 7 knots. They just buggered off.
I wasn't flying a Q and I never have and don't possess one.
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My understanding was that the Q flag was the one that had to be flown prior to customs clearance and then taken down whereas courtesy flag should be flown as soon as territorial waters are entered, which I have always believed is 12 miles offshore.

Richard
 
RichardS said:
My understanding was that the Q flag was the one that had to be flown prior to customs clearance and then taken down whereas courtesy flag should be flown as soon as territorial waters are entered, which I have always believed is 12 miles offshore.

Richard
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So are you saying Q and courtesy should be flown simultaneously until check-in?
 
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