sailboat flag etiquette, burgees, day shapes and ensigns, a beginners guide

[@silvanocometta9760]

Hi there, in Europe we learned that the club flag and the country flags of the skipper and crew are all located under the port spreader only. The starboard spreader is only for courtesy flag and Q-flag. Regards from Switzerland, Silvano

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

interesting, thanks for the info, I'm sure we will hear a lot of variations... greetings from Cape Town

[@pdevrin]

Correct.....starboard only courtesy and Qflag........portside.....crew nationality or yachtclubmember

[@AlanSternCooper]

Great .better than anything you can find on the internet

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thanks for watching and posting such amazing comments

[@Phylaetra]

That is some good information! Thank you for helping us learn!

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thanks so much for adding such value to our channel, much appreciated

[@gracealshemmari5907]

Thank you ! I'm 50...just bought our first sailboat and I need all the information I can !!!!

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

very exciting times for you, all the best and thanks for watching

[@williamgosvener47]

If you are registered with the US coast Guard or and US member State, this information isn't correct. As the US have specific flag laws commonly called the flag code. It all and all changes how you fly flags, and combined make it almost possible to fly a courtesy flag. As most boats are not double masted.

[@MrB-ti2ye]

Wow just fantastic . Plane and simple well done Sir. I've 20 years on the water. Just brilliant for new comers

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

so great to hear such positive feedback, highly encouraging, thanks so much

[@davidpearson8954]

thanks for the hard work you put into these videos. really helpful.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

my pleasure, happy to hear and thanks for watching

[@eddie1v]

Great instructional videos. Hope you keep them coming. Surprised you don’t have more subscribers yet.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Hi and thanks for the great comments. We are still very new so hoping to get there

[@Dan_C604]

Just remember when you sail over North America (Canada or US) or Caribbean we display the Q flag this way “The yellow flag Pratique is permission to enter a port after quarantine. On arrival at a foreign port the Q flag (plain yellow) should be flown. This requests customs and immigration officials to board, or the skipper goes ashore to register the boat and crew. Once pratique has been granted the Q flag is lowered and the courtesy national flag is hoisted.” This is the way we do it in Canada and in the US. I don’t think they will tell you differently if you come from let’s say Europe and you display both, but that is our proper way.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thanks Dan for your informative contribution, much appreciated... keep it coming

[@nors1286]

Very informative videos. Much appreciated by this novice.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thank you for watching and posting such great comments

[@larry9210]

Very very well done! Looking forward to ATONs.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thank you, and great idea

[@RogerMannett]

i should also note the US/Caribbean Diver Below Flag is different to the International Alpha Signal - it is a Red Flag with a White Diagonal stripe from Top left to Bottom Righ as seen on the shroud.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

correct again, thanks for the input 😊

[@RogerMannett]

Appreciate the effort that goes into your videaus- enjoy the animations, great work Thanks for the response. Sometimes its a struggle juggling hemispheres and country standards- ie US Red right heading to harbour- opposite her in Aust/NZ SA and europe - mostly

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

@@RogerMannett agreed, I am busy with Aids to Navigation and trying to incorporate the differences... thanks again

[@cc-to]

I believe these two flags have slightly different connotations and can be used concurrently. Alpha is a boat-to-boat right-of-way assertion that means "I cannot move, you need to go around me". Otherwise a sailboat, for example, might try to demand that a small power boat move out its way. The stripe flag, which is not among the maritime signal flags, is a life-safety warning for where the divers are operating. So alpha means "avoid this boat" and the stripe means "avoid these people".

[@ushi120]

Corrections - Remember!!! starboard = very important information! port side= information nice to know Examples: Courtesy flag, Quarantine, diver in water, etc - Starbord spreader Your nationality, language, sailing club - Port spreader Boat Registration - Sternpole (or Backstay if necessary)

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thanks for the info, much appreciated

[@amirhujaleh6327]

When should you hauled down courtesy flag?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Only when you leave that country and are out of their waters

[@rodneyallen5003]

Great information to get us new sailors started. Can anyone provide some links to “cheat-sheets” ( for lack of better terminology, I’m learning… ) to the different types of flags ? I’m recently discovering my desire to sail and trying to get my hands on as much information as possible. It’s a long learning curve . Thanks

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thanks for contributing and adding such valuable feedback. Check in the descriptions for cheat sheet links, or find them at www.searchingforcoconuts.com

[@MrTrevorf]

Nice videos. I am about to make the transition from Trainee to Crew with the NSRI at Station 5 Durban and have watched your videos for added learning on my journey to Crew. I noticed that you have the incorrect description for the Charlie flag 😊

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Hi Trevor... thanks firstly for your service, much appreciated. Yes, I did make an error, it was corrected in updated slides on our website. If you noticed that (one of only two people), skip the exam and go straight to crew, well done. And thanks for watching, means a great deal

[@RogerMannett]

I am assuming the burgee is flown below the courtesy flag on the Stbd Spreader? as that was not clear from the animation?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Hi Roger, correct, no flag should fly above the courtesy flag

[@DrZond]

I am an American citizen. I just bought a sailboat in Panama and it has a Panamanian flag. (Meaning it's registered in Panama) I intend to keep it there and spend the winters living on it. So I would fly the Panamanian flag off the stern, and an American flag off the starboard spreader? Is that right?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Hi and thanks for watching... You would fly your American flag off the port spreader. The starboard is for courtesy flags when you visit other countries.

[@biscuiteater40]

Where do you get all the courtesy flags? Do you buy them as you enter the foreign port and put it up after you buy it? Or are you expected to pull into port already flying it?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

it's a sign of respect so during your passage/route planning, best order some flags, or at least make a good attempt at making one. It can make the difference of a smooth check-in and clearance, or result in additional bribes or delayed processes.

[@dilligafwoftam985]

In Europe countries either side will sell the flag of the country you are heading to.

[@vinodbhosle2674]

Very useful information thanks.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

you're welcome, thanks for watching

[@laurieespi4828]

Awesome vids, well done and thanks!

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

awesome comments, thanks, highly appreciated

[@Chebab-Chebab]

It's very informative, there's an incredible amount to learn, I've already subscribed, but how many boaters know all these?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

the ones used often are the ones that we learn quickly.... thanks for your comments

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

@@dongregg615 thanks for your comments and thanks for watching

[@craigb2334]

Is it ok to mount the country of registration flag on the backstay or stern pulpit upright member?

[@Dan_C604]

This is what I do when the boat has a dinghy hanging at the transom or other things in there (such as a wind steering vane, a wind turbine!etc.)that become an obstacle to the flag.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

sure thing, thanks Dan for the reply

[@Thru-The-Lens]

Loving the channel ❤

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

fantastic thank you, welcome aboard

[@olivei2484]

How come motor sailers never use the cone, at least they don't very often?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

the only time I've seen them used was on sailing courses 😂😂

[@Navisworker]

What 3D software are you using? Can we go somewhere to look a the model? Learning to sail currently and loving your channel.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Hi and thanks for the great comments. I use Blender software, which is free and can be found at www.blender.org I have not yet uploaded the model anywhere as it has many many modifications as we go and is not yet "cleaned up" ... one day

[@obiwanfisher537]

There is a lot to signalling on boats. Question; If I fly a courtesy flag, and I fly a flag to signal that I, the skipper, am of a different nationality than my boats registration; Where does the Q-Flag go? Under the "VIP Flag"? Or between VIP and Courtesy? And does anyone know why its only starboard and never port?

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Hi, as your Q flag will be used last and removed first, it will be below your national flag. There are some folks who fly their national flags on port side, but should always be lower than the courtesy flag...

[@bruceklein9008]

All of the sailing channels I watch will put up the Q flag by itself,then once properly checked in will then replace it with the courtesy flag.

[@dilligafwoftam985]

Turkey wants both together

[@spaceoddity2485]

Good info

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

thanks so much, greatly appreciated

[@jameswest685]

Thanks, like to learn.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

awesome, great to hear thank you

[@briankoger6224]

At ~ the three minute mark, you got the "X" and "Y" flags mixed up.

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

correct, well spotted. The mistake was rectified on our uploaded slides on our website. Thanks for your input

[@scasey1960]

Amazing that international airlines don’t require quarantine. We now suffer from this gross oversight..

[@dilligafwoftam985]

Ours do 🇦🇺

[@bigpistol2]

Hello from 2021

[@michaelrockinger]

No pirate flag ? 🏴‍☠️

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

nothing tops a pirate flag :) 🏴‍☠️

[@NothusDeusVagus]

Yes... 645... that was me...

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

🙌

[@jonssailing]

The best!

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Thanks Jonathan for taking the time to offer such great comments

[@AfricanFlightStar]

👍🏻👍🏻💥👏🏻👏🏻🇿🇦⛵️

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

🙏🙏🙏

[@salty8752]

This is a chart, not a map, don’t call it a map, ever! I’m 💀. You could have added it identifies as a chart so let it be. 1:03

[@searchingforcoconuts2248]

Oh boy 😂 (oops I mean)

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

There are a handful of flags I won't permit anywhere on my property. Not even on clothing or as a pin. Books and charts are the obvious exception. Etiquette be damned.

[@gatecrasher1970]

not surprised you not got a reply as you clearly a troll

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

@@gatecrasher1970 Why then, did you waste your time and mine replying?