courtesy flags

[Chip Hindes]

I think I can speak for all of us when I say, "eeeewwwwww".

[Tom Spohn]

Here is the local USPS take on it. When we visit Canada we fly the US Ensign from the stern and the Canadian flag from the starboard spreader. We have observed many boats flying all kinds of flags including the Jolly Roger from all areas of the boat. If you go to Canada remember that only the "stars and stripes" should be flown. The Yacht Ensign, which has 13 stars arranged in a circular pattern should be flown only in the US.

http://www.usps.org/localusps/pbps/

[Bill Warnock]

A slightly different senario where vessels are concerned... but I
spent quite a few months on a foreign flagged container ship.

They maintained their flag of registry on the aft end of the poop
deck... and when in foreign ports of call... the host country's
flag flew above the bridge deck... I believe on a starboard
halyard.

Bill

[maddmike]

While this may not totally apply to the thread, here are some things I learned along the way as Zeno's Arrow sits at 29 nations visited.

#1 Even the locals and cruisers out there have differing opinions on what is 'best and proper', but most do fly local national standards on the Starboard shrouds.

#2 Never seen anyone get bothered by local officals if their flags were up or not 'exactly' right, except for not flying or not removing a 'Q' flag in a timely fashion.

#3 In many countries the local kids make pocket change selling local flags to arriving boats; in others they are not available.

#4 My routine is to print a two sided paper color copy of the national flag to desired size off my laptop printer, put it in a plastic cover and fly it as stated above. This way I am never without a flag. Works for all 50 states too.

#5 By printing a notice and flying it below the courtsey flag, it is a handy way to attarct the attention of local gas, water, ice, or related supply tenders that frequent many foreign anchorages. MM

[Beam's Reach]

I remember reading a few years ago about a family with young children cruising around the world. It may have been "All In The Same Boat".

The children spent some of each on-board school day learning about the country they were in, and the country they were heading to next.

Before they reached a new country, Mom and children would make a courtesy flag for that country and have it ready for their first landing. That way they didn't have to keep a big supply of hard to find flags and it provided a great on-board project and learning oppourtunity for the kids.

[Tom Spohn]

We just finished a section of a course on this subject and learned:
1. Chip's original post is correct for virtually everywhere in the world.
2. In the US at least there is no law that dictates where the flags are flown but there is very strong tradition among sailors that was described by Chip.
3. The National Ensign at the stern should be sized for 1" of "fly" (length) for every ft. of boat length. Spreader halyard flags should be sized at 1/2" of fly for total length of mast above the water.
4. The national ensign does not have to fly higher than other flags, but it must be put up first and taken down first.