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Rules for Boat Flags

Citing nautical traditions more than 300 years old, in 1998 the United States Power Squadrons (the world's largest boating educational organization) published a flag code for recreational boats.

  1. Function

    • The purpose of a flag on a seafaring vessel is to identify the nation in which the boat is registered. Secondary flags identify the boat club to which the owner belongs and signify the presence of a naval officer or foreign visitor on-board.

    The Proper Flag

    • A boat should fly the flag of the country in which it is registered--known in seafaring parlance as the national ensign--not the flag of its owner's or captain's nationality. For example, a boat registered in the U.S., but piloted by a French captain, should fly the American flag.

    Timeframe

    • The flag is flown from 8 a.m. until sunset. Outside of this time period, the flag should be lowered and stowed.

    Location

    • Typically, the flag is flown from the top of the gaff, the highest point of the boat's mast. If a boat does not have a mast, the flag is flown from a short staff attached to the ship's stern.

    Private Flag

    • Many boat owners design their own personal flags and fly them from the bow.

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