The Ensign (the national flag of the country under which the boat is registered) This is the most important flag, which says the most about the boat and crew.
What do flags mean on boats?
Solo or combined, nautical flags convey meaning.
Depending on the intended message, boats fly one flag or up to seven flags in a row. For example, if you see the A (Alpha) flag, this means “diver down, keep clear.” If you see the W (Whiskey) flag, the boat has a medical emergency and needs help.
Can you fly your own flag on a boat?
Ensign flags used to be restricted to documented vessels only. Now it is common courtesy to fly the national flag on all types of recreational boats.
What is the flag called on a sailboat?
The U.S Ensign is usually flown from the stern of a small boat. A yacht ensign instead of the national ensign may be flown from the stern. The size of a flag is important. The national ensign should be an inch on the fly for each foot of the overall length of the vessel.
What do you call the flag on a boat? – Related Questions
What does a black flag on a boat mean?
When the black flag was shown, it meant that if the other ship surrendered, quarter (mercy) would be shown to those on board. This became a tactic of captains because pirate vessels could only fight so many battles.
Can I fly a pirate flag on my boat?
Sure. Lots of boats do. Just fly it from the correct location and not where national flags are to be flown. Under US law, at least, there is no law against flying any flag on a vessel.
What does a red flag mean on a boat?
Four signals are created from nautical flags to signal different weather warnings. All-weather warning signals are communicated with red and/or black flags. A small craft warning is simply a single red pendant flag, while a small craft advisory (gale warning) is two red pendant flags.
What flag should I fly on my boat?
The U.S. national ensign, sometimes called “50-star” or “Old Glory,” is the proper and preferred flag for all U.S. vessels. Your boat should wear it from 0800 until sunset, and when you enter or leave port during daylight or at night, weather and rig permitting.
What is a Jolly Roger on a boat?
Jolly Roger is the traditional English name for the flags flown to identify a pirate ship preceding or during an attack, during the early 18th century (the later part of the Golden Age of Piracy).
What is a burgee flag?
Definition of burgee
1 : a swallow-tailed flag used especially by ships for signals or identification. 2 : the usually triangular identifying flag of a yacht club.
What flag is on below deck sailing yacht?
The Manx flag could be seen flying from the stern of superyacht Sirocco, which features in the channel’s reality series Below Deck Mediterranean.
Who can fly the Red Ensign?
Who is entitled to fly the Red Ensign? Any vessel registered in the UK, a Crown Dependency (CD) or an Overseas Territory (OT), is defined as a British ship and is allowed to fly the British Merchant Shipping flag the ‘Red Ensign.
What flag does a ship fly when leaving port?
The Courtesy Flag
It is a custom among merchant ships when entering or leaving a foreign port and during their stay in the port to fly the colours of that country. as a mark of respect; the exact details of flying such a flag with regard to timings can be obtained from the port control.
What does an orange flag mean on a boat?
State law requires that boats towing person(s) on water skis or similar devices carry and use an orange or red skier-down flag, at least 12 × 12 inches in size, whenever the towed person(s) or associated equipment is down in the water. Topic 12 of 19.
What does a white flag mean on a boat?
In the event of distress, a distress flag should be flown from any vessel. The colors of the flag indicate the nature of the emergency: a white flag indicates a warning or request for help.
What does a blue flag on a boat mean?
If you are an individual boat owner, and you wish to make particular efforts towards a better environment, you can sign our Code of Conduct, and become part of our network. You will receive a Blue Flag for your boat, to show that you respect those rules, and that you are a proud lover of our oceans and coastline.
What is a yellow flag on a boat?
a yellow flag, designating the letter Q in the International Code of Signals: flown by itself to signify that a ship has no disease on board and requests a pratique, or flown with another flag to signify that there is disease on board ship.
What does a green flag on a boat mean?
Green Flag – Low Hazard
A green flag means that the threat of danger is low, and you should be completely safe when heading out into the water.
What are the different flags on boats?
International Maritime Signal Flags & Their Meanings
- A (Alfa) “I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.”
- B (Bravo)
- C (Charlie)
- D (Delta)
- E (Echo)
- F (Foxtrot)
- G (Golf)
- H (Hotel)
What do flags R and Y mean?
Romeo-Yankee (R over Y) proceed at slow speed when passing.