The flag of a country often has appeared on a ship before it actually has flown from a mast or pole outside the government building it represents. Boat flags have a longer history than those on land. Naval and merchant ships have flown flags for their country and many others over the centuries since individuals took off to sail the fabled seven seas.
The Purpose of Naval Flags
Naval flags are an important part of life at sea. As such, a series of specific rules and flag etiquette has evolved. They serve many different purposes. The major roles boat flags vary and consist of the following:
- Identification of the country from which the ship sails (and is, theoretically registered
- Flag denoting the owner of the company Navigational flags
- Signal flags
- Status assigned to the ship
In other words, a vessel at sea flies flags to denote to the nationality of the ship, their assigned status and to conform to the current the international rules and regulations.
Types of Flags for Merchant and Other Ships
The purpose of the ship finds specific expression in the flag it flies. As a result, anyone who knows anything about merchant and other boat flags can discover at lot about the vessel simply by looking at the flags. The basic naval flags consist of:
- Ensigns (nationality)
- Jacks (signaling and distinction)
- House flags (Owner or company
- Signal flags
- Rank flags
The use of these flags is culturally and/or legally regulated. When a boat of any type is at sea, certain flag etiquette or rules apply
Boat Flags: Etiquette at Sea
Flag etiquette can be quite precise and applied generally in certain instances. For example, the rule of thumb regarding the flying of flags states they all pertinent flags must be raised by no later than 8 in the morning. This is applicable whether the vessel is currently docked or at sea. According to rules for the United States, the flags must go up in this specific order if at sea:
- Ensign – stern
- Jack – bow
- House flag – mainmast the position will differ if the ship is leaving port
The flags for all nationality of ships must also be raised to a specific height and position. The height of the ensign is the greatest while a pennant must fly above the height of a house flag.
Etiquette governs boats arriving at a port harbor as well as when a ship meets other ships. The ensign of ship must be hoisted prior to entering the port. When a merchant or private ship passes by a warship, the merchant ship, in a sign of respect, must lower that same ensign. In return, the warship also lowers it flag.
Naval or boat flags are remnants of centuries-old practices. As is common to such traditions, there exists certain customs and etiquette. Some of it has become formalized into law. If nothing else, it keeps things civilized at sea and in port.
