Flags On Embassy Flag, Inc.

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Boating flags / Marine flags are stocked for more than 100 different nations. International boat flags are also known as courtesy flags, The courtesy flag of the visited country replaces the yellow quarantine flag once cleared into port. International boat flags can also be used to display the heritage or nationality of the boat owner.

Some international courtesy flags are the civil ensign of the nation, i.e., without the national coat of arms or emblem. Countries that specify the use of a civil ensign for marine use include Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, San Marino, Serbia, Spain and Venezuela. Use of the national flag that includes the emblem or coat of arms can be viewed as either improper protocol, or in some cases, illegal.

Display of Courtesy Flags & Foreign Guest Flags (ref; United States Power Squadron)
If your vessel is without a mast, it should display the courtesy flag at the bow, in lieu of a squadron or club burgee, or on a starboard antenna strong enough to support it. If your vessel has one or more masts, display it single-hoisted at the outboard signal halyard of the main starboard spreader. Move any flag normally flown there to the inboard starboard halyard or, if your boat has only one halyard per side, to the port spreader halyard.

The customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another. It is best to learn the correct procedure for the country you are entering. In some countries it is customary to fly the courtesy flag only after the quarantine flag (the yellow 'Q' flag) and the vessel has been granted pratique by the appropriate authorities.

Do Not fly a foreign courtesy flag after you have returned to U.S. waters. Do Not display a U.S. yacht ensign in foreign waters. When a foreign guest is aboard, the ensign of the guest's country may be displayed from the bow staff or outboard port spreader. Should more than one such guest flag be appropriate, wear them on spreader halyards from port to starboard in the alphabetical order of their countries' names in the English language

Pratique - def. "License or permission to use a port, given to a ship after quarantine or on showing a clean bill of health".

When an American boat crosses the national boundaries of the United States to visit a foreign port, or a foreign yacht visits an American port, certain customs, immigration, and other regulations must be obeyed. As a result of various provisions and exemptions applying to yachts, not to vessels engaged in trade, the procedure has been so simplified that there is nothing in these legal requirements to deter a recreational craft from enjoying a cruise outside U.S. waters. There are severe penalties, however, for failure to observe the regulations that do apply.

On arrival at a foreign port, the owner or captain of a yacht (any size) should report to the authorities. The "Q" flag (plain yellow) should be flown where it can be easily seen-starboard spreader, radio antenna, fishing outrigger, etc.- to indicate that the vessel desires to be boarded by customs and other governmental authorities. When reporting, the crew and guests must remain aboard until 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. Traditionally, quarantine flags are not used for trips between the United States and Canada on the Great Lakes.

Courtesy flags or international ensigns, US State and Territory boat flags and US Military boat flags are USA made, 12"x18" 200 denier nylon with canvas heading and brass grommets. All 50 states, 5 territories and all US military boat flags including POW MIA boat flags are offered.

About Our Boat Flags: Types of United States Boat Flags and Ensigns

U.S.A. Boat Flags are available from 12"x18" through 48"x72" (4x6 ft) with embroidered stars and sewn stripes. Printed versions in the same nylon material are available from 12"x18" thru 24"x36".
U.S. Yacht Ensigns are quality USA made, with embroidered or sewn stars and anchor, and sewn stripes and offered in 7 sizes from 12"x18" to 4 x 6 ft. Compare the high quality of our US Yacht Ensigns to those ensigns elsewhere that are sold as printed. The design consists of 13 white stars and anchor and rope emblem in white on a blue field in the canton with thirteen alternating red and white stripes.
U.S. Navy Jack (aka Union Jack) is offered in 100% nylon with embroidered stars. It has 50 white stars on a blue field in 9 rows, alternating 6 and 5 stars per row, available in three sizes and is still in use by the U.S. Navy in larger sizes.
First Navy Jack (Don’t Tread on Me flag). Red and white horizontal stripes and a snake, unofficially dates from 1775. It remains in use as a maritime flag by the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA and several other federal agencies.
Official US Coast Guard Auxiliary flags: The field of the Auxiliary Ensign is medium blue (Pantone® 280C) with a broad diagonal white slash upon which a matching blue Coast Guard Auxiliary emblem is centered. The white slash is at a 70-degree angle, rising away from the hoist. This flag is offered in two sizes. (Reference U.S. Coast Guard Heraldry)
U.S. Power Squadron ensigns are an inversion of the Yacht Ensign, and the design consists of 13 white stars and a white anchor & rope emblem in on a red upper hoist canton, with 13 alternating vertical white and blue stripes in the field. Power Squadron flags are offered in 5 sizes, all flags are nylon and USA made.
Yacht Club Officer Flags Nylon flags, 12x18 inch with grommets, USA made. Also available as 4x6 inch desktop flags on a 10-inch staff. Commodore flags have 13 white stars in a circle around a white anchor and rope emblem on a blue field. Vice Commodore flags have the same 13 white stars and anchor and rope emblem on a red field. Rear Commodore flags have red stars and the emblem on a white field. Past Commodore flags have 3 white stars on the hoist side, with the anchor and rope emblem to the fly. The Fleet Captain flag has the anchor and rope emblem in blue on a white field. The Secretary flag has white crossed quill pens on a blue field. The Treasurer flag has a white acorn on a blue field. All yacht club officer flags are USA made.
Yacht Race Committee Flags / Yacht Regatta Flags are 100% USA made of marine grade nylon with appliqued / stitched emblems and two brass grommets. R&C letters are in white, the anchor and rope emblem in red, all on a blue field. Race committee flags are available in 5 sizes.

Other Popular Boat Flags

Quarantine boat flags are yellow blanks and are also offered in five other signal code flag sizes. Quarantine flags are used to declare entry into a foreign country and to request customs and immigration clearance. The quarantine flag is flown from the port side of the boat and replaced by the courtesy flag of the visited country once cleared into port.

Diver / Scuba flags have a diagonal white stripe across a red field. The "Alpha" signal code flag can also signify "diver down".

Guest boat flags have a white diagonal stripe across a blue field.
Dinner / Meal flags are plain white blanks.
Owner Absent flags are navy blue blanks.
Skunk flag signifies "no fish", "getting skunked" or not hooking a fish.
No Smoking flag, white lettering on a green field with the universal red slash symbol.
19^th Hole flag pertains to after golf libations, and not so much to boating.
Coffee Time flag (cup of hot java on a purple flag)
Cocktail flag, a white flag with double martini glasses.
Beer flags, Cocktail flags and Happy Hour flags are also offered in full size 3x5 ft.
USA Patriot flag simply spells out "USA" in a red, white and blue motif.
Jolly Roger and Gadsden boat flags are 12x18"and are also available in 3x5 ft.
I Love Fishing and I Love Sailing flags have stylized text along with the red heart emblem on a white field.