Boat Flags – and How to Fly Them

There are many different types of maritime flags. The four flags, mostly used on a sailing boat are the following ones:

Ensign (the national flag – of the boat, not the owner).
You fly it from sunrise to sunset, usually from stern. Except when racing.  Note: The European Flag does not refer to a nation, it should not be used.

Burgee (often a triangular shape)
Represents the yacht club flag, usually flown from the starboard rigging, most appropriate below all national flags.

Courtesy Flag
When sailing to a foreign port it is a nice gesture to fly the flag of the country you are visiting. You should do this only after the yacht is cleared by custom and immigration. Before registration, the yellow Q-Flag should be flown.

Private Signal
This can be many things. For instances the national flag of the crew, or the national flag of an important person on the boat. Usually it is flown at the starboard spreader, under the courtesy flag.

Remember: The ensign and courtesy flag refers to the boat, the burgee and private signal refer to the skipper.

Flags are also flown to communicate issues regarding saftey and navigation. Those signal flags were published first in 1857 and modernised in 1932. For more information follow the link below «International Code Signals»

Direct links for more information on Wikipedia:

International Martime Signals
International Code Signals
Racing Signal Sailing