The warship will dip their flag in acknowledgment.

Merchant ship flag etiquette. When the ship reaches the destination country the ensign flag of that country is flown from the yardarm of the ship. A UK ship must fly an Ensign in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act. If on a staff the lowest corner of the flag should be brought to the level of the rail and kept there until the salutation is acknowledged by the naval vessel.

These are known as the red white and blue ensigns respectively. UN Conventions for Maritime Flags. Order of hoists is not something people usually pay attention to but again there is etiquette here too.

This flag is also termed as the courtesy flag. Likewise the nationality of an important guest on board is displayed this way. Which means at all times and especially when entering and leaving port.

More than one house flag may be flown on the port halyard but make sure they are flown in order of seniority. The ensign should be hoisted at 8 am and lowered at 9 pm or sunset whichever is earlier every day when the ship is in harbor. Burgee vs Ensign vs Jack.

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. Besides plain red white and blue. If the crews nationality differs from that of the yacht the crews national flag can be flown under the courtesy flag at the starboard spreader.

All British ships including yachts are entitled to wear the Red Ensign under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Nautical Flag Etiquette Entering a Foreign Port. Generally speaking a national flag flown from a vessel should be flown from 800am to sunset or as the harbours rules dictate.