Courtesy flag

[Aden]

I received a Bahamas courtesy flag which is a country national flag but not the same shown on the guide book. Country flag at the top left corner with Red ensign background.

Is it still fine to hoist the regular country flag? Will I get into the trouble?

[StuM]

As a matter of courtesy, you should fly the courtesy flag once you have cleared in and lowered your yellow Q flag.

Whether you get into trouble depends on how fussy the officials are, but in some countries, you can get into quite a bit of strife if you don't follow the customs.

Th RYA sums it up:

"Although a custom rather than a legal requirement, most countries expect that a courtesy flag (a small version of the coastal state’s ensign) should be hoist by foreign flagged vessels as a signal, acknowledging that they are in foreign territorial waters. You may come unstuck in some countries if your courtesy flag is tatty, too small or not there at all. In some instances – such as the UK – the maritime ensign is not identical to the national flag. "

[GordMay]