PhilipH
Well-Known Member
Re thread below, I know about flying the Q flag and that it includes requesting "Free Pratique" - I understand the sense and usage, but what is "Pratique" or "a Pratique"?
Free Pratique
- Thread starter PhilipH
- Start date
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Pratique is the license given to a ship to enter port on assurance from the captain to convince the authorities that he/she is free from contagious disease.
A ship can signal a request for "Pratique" by flying a solid yellow square-shaped flag. This yellow flag is the Q flag in the set of International maritime signal flags.
A ship can signal a request for "Pratique" by flying a solid yellow square-shaped flag. This yellow flag is the Q flag in the set of International maritime signal flags.
Roach1948
Well-Known Member
Please correct me, but I do believe the "Q" stands for "Quarantine", which should be the status the vessel is in until given pratique. Strictly speaking one should not land or board any other vessel until cleared by the port doctor who would be brought out to you in a boat.
Carduelis
Well-Known Member
I think the definition is (from memory): "My vessel is free of contagious disease and I request free pratique"
sailorman
Well-Known Member
peterb
Well-Known Member
Health clearance. Theoretically you remain in quarantine until free pratique has been granted. That's why the Q is often referred to as the quarantine flag.
stephenh
Well-Known Member
It used to be that there was a subtle difference between the two.
It is possible to be under quarantine - e.g. with weevils in a wheat cargo or suchlike and therefore anchored off; and yet still be granted pratique for crew to go ashore.
Perhaps this would be 'conditional pratique' rather than 'free pratique'.
It is possible to be under quarantine - e.g. with weevils in a wheat cargo or suchlike and therefore anchored off; and yet still be granted pratique for crew to go ashore.
Perhaps this would be 'conditional pratique' rather than 'free pratique'.
PhilipH
Well-Known Member
Thanks - license then.
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
'I request free pratique'. I translate as, permission to go about my lawful business.
You may not know that the system of reporting suspected disease or death of crew has changed somewhat.
Nowadays, only if you have suspected disease or death aboard, you have to notify the port and fly a yellow flag if you have one. This must be done in advance, not less than 4 and not more than 12 hours of arrival.
You will be instructed where to berth/moor, where medical expertise will be available to you.
If you do not have suspected disease or death, then free pratique should be assumed. No flag necessary.
You may not know that the system of reporting suspected disease or death of crew has changed somewhat.
Nowadays, only if you have suspected disease or death aboard, you have to notify the port and fly a yellow flag if you have one. This must be done in advance, not less than 4 and not more than 12 hours of arrival.
You will be instructed where to berth/moor, where medical expertise will be available to you.
If you do not have suspected disease or death, then free pratique should be assumed. No flag necessary.
Latestarter1
Well-Known Member
Just a little of the 'Q' definition missing.
Flying 'Q' makes the statement. 'My ship is healthy I request free pratique'. Request to proceed into port rather than await inspection by port doctor at quantine anchorage.
Flying 'Q' makes the statement. 'My ship is healthy I request free pratique'. Request to proceed into port rather than await inspection by port doctor at quantine anchorage.
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
No, now obsolete.
Free pratique is now automatically granted UNLESS you have suspected disease or death, which you must report ahead by phone or radio. This is a worldwide agreement.
Saying that, in my work, I still see one or two ships per year using the previous system you describe. No harm in that.
Free pratique is now automatically granted UNLESS you have suspected disease or death, which you must report ahead by phone or radio. This is a worldwide agreement.
Saying that, in my work, I still see one or two ships per year using the previous system you describe. No harm in that.
Sy-Revolution
Well-Known Member
So when should it be used? I was under the impression that one needed to fly it when arriving in a foreign country but at Oostende last year Sailorman kindly took mine down for me saying one doesn't want to attract too much attention!
We didn't whilst visiting France last summer, were boarded (because we were flying a Jolly Roger, and they didn't like that!) but it didn't seem a problem. So should I, shouldn't I? Perhaps not in EU counties?
Wha?
We didn't whilst visiting France last summer, were boarded (because we were flying a Jolly Roger, and they didn't like that!) but it didn't seem a problem. So should I, shouldn't I? Perhaps not in EU counties?
Wha?
westernman
Well-Known Member
Entering a port in any vessel (including one registered in the country of that port), if that vessel is not flying the Q flag, then it means that the vessel has nothing to declare and no visas for its passengers are required etc. It counts as a formal declaration of nothing to declare and is the equivalent of going through the green lane at the airport.
Otherwise, (for instance you have your new Chinese girlfriend from Shanghai with you, or your cabin is full of untaxed casques of whiskey), you have to fly the Q flag, and immediately go to the customs office and immigration/police of the port. Also you must first enter the country at a port of entry.
Then you can go to other ports in the country without further formality (usually - I think there may be special cases such as Libya.....)
Officials everywhere get pissed off if you don't respect their rules and treat them with the respect they think they deserve. The UK is no exception.
Also it is well worth respecting the etiquette of properly flying your national maritime flag (Red Ensign for me) and a clean decent courtesy flag in the right place (from the flag halyiard on the starboard spreader) - then the maritime police/customs will pick on someone else to board and check.
Otherwise, (for instance you have your new Chinese girlfriend from Shanghai with you, or your cabin is full of untaxed casques of whiskey), you have to fly the Q flag, and immediately go to the customs office and immigration/police of the port. Also you must first enter the country at a port of entry.
Then you can go to other ports in the country without further formality (usually - I think there may be special cases such as Libya.....)
Officials everywhere get pissed off if you don't respect their rules and treat them with the respect they think they deserve. The UK is no exception.
Also it is well worth respecting the etiquette of properly flying your national maritime flag (Red Ensign for me) and a clean decent courtesy flag in the right place (from the flag halyiard on the starboard spreader) - then the maritime police/customs will pick on someone else to board and check.
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
Healthwise, you only fly your Q if you've got a health problem.
If you are importing goods or require to check in with Immigration then radio the Harbour Authority who will advise you the local situation.
If you are importing goods or require to check in with Immigration then radio the Harbour Authority who will advise you the local situation.
Drascomber
Well-Known Member
Babelfish gives the translation of pratique as "practical".
Is that really where the word comes from?
Is that really where the word comes from?
westernman
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Healthwise, you only fly your Q if you've got a health problem.
If you are importing goods or require to check in with Immigration then radio the Harbour Authority who will advise you the local situation.
[/ QUOTE ]
No!
If you are arriving in an EU port from a non EU port (or vice vera) you should fly the Q flag (from the 12 mile limit?) until you have cleared customs and immigration formalities. Nothing to do with health!
Healthwise, you only fly your Q if you've got a health problem.
If you are importing goods or require to check in with Immigration then radio the Harbour Authority who will advise you the local situation.
[/ QUOTE ]
No!
If you are arriving in an EU port from a non EU port (or vice vera) you should fly the Q flag (from the 12 mile limit?) until you have cleared customs and immigration formalities. Nothing to do with health!
westernman
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Healthwise, you only fly your Q if you've got a health problem.
If you are importing goods or require to check in with Immigration then radio the Harbour Authority who will advise you the local situation.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is from HM customs:-
[ QUOTE ]
4.1 Do I need to fly the yellow ‘Q’ flag?
If you are arriving directly from another EU Member State you do not need to fly the ‘Q’ flag.
If you are arriving from outside the EU, you must fly the ‘Q’ flag where it can readily be seen as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12 mile limit). Do not take down the flag until you have finished reporting to Customs as described in paragraph 4.2. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.
[/ QUOTE ]
Healthwise, you only fly your Q if you've got a health problem.
If you are importing goods or require to check in with Immigration then radio the Harbour Authority who will advise you the local situation.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is from HM customs:-
[ QUOTE ]
4.1 Do I need to fly the yellow ‘Q’ flag?
If you are arriving directly from another EU Member State you do not need to fly the ‘Q’ flag.
If you are arriving from outside the EU, you must fly the ‘Q’ flag where it can readily be seen as soon as you enter UK waters (the 12 mile limit). Do not take down the flag until you have finished reporting to Customs as described in paragraph 4.2. Failure to comply will make you liable to a penalty.
[/ QUOTE ]
Refueler
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Please correct me, but I do believe the "Q" stands for "Quarantine", which should be the status the vessel is in until given pratique. Strictly speaking one should not land or board any other vessel until cleared by the port doctor who would be brought out to you in a boat.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry but that's b******s.
The Q flag specific single letter meaning is :
"My vessel is healthy and I request Free Pratique"
It is flown during the vessels entry into and coming alongside in port. Shore officials board and grant Free Pratique. The only restriction upon a vessel flying a Q flag is that no person other than shore officials may board or leave the vessel. Port Doctors do not board vessels unless specifically requested to.
That is if by radio Free Pratique hasn't already been given which is now the normal case. And is why it is rare to see the Q flag used now.
A vessel under quarantine would fly a completely different signal and would not be allowed to enter port or near by. She would probably be subject to surveillance as well.
It is a laymans common misunderstanding that the Yellow Q flag is a Quarantine flag. That is totally incorrect.
Please correct me, but I do believe the "Q" stands for "Quarantine", which should be the status the vessel is in until given pratique. Strictly speaking one should not land or board any other vessel until cleared by the port doctor who would be brought out to you in a boat.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry but that's b******s.
The Q flag specific single letter meaning is :
"My vessel is healthy and I request Free Pratique"
It is flown during the vessels entry into and coming alongside in port. Shore officials board and grant Free Pratique. The only restriction upon a vessel flying a Q flag is that no person other than shore officials may board or leave the vessel. Port Doctors do not board vessels unless specifically requested to.
That is if by radio Free Pratique hasn't already been given which is now the normal case. And is why it is rare to see the Q flag used now.
A vessel under quarantine would fly a completely different signal and would not be allowed to enter port or near by. She would probably be subject to surveillance as well.
It is a laymans common misunderstanding that the Yellow Q flag is a Quarantine flag. That is totally incorrect.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
No, now obsolete.
Free pratique is now automatically granted UNLESS you have suspected disease or death, which you must report ahead by phone or radio. This is a worldwide agreement.
Saying that, in my work, I still see one or two ships per year using the previous system you describe. No harm in that.
[/ QUOTE ]
I work with ships every day ...
It is the practical day to day routine now that it is accepted a Vessel is healthy unless stated otherwise. It is still the Masters duty and responsibility to request Free Pratique - which now is usually an extension of the often used method previously of Radio Request for Free Pratique. This is part of the standard message sent to Ships Agents who see about processing vessels permission to enter port.
The actual matter of flying a Q flag hasn't been made obselete. It has evolved would be a better word.
No, now obsolete.
Free pratique is now automatically granted UNLESS you have suspected disease or death, which you must report ahead by phone or radio. This is a worldwide agreement.
Saying that, in my work, I still see one or two ships per year using the previous system you describe. No harm in that.
[/ QUOTE ]
I work with ships every day ...
It is the practical day to day routine now that it is accepted a Vessel is healthy unless stated otherwise. It is still the Masters duty and responsibility to request Free Pratique - which now is usually an extension of the often used method previously of Radio Request for Free Pratique. This is part of the standard message sent to Ships Agents who see about processing vessels permission to enter port.
The actual matter of flying a Q flag hasn't been made obselete. It has evolved would be a better word.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Entering a port in any vessel (including one registered in the country of that port), if that vessel is not flying the Q flag, then it means that the vessel has nothing to declare and no visas for its passengers are required etc. It counts as a formal declaration of nothing to declare and is the equivalent of going through the green lane at the airport.
Otherwise, (for instance you have your new Chinese girlfriend from Shanghai with you, or your cabin is full of untaxed casques of whiskey), you have to fly the Q flag, and immediately go to the customs office and immigration/police of the port. Also you must first enter the country at a port of entry.
Then you can go to other ports in the country without further formality (usually - I think there may be special cases such as Libya.....)
Officials everywhere get pissed off if you don't respect their rules and treat them with the respect they think they deserve. The UK is no exception.
Also it is well worth respecting the etiquette of properly flying your national maritime flag (Red Ensign for me) and a clean decent courtesy flag in the right place (from the flag halyiard on the starboard spreader) - then the maritime police/customs will pick on someone else to board and check.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well that's a new one !! Customs and Pratique are not connected, but Customs do not have their own signal to indicate cleared. It is a health decalartion primarily but a HEALTHY vessel, not a quarantined one. Interested where you got such a tale from - now I see you quote UK Customs ? That is interesting ...
Entering a port in any vessel (including one registered in the country of that port), if that vessel is not flying the Q flag, then it means that the vessel has nothing to declare and no visas for its passengers are required etc. It counts as a formal declaration of nothing to declare and is the equivalent of going through the green lane at the airport.
Otherwise, (for instance you have your new Chinese girlfriend from Shanghai with you, or your cabin is full of untaxed casques of whiskey), you have to fly the Q flag, and immediately go to the customs office and immigration/police of the port. Also you must first enter the country at a port of entry.
Then you can go to other ports in the country without further formality (usually - I think there may be special cases such as Libya.....)
Officials everywhere get pissed off if you don't respect their rules and treat them with the respect they think they deserve. The UK is no exception.
Also it is well worth respecting the etiquette of properly flying your national maritime flag (Red Ensign for me) and a clean decent courtesy flag in the right place (from the flag halyiard on the starboard spreader) - then the maritime police/customs will pick on someone else to board and check.
[/ QUOTE ]
Well that's a new one !! Customs and Pratique are not connected, but Customs do not have their own signal to indicate cleared. It is a health decalartion primarily but a HEALTHY vessel, not a quarantined one. Interested where you got such a tale from - now I see you quote UK Customs ? That is interesting ...
