The flag of this country is always flown above all the other flags.

Merchant ship flag etiquette. This has developed a protocol for ships flags which in turn provides a precedence for yachts. All British ships including yachts are entitled to wear the Red Ensign under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The correct and only flag that should be flown from the stern or the gaff on Australian vessels is the Australian National Flag blue or the Australian Red Ensign.

And these cannot be mixed indiscriminately. Maybe youve wondered why some ships fly their flags on the stern. Order of hoists is not something people usually pay attention to but again there is etiquette here too.

These are known as the red white and blue ensigns respectively. When a merchant ship and a warship of any nationality pass or overtake one another the merchant ship should dip the flag as a gesture of courtesy. Likewise the nationality of an important guest on board is displayed this way.

More than one house flag may be flown on the port halyard but make sure they are flown in order of seniority. UN Conventions for Maritime Flags. A UK ship must fly an Ensign in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act.

When a merchant ship passes a warship etiquette requires the merchant ship to dip their ensigns in a salute normally a nations flag is never dipped to anyone. Her Country The Ensign 2. Flag and ensign are synonymous.

This guide to nautical and Maritime Flags contains the following information. The Courtesy Flag. The presence of foreign military officers and officials onboard US.