Question re: flag etiquette

[z28jimi]

If we can get past an unexpected health issue, we hope to make our first trip to the Bahamas later this spring. We typically fly a large US flag from a staff on the stern, and a small US Ensign on a burgee staff on the bow rail. Once we enter Bahamian water, we'll fly a Q flag from the burgee staff, and after clearing customs, my plan was to fly the Bahamian courtesy flag from the burgee staff. Is it acceptable to fly a small courtesy flag like this and still have the large US flag at the stern, or does that violate etiquette in some way?

 

[Scarlett]

The countries flag of the country you are visiting should fly above your American flag. This is just good etiquite. We cruised for 12 years all over the world and most places no one even cares what you do, however if you do it correctly all the time then that one place where they do care you will be covered. John

 

[Pascal]

Us flag stays at the stern and yes I have heard Bahamian Defense patrol boats calling boats on 16 to tell them they had to put it on...

Bahamas courtesy flag is usually flown high from a spreader or antenna. I ve seen it at the bow but don't believe it s correct. Just like flying the us flag at the bow is incorrect

And when you come back, don't leave it up! Around here it s like people leave it on for months as if it advertise they made it to the Bahamas

 

[Colwyn D]

National flag or Ensign is flown as close to stern as practical. Courtesy flag, it's a courtesy not maritime law, is flown from starboard spreader. It may cause offense if not flown. This is also the position a Q flag is flown from until cleared.

 

[z28jimi]

I appreciate the feedback. I understand that the standard position is starboard spreader, but we're a CPMY with no spreaders, no mast. Pascal, based on your experience, would we be likely to piss off the Bahamian authorities if I flew them as described?

 

[Pascal]

As long as you fly it you ll be fine

it's easy to attach to an antenna too

 

[Colwyn D]

Just for info., we're at Big Majors Spot Exumas and of the 38 vessels anchored this morning, about 5 are not flying courtesy flags.
More importantly there are a couple of vessels who think an anchor light is not necessary, bloody dangerous for the locals and tenders moving about at night.

 

[z28jimi]

Thanks all. Hadn't thought of the antenna...good idea. Now to get all the health ducks lined up.

 

[Pascal]

That's always amazes me although there is quite a bit of reflectied light from anchored boats and fowl cay resort so they're easy to spot.

The worst I've seen are sailboats anchored on the bank between cat and NW channel with just one dim anchor light, right on the straight route. Sometimes you only pick the most up on radar

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Many of those sailors think that any LED light is enough to be considered an anchor light. Most do not meet the standard (I'm not even sure they use anything that is labeled as an anchor light). It is dangerous but without enforcement, nothing will change.

 

[RonNP]

I fly a Confederate States of America flag on my stern. It's not the battle flag but is the first flag of the CSA. When I'm away from the docks and the liberals who are "offended" I fly the Stars and Bars battle flag. The Mexican Navy hasn't given me any crap about the flags I'm flying.

 

[Scarlett]

In the pre led days a lot of sailing cruisers used a Davis light as an anchor light, which was a flashlight bulb with some circuitry to reduce its power draw then mounted in a plastic salt shaker, he'll you could't see those things from on board the boat. Ask me how I know. John

 

[WA2DDL]

More importantly there are a couple of vessels who think an anchor light is not necessary, bloody dangerous for the locals and tenders moving about at night.

...or blowboaters who have a dimly lit flashlight bulb for an anchor light, then brag the next morning about all the amps they saved.

 

[M&MArmenta]

On the American flag piece - this flag is flown from a staff on the stern when moored (at the dock) and from the mast, or spreader, etc. when underway (last line in). Not to offend anyone, but the current American flag should be flown; and if you are documented, shame if you are not flying the flag of the country you are documented in!

 

[Pascal]

Flying the flag from a mast or spreader only apply to sailing vessels. Not power vessels which will fly the flag from the stern whether moored or underway

 

[captainwjm]

I fly a Confederate States of America flag on my stern. It's not the battle flag but is the first flag of the CSA. When I'm away from the docks and the liberals who are "offended" I fly the Stars and Bars battle flag. The Mexican Navy hasn't given me any crap about the flags I'm flying.

I hope you never get into trouble and have to call on the Confederate Coast Guard.

 

[Byresch]

I fly a Confederate States of America flag on my stern. It's not the battle flag but is the first flag of the CSA. When I'm away from the docks and the liberals who are "offended" I fly the Stars and Bars battle flag. The Mexican Navy hasn't given me any crap about the flags I'm flying.

The following is from the US Flag code for flying the American Flag, fly the Confederate Flag somewhere else on your boat, maybe higher up so all those other liberals at Sun Harbor can see it. lol

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. While in port, if you leave your boat and will not return before sunset, lower and stow the national ensign before you go.
The national ensign worn by a vessel must be the flag of her registry—not necessarily that of the owner or operator.
Generally, the national ensign should be displayed at the peak of the gaff, i.e., the outer end of the spar extending aft from the mast of your boat—if you boat has a gaff. If it does not, fly it from the flagstaff at your boat's stern. If your boat has an overhanging boom or an outboard motor, your flagstaff may be offset to starboard (preferably) from your boat's centerline.
On a sportfishing boat, where a stern staff might interfere with the gear, and vice versa, the practice is to fly the ensign from a halyard rigged amidships on the after part of the superstructure.
Marconi-rigged sailboats may fly the ensign from the leech of the aftermost sail (or from the back stay), approximately 2/3 the distance up its length. This puts it in about the same position it would occupy if the boat were gaff-rigged.
At anchor or made fast, the ensign should be flown from the stern staff of all boats. The U.S. national ensign has a 10:19 hoist/fly ratio.