I think the international rules say that you fly the flag of the country
of registry (flag of convenience ?).

Is it improper (illegal) to instead fly the flag of the owner's
nationality as long as a courtesy flag is flown under the spreader ?

Related question; are there any maritime law web sites for future
reference ?

Thanks,



-Sven

I think the international rules say that you fly the flag of the country
of registry (flag of convenience ?).

Yes.

Is it improper (illegal) to instead fly the flag of the owner's
nationality as long as a courtesy flag is flown under the spreader ?

Yes, that is improper.

You should fly your boat's national ensign. If you're a US boat, that would be
the stars and stripes.

If Grandpa happened to emigrate from East Undershirt and you feel compelled to
fly the East Undershirt flag, you'd treat it like a personal signal....same as
a yacht club burgee or etc.


Related question; are there any maritime law web sites for future
reference ?



Tried Google? It would be surprising if there isn't something out there.

Sven wrote:

I think the international rules say that you fly the flag of the country
of registry (flag of convenience ?).

A flag of convenience is a political and economic construct. It has
absolutely nothing to do with the nationality of the owner and by
definition does not reflect the nationality or residence of the owner or
operator.

Is it improper (illegal) to instead fly the flag of the owner's
nationality as long as a courtesy flag is flown under the spreader ?

Yes, it is illegal. The ship must fly the flag of its nation of
registry. This is called the "flag state" for a reason.

A courtesy flag is the flag of the "flag state" within whose waters the
ship is sailing. The flag of the ships registry is never a courtesy flag
for that ship.

Related question; are there any maritime law web sites for future
reference ?

Yes, lots of them. Try Google for flag state, flag of convenience, IMO,
FOC. Go from there.

Rick

On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 16:53:37 +0000, Gould 0738 wrote:


If Grandpa happened to emigrate from East Undershirt and you feel compelled to
fly the East Undershirt flag, you'd treat it like a personal signal....same as
a yacht club burgee or etc.


Where exactly IS "East Undershirt", anyway? Is it where my socks go
when I wash them?

Lloyd

You may also fly the flag of your next port of call. I forget the rule on
how to display now but it is not in place of the flag of registry, which you
also display.
Dad
"Sven" wrote in message
news
I think the international rules say that you fly the flag of the country
of registry (flag of convenience ?).

Is it improper (illegal) to instead fly the flag of the owner's
nationality as long as a courtesy flag is flown under the spreader ?

Related question; are there any maritime law web sites for future
reference ?

Thanks,



-Sven

There is no law or legalities involved. If it is your own private pleasure
craft than you can basically do what you like. Out of respect you may fly
the country you are in flag the highest then a nationality flag of those on
board is simple respect or courtesy. The numbers of the vessel must be
clearly visible and that will tell what country your registered in and
whether you fly flags or not it is up to you.





"Sven" wrote in message
news
I think the international rules say that you fly the flag of the country
of registry (flag of convenience ?).

Is it improper (illegal) to instead fly the flag of the owner's
nationality as long as a courtesy flag is flown under the spreader ?

Related question; are there any maritime law web sites for future
reference ?

Thanks,



-Sven

" Tuuk" wrote in message
...

snipe

board is simple respect or courtesy. The numbers of the vessel must be
clearly visible and that will tell what country your registered in
snipe

If it is a documented vessel the numbers will not be visible..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

On Tue, 09 Dec 2003 08:05:21 -0800, Sven
wrote:

I think the international rules say that you fly the flag of the country
of registry (flag of convenience ?).

Yes, as long as the ship/boat IS registered You fly the flag for the
country in which it's registered, convenience or not.


Is it improper (illegal) to instead fly the flag of the owner's
nationality as long as a courtesy flag is flown under the spreader ?

Courtesy flags has no bearing on the nationality flag. The answer here
is:

a) If the vessel is registered it is not correct to fly another flag.

b)If the ship is NOT registered (as for example most swedish pleasure
crafts under 12x4 meters), You SHOULD fly the flag of the owners
nationality.

If the owner and/or captain has a different nationality than the
vessels registration, it is not uncommon to fly this flag under the
port spreader, similarly to the courtesy flag under the starboard
spreader. If the vessel has multiple flag halyards on the starboard
spreader, the captains/crews/owners national ensign is flown there,
inboard from the courtesy ensign.


For example, a french charter boat, with a swedish crew visiting
italy. Three flags.


/Marcus

--
Marcus AAkesson
Gothenburg Callsigns: SM6XFN & SB4779
Sweden
Keep the world clean - no HTML in news or mail !

In article ,
Marcus AAkesson wrote:

Courtesy flags has no bearing on the nationality flag. The answer here
is:

a) If the vessel is registered it is not correct to fly another flag.

b)If the ship is NOT registered (as for example most swedish pleasure
crafts under 12x4 meters), You SHOULD fly the flag of the owners
nationality.

If the owner and/or captain has a different nationality than the
vessels registration, it is not uncommon to fly this flag under the
port spreader, similarly to the courtesy flag under the starboard
spreader. If the vessel has multiple flag halyards on the starboard
spreader, the captains/crews/owners national ensign is flown there,
inboard from the courtesy ensign.


For example, a french charter boat, with a swedish crew visiting
italy. Three flags.

Excellent, I have the answer. The Swedish flag under the port spreader.

Where did you look it up or where were you originally learn the rules ?

Thanks Marcus,



-Sven

On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:28:18 -0800, Sven
wrote:

Excellent, I have the answer. The Swedish flag under the port spreader.

Where did you look it up or where were you originally learn the rules ?

The registry flag rules are quite clear and available both online and
in most books for nautical training.

The courtesy flags are more of a custom but there are some good online
references like http://flagspot.net/flags/index.html

Your question regarding the "third" flag is more difficult, I think
mainly it's an observation, that this seems to be a common practice,
and I also found some reference to it in marine literature. There are
no definitive "rules" regarding this, but this is the most common way
to do it as far as I know, and there is certainly nothing to forbid
it. The general rule is that as long as You fly the registry flag
correctly, and then the courtesy flag in it's position, any flag in a
tertiary position should never be offensive to anyone. Here You also
fly club ensigns or other flags for informational purposes.

Fair winds,


/Marcus

--
Marcus AAkesson
Gothenburg Callsigns: SM6XFN & SB4779
Sweden
Keep the world clean - no HTML in news or mail !