Maritime English and signals · Level R2 · 2 parts · about 4 min
Maritime ceremonial: the national flag, courtesy flag and salutes
2 short parts: National flag · Flag etiquette. Each part explains the idea, then gives the points to remember, the common mistakes, a worked case and a practice question; the Academy unit adds all 11 check questions.
1 · National flag
The national flag on a Portuguese recreational boat: what the law requires
Boats registered in Portugal fly the national flag. Types 1 to 3 must show it entering and leaving port and when meeting a warship.
The rule
Article 14 of DL 93/2018 says that recreational boats (ER) registered in Portugal fly the national flag. The flag shows the nationality of the boat, and the law of that flag applies on board.
When it is compulsory
Boats of types 1, 2 and 3 must fly the national flag when entering or leaving any port, national or foreign. On a voyage they must also fly it when crossing a warship or a vessel serving the security forces of any nationality. In a regatta they are exempt.
Other flags
An owner's private flag, a club pennant (galhardete) or any other flag may only be hoisted while the national flag is flying too, except in a regatta. Breaking the rules of article 14 is an offence under the same decree-law.
Where it flies
By tradition the national flag flies at the stern, on a flagstaff, or from the backstay or gaff on a sailing boat. That is the place of honour. Keep it clean and whole: a faded or torn flag is a poor sign of seamanship.
Key figures
- Law
- DL 93/2018, art. 14 (uso da bandeira nacional)
- Compulsory for
- Types 1–3: entering/leaving port, crossing a warship
- Exemption
- Regattas
- Other flags
- Only while the national flag is also flying
- Place of honour
- The stern (by tradition)
Remember
- Boats registered in Portugal fly the national flag (DL 93/2018 art. 14).
- Types 1–3 must show it entering or leaving port and when crossing a warship or security-force vessel.
- Club pennants and private flags only while the national flag flies, except in regattas.
- The national flag goes at the stern, the place of honour.
Common mistakes
Wrong: I can fly my club pennant on its own and leave the national flag stowed.
Right: Club pennants and private flags may only fly while the national flag is also hoisted, except in a regatta.
Wrong: In a regatta the national flag rules still apply.
Right: Boats racing are exempt from the compulsory cases in article 14.
Worked case
You take a type 3 boat out of Cascais marina, cruise along the coast and cross a Portuguese Navy patrol vessel. A friend wants to fly only the yacht club pennant, because it looks better. What does the law require?
Show the answer
A type 3 boat must fly the national flag when leaving port and, on a voyage, when crossing a warship, so it must be up when you leave Cascais and when you cross the patrol vessel. The club pennant may fly as well, but only while the national flag is also flying. Fly the national flag at the stern.
Practice question
Which law sets the use of the national flag on Portuguese recreational boats?
- Portaria 288/2000
- DL 93/2018, article 14
- The COLREG
- The International Code of Signals
Show the answer
Answer: B. Article 14 of DL 93/2018, the recreational boating regime, covers the use of the national flag.
2 · Flag etiquette
Courtesy flag, flag times, salutes and mourning: the customs of the sea
In foreign waters fly the host country's courtesy flag. Salute a warship by dipping your ensign. These are customs, not laws, but examiners expect them.
Custom, not law
Beyond article 14, flag etiquette rests on long-standing customs of the sea, the cerimonial marítimo the course asks you to know in outline. Navies follow them strictly; on a recreational boat they show respect and seamanship.
Courtesy flag
In another country's waters, fly that country's flag, the courtesy flag (bandeira de cortesia), under the starboard spreader or on a starboard halyard. Keep it in good condition and no larger than your own national flag. A foreign boat visiting Portugal flies the Portuguese flag in the same way.
Times and salutes
In harbour or at anchor, the custom is to hoist the national flag in the morning, at 08:00, and lower it at sunset. To salute a warship, dip your national flag, lower it about a third and hold it until the warship answers by dipping hers, then hoist it again. Warships do not salute first.
Mourning
To fly a flag at half-mast, first hoist it to the top, then lower it to half-height. To take it down, raise it to the top again before lowering it fully. Do it when the authorities announce national mourning or as a sign of grief on board.
Key figures
- Courtesy flag
- Host country's flag under the starboard spreader
- In harbour
- Hoist at 08:00, lower at sunset (custom)
- Salute
- Dip the national flag; the warship answers
- Half-mast
- Hoist to the top, then lower to half
Remember
- Courtesy flag of the host country under the starboard spreader.
- In harbour: national flag up at 08:00, down at sunset.
- Salute a warship by dipping your ensign and waiting for her reply.
- Half-mast: always via the top, going up and coming down.
Common mistakes
Wrong: The courtesy flag goes under the port spreader.
Right: It flies under the starboard spreader, the side of honour.
Wrong: Hoist a flag straight to half-mast.
Right: Hoist it to the top first, then lower it to half-mast; raise it to the top again before lowering.
Wrong: The warship salutes first and you answer.
Right: The recreational boat dips its ensign first; the warship answers.
Worked case
You sail from Viana do Castelo to Baiona, in Spain, and anchor there. The next morning a Spanish Navy ship passes close by. Which flags do you fly, where, and how do you salute the ship?
Show the answer
At the stern, the Portuguese national flag. Under the starboard spreader, the Spanish courtesy flag, clean and in good condition. In harbour, hoist the national flag at 08:00. To salute the navy ship, dip your national flag about a third and hold it until she answers, then hoist it again.
Practice question
Where does a Portuguese boat fly the Spanish courtesy flag in Spanish waters?
- At the stern, in place of the national flag
- Under the starboard spreader
- Under the port spreader, below the club pennant
- At the bow, on the pulpit flagstaff
Show the answer
Answer: B. The courtesy flag flies under the starboard spreader; the national flag stays at the stern.