Why do ships fly the flags of countries they visit?

[Ny Alesund]

Has anyone ever noticed that when you are on ship and sail to another country, shortly before arriving in port, an employee will raise the flag of whatever nation you are sailing into (usually on either the bow or stern)? I have noticed this on many cruises I have been on, but have been unable to find an answer online. Note, what I am asking about is not in relation to the "flags of convenience" which many ships fly representing their ports of registry.

[chengkp75]

Has anyone ever noticed that when you are on ship and sail to another country, shortly before arriving in port, an employee will raise the flag of whatever nation you are sailing into (usually on either the bow or stern)? I have noticed this on many cruises I have been on, but have been unable to find an answer online. Note, what I am asking about is not in relation to the "flags of convenience" which many ships fly representing their ports of registry.

 

All ships fly the flags of their country of registry, not just "flags of convenience. At sea, they usually don't fly the flag as the wind and weather will degrade the flag quickly. While underway, in a country's territorial waters, the flag state flag will be flown from the mainmast, and when docked or anchored, it will be flown from the jackstaff on the stern.

 

Ships fly the flag of the country they are visiting as a sign of respect, as part of "flag etiquette". The port state flag will be flown from the mainmast. The "house flag", or flag of the cruise line, is typically flown at the mainmast along with the port state flag, with the house flag being flown outboard of the port state.

[BillB48]

What you are seeing is basically a ship of country A is sailing into country B's waters, they will raise country B's flag on a forward (usually starboard) mast as a sign of respect and acknowledgement A is within B's territorial waters . The flag will remain in that position until the ship leaves B's waters. In many jurisdictions proper flying of the host country's flag required by law and penalties can be applied if not done so.

[Ny Alesund]

Yeah, that's what I thought. I always assumed it was some sort of symbol of respect. I had no idea it was required by law in some jurisdictions. Thanks

[compozer]

It is really cool to see all the flags on the back wall on the bridge.

[JMorris271]

All ships fly the flags of their country of registry, not just "flags of convenience. At sea, they usually don't fly the flag as the wind and weather will degrade the flag quickly. While underway, in a country's territorial waters, the flag state flag will be flown from the mainmast, and when docked or anchored, it will be flown from the jackstaff on the stern.

 

Ships fly the flag of the country they are visiting as a sign of respect, as part of "flag etiquette". The port state flag will be flown from the mainmast. The "house flag", or flag of the cruise line, is typically flown at the mainmast along with the port state flag, with the house flag being flown outboard of the port state.

ThanksCk

[navybankerteacher]

Simply put, it is traditional maritime etiquette.

[Heidi13]

The display of flags is governed by Flag Etiquette, which dictates a seniority between flags and where and when they should be displayed.

 

The National Ensign, which is determined by the ship's port of registry, is the most senior flag. As Cheng mentioned, this is flown from the mainmast when underway at sea, then is moved to the stern jack, when in port. When on the mainmast, no flag should be above the national ensign.

 

Next flag in seniority is known as the Courtesy Ensign, which is the flag of the country being visited, as identified by the OP poster. This is displayed from the most senior halyard or yard-arm. The most senior is the Stbd Outer, so the courtesy ensign should be on the stbd side of the mast and on the outer halyard, if multiple halyards.

 

The next flag in seniority is the cruise line's house flag, which should be displayed on the port outer halyard.

 

Various signal flags requesting pilots, free practique, pilot on-board, bunkering, etc are displayed from the inner halyards.

 

On the bow, or stem jack is another house flag.

 

Flag Etiquette also dictates the times of raising and lowering flags and also the sequence; however, sadly most ships do not comply with these intricate details and many of the younger officers and Captains have probably never experienced proper flag protocols.

[sail7seas]

Thank you to the port for their hospitality and welcome ?

[sail7seas]

Do all cargo and cruise ships c arry flags for every country on the planet?

[Capt_BJ]

commonly referred to as a

 

courtesy flag

 

in the yachting world it is not usually flown until 'clearance' has been granted or in other words customs of the country has been cleared . .

 

As a matter of courtesy, it is proper to fly the flag of a foreign nation on your boat when you enter and operate on its waters. ... It is not hoisted until clearance has been completed and the yellow "Q" flag has been removed, and the vessel has been granted pratique by the appropriate authorities.

[sail7seas]

Thank you, Capain, BJ I find this thread interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

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[Heidi13]

Do all cargo and cruise ships c arry flags for every country on the planet?

 

Cruise ships know their schedules well in advance, but the old "Tramp Ships" or cargo ships that went worldwide in search of cargo, would have the ship's agent purchase a courtesy ensign at the previous port, or if orders were changed mid-voyage, the agent at the arrival port would supply the flag on docking, or send it out with the pilot.

[chengkp75]

Cruise ships know their schedules well in advance, but the old "Tramp Ships" or cargo ships that went worldwide in search of cargo, would have the ship's agent purchase a courtesy ensign at the previous port, or if orders were changed mid-voyage, the agent at the arrival port would supply the flag on docking, or send it out with the pilot.

 

Yes, frequently purchased along with the requisite charts for the area the ship is going to, if it is new to that ship.

[Aquahound]

Flags are pretty easy to obtain. I've even seen pilots take flags out to ships. Sometimes they fly novelty flags like the Conch Republic flag in Key West.

[SRF]

Do all cargo and cruise ships c arry flags for every country on the planet?

 

Why would they have to carry flags of land locked countries???? :D

 

It is hard to cruise to Switzerland, or Belrussia or Kazakhstan or .......

 

:D

[sparks1093]

Why would they have to carry flags of land locked countries???? :D

 

It is hard to cruise to Switzerland, or Belrussia or Kazakhstan or .......

 

:D

 

Global warming.:')

[CanobieFan]

Flags are pretty easy to obtain. I've even seen pilots take flags out to ships. Sometimes they fly novelty flags like the Conch Republic flag in Key West.

haha, yeessss!

 

I also enjoy seeing the flags, especially if it's someplace new for me? It kinda adds to my personal excitement.

[chengkp75]

Why would they have to carry flags of land locked countries???? :D

 

It is hard to cruise to Switzerland, or Belrussia or Kazakhstan or .......

 

:D

 

And yet the second largest manufacturer of slow speed marine diesel engines still builds massive (80Mw, about second largest in the world) engines in Switzerland. This engine weighs over 2300 metric tons, and each piston weighs 5.5 tons.

[SRF]

And yet the second largest manufacturer of slow speed marine diesel engines still builds massive (80Mw, about second largest in the world) engines in Switzerland. This engine weighs over 2300 metric tons, and each piston weighs 5.5 tons.

 

But not to many cruise ports in the country. :D

 

Amazing how that small country leads the world in small precision devices (watches) and also huge marine diesel engines.

[chengkp75]

But not to many cruise ports in the country. :D

 

Amazing how that small country leads the world in small precision devices (watches) and also huge marine diesel engines.

 

Another interesting fact is that Switzerland has an ocean-going Merchant Marine, that in 2010 had 37 vessels, making it the largest Merchant Marine for a landlocked country. Home port is Basel.

[BillB48]

Along the same line, I have seen a ship registered in Bolivia with the home port of La Paz.

[sail7seas]

haha, yeessss!

 

I also enjoy seeing the flags, especially if it's someplace new for me? It kinda adds to my personal excitement.

 

We saw a good flag store in Newport, Rhode Island. A huge slection.

[CPT Trips]

But not to many cruise ports in the country. :D

 

Amazing how that small country leads the world in small precision devices (watches) and also huge marine diesel engines.

 

Just goes to show, size doesn't matter.

[SRF]

We saw a good flag store in Newport, Rhode Island. A huge slection.

 

NewPORT. :D