All About Flags

A Simple Guide to Basic Flag Etiquette

by Laurie St. Aubin, Membership Chair 2003

Flags are patriotic, colorful and fun too, and many boaters delight in flying various flags. And like most things, fun and otherwise, there are rules that go with flying flags.  While I am certainly not a purist when it comes to flying flags, but I have been curious as to the correct way to display them.  I thought that I would pass on what I learned, for those of you that may be interested in flag etiquette. 

If nothing else, maybe I will encourage you to have fun dressing up your boat. Here are a few of the basic flag etiquette guidelines drawn from The Annapolis Book of Seamanship and Chapman’s Handbook of Seamanship.

The author reaching in a light breeze along the Alaskan Coast with a "Yacht Ensign" flying on the stern.

United States "50-star" Ensign

The National Flag (Ensign)

Boats should fly the national flag, and most pleasure boats in US waters have a choice between two of them.

One is the “yacht ensign”, with its fouled anchor over a circle of 13 stars, and the other is the familiar 50-star flag.  The skipper is free to choose which flag to fly in domestic waters.  However, the 50-star flag must be flown by any boat outside US waters.

The size of a flag is determined by the size of the boat that flies it. The ensign should be a minimum of one inch of flag for every one foot of the boat's overall length.

Fly the ensign from morning colors (8:00 a.m.) to evening colors (sunset) whether the boat is at rest, under sail, or under power. There are exceptions to this rule: The ensign is not flown while participating in a race, to prevent wear and tear the flag need not be flown when out of sight of other vessels or when nobody is aboard. The flag is flown while entering or leaving a port, even at night. At morning colors, the ensign is hoisted rapidly before other flags. At evening colors, the ensign is lowered slowly and with ceremony after other flags come down.

United States "Yacht" Ensign

Boats today often fly the ensign from the stern, which provides the best all-round visibility. It should be on a staff that is sufficiently long and angled so the flag flies clear of engine exhaust and rigging. Traditionally, the starboard side of the stern is the choice for the ensign.

The Yacht Club Burgee

The burgee is a small flag displaying the symbol of the skipper's yacht club or other sailing organization.

There are three places you can fly the burgee:

·       The traditional place for the burgee was on the main mast head, (not often done today because of masthead equipment)

·       On a small pole on the bow pulpit.  This is the preferred location for many power boat owners.

·       In the starboard rigging, usually hoisted beneath the lowest starboard spreader on a flag halyard.  This is a more modern custom that is widespread, but still shunned by some purists.

WHSYC Burgee

The burgee may be flown while underway (but not racing) and at anchor.  The burgee may be flown by day and night.  The hoist to the starboard spreader will often contain a number of flags. The order of the flags on the starboard spreader hoist shows the relative precedence you attach to them. (Thus, in foreign waters, you should never fly anything above or outboard of the flag of that country.) If you fly a state flag, it should be the top flag. Next should be the WHYSC burgee.

Flying a ‘Courtesy Flag’- Honoring Other National Flags

When you operate a boat in a foreign nation, it is important and proper to fly the flag on your boat of the nation you are visiting.  You should fly this foreign ensign when you enter and while you operate on its waters.

This simple act of respect for the nation you are visiting will gain you much appreciation.   Too many US yachtsmen ignore this custom, either out of ignorance or disregard.  While cruising to Alaska, we raised the Canadian flag on our starboard spreader after clearing Canadian Customs in Bedwell Harbor.  Our slip neighbors, a Canadian couple, were literally chocked with pride in their nation to see us take the time to raise their flag in solute to our host nation.  Instantly we made a friend, were offered their hospitality and have pictures (they took) to boot.

Courtesy flags (small flags of other nations) are available from most marine supply stores and should be purchased before you leave on a trip. Hoist the courtesy flag when the clearance proceedings have been completed and the yellow "Q" flag has been removed.

Here are some general guidelines to follow regarding courtesy flags:

 - On a sailboat, the courtesy flag is flown at the boat's starboard spreader, while the United States ensign stays at the stern.

 - On a mastless powerboat, the courtesy flag of another nation replaces any flag that is normally flown at the bow of the boat.

Although these points serve as protocol in most waters, keep in mind that customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another; in case of doubt, inquire locally or observe other craft from your country.

As a reminder, U.S. vessels while in international or foreign waters must fly the U.S. ensign (50-star flag) rather than yacht ensign.

When the starboard spreader is used for the "courtesy flag" of the foreign country, the club burgee, or similar flag may be flown from the port spreader.  If the vessel has multiple flag halyards on the starboard spreader, the club burgee is flown there, inboard from the courtesy flag.

Don't fly a foreign courtesy ensign after you have returned to U.S. waters.

Quarantine Flag – Entering a Foreign Country

Customs, immigration, and other regulations must be obeyed when an American boatvisits a foreign port.  Many nations require permits be issued before your arrival, so do your homework.

There are severe penalties for failure to observe the regulations that apply.  Even if you have permits in hand, you must always clear in and out of a country you are visiting.

On arrival at a foreign port, the owner or captain of a yacht (any size) should report to the authorities.

The "Q" Flag

Quarantine Flag

The "Q" flag (plain yellow) should be flown where it can be easily seen-starboard spreader, to indicate that the vessel desires to be boarded by customs and other governmental authorities for clearance in to the country. The crew and guests must remain aboard until clearance permission (pratique) has been granted to land. Once pratique has been granted, the "Q" flag may be lowered and the ‘courtesy flag’ of that nation may be hoisted.

The Yachting Ensign 

Prior to the enactment of income tax laws in the early twentieth century, the federal government obtained most of its operating funds from the collection of tariffs and customs duties levied on foreign goods entering American harbors.  All vessels were subject to inspection, including private yachts.  As the popularity of yachting increased, the burden of customs inspections became tiresome and unnecessary. 

 In 1847, Commodore Stevens proposed to the Secretary of the Treasury that private yachts not engaged in trade or commerce be exempt from inspection.  The Secretary, fully aware of the manpower required to inspect each and every yacht entering a port, agreed to propose legislation that would allow the Treasury Department to license yachts and let such yachts carry a signal of the form, size and colors prescribed by the Secretary of the Navy.

 At the Secretary of the Navy's request, the New York Yacht Club recommended in January 1849, "The American Ensign with the addition of a foul anchor in the union be adopted...."  Thus, the American yacht ensign was created, and it is still used today.