Ensigns

Ensigns, also called burgees, flags or pennants traditionally are used for identifying a vessel, signaling, identifying organizations or clubs to which the owner belongs, identifying the country of origin of the vessel,  state of origin of the vessel, owner aboard, owner absent, diver down, and many 'just for fun' ensigns.

While there are no laws, at least in the U.S. that we are aware of, there are customs, protocols, and in some cases, just plain manners which prescribe or proscribe when and where to fly each ensign. Below each category of flags, we cover the customs and protocols in displaying these flags on your boat.
United States - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Yacht Ensign - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
As a general rule, the size of the long dimension of the National ensign is approximately 1" for every foot of boat length.  In other words, if you have a forty foot boat, your national ensign, flown from the stern, should be approximately forty inches in length. Round up to the next commercially available size.

On Memorial day, the national ensign is properly flown at half-staff until noon.  Flying a flag at half-staff traditionally involves raising to full height and then ceremoniously lowering to half staff.  At sundown, the flag is first raised to full height again before lowering it .

Flying your national ensign upsidedown is a universal distress signal.  So be very careful you don't fly it upsidedown in error.
Your State flag, if flown, is generally flown from the main mast on a sailboat.  On a mastless power boat, it is flown from the bow staff.
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Colorado
Connecticut - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Delaware - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
District of Columbia
Florida - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Georgia - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Hawaii
Idaho - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Idaho
Illinois - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Illinois
Indiana - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Indiana
Iowa - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Iowa
Kansas - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Kansas
Kentucky - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Kentucky
Louisiana - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Louisiana
Maine - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Maryland - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Massachusetts
Michigan - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Minnesota - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Mississippi
Missouri - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Missouri
Montana - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Montana
Nebraska - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Nebraska
Nevada - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Nevada
New Hampshire - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
New Hampshire
New Jersey - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
New Jersey
New Mexico - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
New York - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
North Carolina
North Dakota - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
North Dakota
Ohio - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Ohio
Oklahoma - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Oregon - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Rhode Island
South Carolina - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
South Dakota - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Tennessee
Texas - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Texas
Utah - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Utah
Vermont - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Vermont
Virginia - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Virginia
Washington - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Washington
West Virginia - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
West Virginia
Wisconsin - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Wyoming - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats

International Signal Flags

A - Alpha signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
A - Alpha
Diver Down*
Bravo signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
B - Bravo
Dangerous Cargo
Charlie signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
C - Charlie
Yes
Delta signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
D - Delta
Keep Clear
Echo signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
E -  Echo
Altering course to Starboard
Foxtrot signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
F - Foxtrot
Disabled
Golf signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
G - Golf
Want a pilot
Hotel signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
H - Hotel
Pilot on Board
I - India signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
I - India
Altering Course to Port
J - Juliett signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
J - Juliett
On Fire - Keep Clear
K - Kilo signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
K - Kilo
Desire to Communicate
L - Lima signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
L - Lima
Stop Instantly
M - Mike signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
M - Mike
I am stopped*
N - November signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
N - November
No
O - Oscar signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
O - Oscar
Man Overboard
P - Papa signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
P - Papa
About to sail - (a.k.a. the Blue Peter)
Q - Quebec signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Q - Quebec
Request Practique*
R - Romeo signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
R - Romeo
The way is off my ship
S - Sierra signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
S - Sierra
Engines Going Astern
T - Tango signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
T - Tango
Keep Clear of me
U - Uniform signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
U - Uniform
Standing into Danger
V - Victor signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
V - Victor
Require Assistance
W - Whiskey signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
W - Whiskey
Require Medical Assistance
X - X-ray signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
X - X-ray
Stop your Intention
Y - Yankee signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Y - Yankee
Am Dragging Anchor
Z - Zulu signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Z - Zulu
Require a Tug
* A- Alpha - Diver down is displayed on the boat which has a diver down.  In the water, on a float, a different flag is flown - see here.
*  M - Mike - Also (not officially, but common) means 'Doctor on Board'
* Q - Quebec - Request Practique - a.k.a. Quarantine Flag is used in foreign ports before clearing in to customs. It is flown from the starboard spreader on boats with masts or from the bow of a boat which has no mast.   After clearing, the Q  flag comes down and the nation's flag you are visiting is flown.
Nine signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
One signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Two signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Four signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Five signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
signal flag answering pennant - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Six signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Seven signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Eight signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Zero signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Storm Signal Flags - Small Craft Warning
Storm Signal Flags - Gale Warning
Storm Signal Flags - Storm Warning
Storm Signal Flags - Hurricane Warning

Weather Warning Signals


While the National Weather Service no longer uses these Weather Warning Flags, you still may see them here and there.   (see Beaufort Scale)

Small Craft Warning


Winds to 38 MPH (~33 knots) and / or sea conditions dangerous to small craft are forecast. 

Gale Warning


Winds 39 to 54 MPH (~34 to 47 Knots) and seas are forecast.

Storm Warning


Winds above 55 MPH ~(48 knots) are forecast. 

Hurricane Warning


Winds above 74 MPH (~64 knots) are forecast.

Traveling to a Foreign Country


If you are planning to travel to a foreign country, there are several things of which you should be aware.

1.  The flag you fly from your stern should be the American Flag, not the Yacht Ensign or the U.S. Power Squadron ensign which are all permissible in the U.S.

2.  Once you enter foreign waters, the "Q" flag (see above) should be flown from your starboard mainmast's spreader if your vessel has masts, otherwise it must be flown from the bow. 

3. The "Q" flag will be flown until you have cleared customs.  It is usually required that upon entering a foreign country  no passenger shall leave the boat until all have been cleared in.  The protocol  is that the vessel will dock and the Captain, and only the Captain, will take all the papers necessary (including ships documentation / registration; all passenger's and crew's passports; evidence of all shots of any pets which may be on board).  Please consult the cruising guide for the country you intend to enter for more complete instructions.

4.  Once the vessel and passengers have been cleared in, the 'Q' flag shall be lowered and replaced with the local nation's flag.   If is probably not good manners to fly flags other than your national flag and the local country's national flag.  This is especially true for novelty flags such as "Jolly Rogers"  or the First Mate's panties.

5.  When you have returned to your own nation's waters, do not fly the foreign nation's flag, even to show that you've been there.  It is okay to fly the First Mate's panties, unless, of course, she is wearing them.

International Flags


Below are depicted many of the flags of countries you may want to visit.  When you arrive, and after you clear in through customs, you will lower the 'Q' flag and raise need their flag to fly from your mainmast's starboard spreader or, having no mast, the bow.  You will continue to fly their flag as long as you are in that country's waters.  We know you may be proud of the fact that you have sailed to a foreign country, but you should not fly a foreign flag once you have left that country's waters.   
Occasionally, you will see sailboats, particularly more traditionally rigged schooners, adorned with burgees from the waterline at the bow up the stays to the masts and back down to the stern and to the waterline.  The Yacht Ensign is flown from the stern staff and the U.S. Union Jack may be displayed at the bow staff.  The order of the flags is arbitrary but a pleasing color arrangement may be as follows:
AB2,UJ1, KE3, GH6, IV5, FL4, DM7, PO Third Repeater, RN First Repeater, ST Zero, CX9, WQ8, ZY Second Repeater.

This is known as "Dressing Ship."  It is done only with the International Code Flags shown above. 

The tradition holds that, except for the maiden or final voyage, a vessel is dressed only at anchor from  eight A.M. until sunset.
U.S. Power Squadron Ensign - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
 
Jump to:
State Flags
Signal Flags
International Flags
Weather Flags
Dressing Ship
Diver Flags
Fun Flags
Pirate Flags
 
 
First Repeater signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
First Repeater
Second Repeater signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Second Repeater
Third Repeater signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Third Repeater
Fourth Repeater signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Fourth Repeater
Code and Answering Pennant
(Decimal Point)
Decimal Point signal flag - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats

Two Letter Signals


Certain combinations of Signal Flags have specific meanings
AC   -  I am abandoning my vessel
AN   -  I need a doctor
BR   -  I require a helicopter
CD   -  I require immediate assistance
DV   -  I am drifting
EF    - SOS/MAYDAY has been canceled
FA    - Will you give me my position?
GW  - Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up.
JL    - You are running the risk of going aground
LO    - I am not in my correct position: used by a light vessel
NC    - I am in distress and require immediate assistance.
PD    - Your navigation lights are not visible
PP    - Keep well clear of me
QD    - I am going ahead
QT    - I am going astern
QQ   - I require health clearance
QU   - Anchoring is prohibited
QX   - I request permission to anchor
RU   - Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty
SO   - You should stop your vessel instantly
UM   - The Harbor is closed to traffic
UP    - Permission to enter Harbor is urgently requested. I have an emergency
YU    - I am going to communicate with your station by means of the International Code of Signals
ZD1  - Please report me to the Coast Guard, New York
ZD2  - Please report me to Lloyds, London
ZL    - Your signal has been received but not understood
 

Dressing Ship

 
 

Diver Down Flags

In addition to the Alpha Flag, usually flown on the diver boat, indicating there is a diver in the water, there is also a Diver Down Flag placed on a tethered float in the water near where the divers are swimming.   If you see either of these flags give them a very wide berth.  It could be me.
Diver Down Flag
Diver Down
Diver Down Flag
(usually flown on float near diver location)
Alpha Flag
(flown on the divers' vessel)
 

Fun Flags

Jolly Roger
Novelty Flags, or Fun Flags have no official protocol that we can find. We wouldn't fly them in foreign waters.  There are many, and there are sites where you can have custom flags made, just for your yacht, or Yacht Club or Boating Organization.
 

Rules? Regulations? Customs?

Your State Flag

Antigua and Barbados - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Antigua and Barbados
Barbados - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Barbados
Anguilla
Anguilla
Bahamas - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Bahamas
Belize - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Belize
Bermuda - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Bermuda
Brittish VI - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Brittish Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Cayman Islands
Costa Rica - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Costa Rica
Cuba - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Cuba
Curacao - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Curacao
Domenica - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Domenica
Domenican Republic - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Domenican Republic
El Slavador - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
El Salvador
Grenada - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Grenada
Guatemala - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Guatemala
Guyana - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Guyana
Haiti - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Haiti
Honduras - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Honduras
Jamaica - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Jamaica
Mexico - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Mexico
Montserrat - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Montserrat
Netherland Antilles - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Nicaragua - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Nicaragua
Netherland Antilles
Panama - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Puerto Rico - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Panama
St. Lucia - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Puerto Rico
Saint Lucia
St. Kitts and Nevis - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
St. Kitts
St. Vincent - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
St. Vincent
Trinidad - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Trinidad
Turks Caicos - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Turks and Caicos
U.S. Union Jack - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
U.S. Flag
U.S. Yacht Ensign
Your nation's flag is flown at the stern of your vessel on a flagpole, or 2/3 way up the leech of your aftermost sail.  Or a sailboat may fly the national ensign 2/3 the way up the backstay if the backstay is on center.  The U.S. Yacht Ensign may be flown as the U.S. Flag in the U.S.
If the Captain of a vessel is a member of the United States Power Squadron, the U.S. Power Squadron ensign may be flown as the U.S. Flag in the U.S.
The U.S. Union Jack is traditionally flown only when not underway at the stern of yachts with more than one mast, and only on Sundays, holidays, or when dressing ship.
Alabama - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Alabama
Alaska - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Arizona - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
California - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Arkansas - protocols and customs in displaying flags on boats
Conch Republic
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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Funnel cloud forming - Weather Warning Signal Flags
Canada - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Argentina - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Argentina
Aruba - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Bolivia - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Bonaire - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Chile - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Aruba
Bolivia
Bonaire
Chile
Colombia - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Equador - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Falklands - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Peru - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Paraguay - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Paraguay
Peru
Falklands
Equador
Colombia
Surinam - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Uraguay - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Venezuela - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Surinam
Uraguay
Venezuela
Brittain - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
England - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
France - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Germany - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Brittain
England
France
Germany
Greece - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Greenland - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Iceland - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Ireland - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Greece
Greenland
Iceland
Ireland
Italy - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Portugal - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Scotland - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Spain - Courtesy flags for boats traveling in foreign waters
Italy
Portugal
Scotland
Spain
Canada
Novelty Flags
Novelty Flags
U.S. Power Squadron ensign
U.S. Union Jack
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Conch Republic (Key West)
Generic Pirate Flag
Happy Hour
Happy Hour
The Frugal Mariner recommends American Flag.com

Pirate Flags

Many colorful but dreadful pirates in history flew their own flags designed to strike fear in the hearts of their prey.  You may find the history of some of history's pirates at  Jolly Roger Pirate History.  It makes for some interesting reading.  Some fly these flags for the fun of it, but use caution, there are a few out there who have no sense of humor and view the flying of these flags as glorifying bloody criminals.  Personally, we at Frugal Mariner, given the fact that they are all dead and have been for centuries, don't see the harm.
Edward Teach (Blackbeard)
Stede Bonnet
Edward England, Black Sam Bellamy & Richard Worley
Edward Low
Calico Jack Rackham
 
Emanuel Wayne
Bartholomew Roberts
Thomas Tew
Christopher Moody
Henry Every
Walter Kennedy
Bartholomew Roberts (#2)
Notice:
    While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, we can not be held responsible for any mishaps which may occur as a result of your using information found in this website without verification through other, more authoritative sources such as the U.S. Coast Guard. 
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