B&G | Flying flags on a modern yacht - Tom Cunliffe | Tales From The Helm

One of the oldest traditions in navigation and early exploration is identifying who you are and where you're from.
Checking in again one last time this year is sailing legend Tom Cunliffe, taking us through the customary behaviours of flying flags on a modern yacht, paying respect to your region of destination and even how to save yourself some money!
Tom will be back next year, tell us in the comments what you would like him to cover!
Please comment if you have any questions or suggestions!
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[@daniellongo2912]

Thanks! Another great video. I am appreciative.

[@chriscaarnold]

Currently on a 67m ketch and have had 10+ years working on Superyachts. He watch keepers pust the flag up
At 8:00 and down at 17:00 or sunset. I had wondered whats was behind it.

[@msf60khz]

My old book on flag etiquette says that, when at sea, to wear the ensign at the peak, or with a Bermudan sail, about two thirds up the leech.

[@mikew3194]

Replacing it so quickly isn't my style. But I wouldn't expect a brit to understand old glory

[@wilfdarr]

Do we bring in our courtesy ensign?
"when in foreign ports, according to local regulations"
Some countries don't care, some do, and some get rather fussy about it (usually the less powerful the nation, the fussier they get😉): it's always best to clarify when you check in with the authorities, before you lower the Q flag.

[@ratusbagus]

That was a lovely vid Tom.
But I'm afraid that there is much of our metropolia that doesn't agree that we should remember who we are and where we came from.

[@RichieKeane]

Tom whats your view on where to register? UK vat paid Cert, no country of reg, allegedly free to Flag where I wish.. what would you advise? Isle of Man? Want to Register in home town Ireland but afraid of tax and issues? Boat will be in UK for next 18-24mons

[@roberthorsford4266]

Hi Tom, we have exactly the same motivation to manage our colours as they should be. My “Robert” was Commander Robert Avis (RNVR RIN) who was also punctilious about flag etiquette. Did you know Robert Avis? He died far too young sadly. We manage our colours in his remembrance.

[@Nixontheman]

Tradition matters.

[@basilealoy9033]

What if you're sailing in Corsica. Obviously you should raise the French Flag on the starboard side. But what about the Corsican flag? Do you raise it on the starboard side below the French Flag or on the Port side?

[@sailawayteam]

Had this situation in Gotland, we decided to fly their flag below the Swedish, on the starboard side. No one complained 😊. I guess on the port side the flag indicates that you have such nationalities on board.

[@warrenhunt5556]

G'day Tom,
Is the the courtesy flag of the country you are visiting, their national or their civilian ensign flag, that should be flown. I know a jack is flown at the bow of a boat or ship and the ensign is at the stern. Thank you for all your books and vids I have have and read and watched, that has made me a much wiser mariner.

[@wilfdarr]

Courtesy flags are flown off the starboard spreader. Personal ensigns are flown from the port spreader. Canada does not have a civilian ensign so we fly our national flag from the stern or from the gaff peak with nothing on the bow. On a Bermuda rig, at least in Canada, it's also OK to fly the national flag about where the gaff peak would be (and where the top sail clew would be: a gaff rig flying a top sail isn't so different in shape from a Bermuda rig) on a gaff rig.
As for the military, from the early 1990s to 2013 the ensign was our national flag and the Jack was the Canadian Naval Jack; since 2013 the Jack is now our national flag and the Ensign is the Canadian Naval Ensign: same flags just swapped front and back, so now our national flag is flown from the bow and the naval flag is flown at the back (I don't agree with this practice, but I just live here)! As such you will see pictures of Canadian Naval ships doing it both ways, depending on when the ship was photographed.