Courtesy flags

Courtesy flag — courtesy in a foreign port

In the Courtesy Flags product group, you will find international courtesy flags (20x30 cm) for numerous countries, such as Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Hungary, and more distant destinations such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Haiti. According to maritime traditions and international practice, a boat must hoist the courtesy flag on the starboard crossbar or a separate courtesy flagpole when entering the territorial waters or port of a foreign country — this is not only a polite gesture, but also an expected practice in many places, and failure to do so can be interpreted as impoliteness in the eyes of the locals.

The majority of the flags in the selection are Talamex-branded and made of outdoor-resistant polyester fabric that can withstand the sun's UV radiation and salt water without fading or tearing quickly, even during a long sailing season. It is worth purchasing a flag in advance before traveling to each destination you plan to visit — in many ports, having the wrong or missing courtesy flags is considered rude, even if it usually does not result in an official fine, and the situation can feel awkward on site without prior preparation.

The right size of flag depends on the size of the boat: a flag that is too small will not stand out enough, while an oversized flag may look out of place on a smaller boat. 20x30 cm is a common standard size for medium-sized boats, which is also visible from a distance when arriving at the port.

For longer multi-country cruises, it is a good idea to purchase a selection of flags covering the entire route in advance at home, as the right courtesy flags is not always easy to find in a foreign port or at a boat supply store along the way. Store the flags in a dry and well-ventilated place between uses to prevent them from getting moldy or fading unnecessarily.

Some foreign flagging practices vary by country — in some destinations, it is customary to fly the foreign country's flag even on the way home from the port of departure until territorial waters have been passed, so it is worth checking the destination country's own maritime traditions in advance if you want to follow the customs as closely as possible.

It is a good idea to keep your courtesy flags easily accessible, for example in your own bag near the flagpole, so that you can quickly find the right flags when you arrive at a new destination — in a hurry, hoisting the wrong flag or taking the time to look for it can be embarrassing for other boaters. Get your flags well in advance of your trip, as not all rarer destination countries are always in stock and ready to ship. This way, you will always be ready when you arrive at a new port without any last-minute rush.

Fast delivery

For products in stock, 1-3 workingdays. For ordering products, 2-7 days.

Customer service

010 548 5605 (days 9-18) asiakaspalvelu@marinekauppa.com

14-day right of return

Products have a 14-day free return right. All products have a minimum 6 month warranty.

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Our customer service is available on weekdays 9-17.
email: asiakaspalvelu@marinekauppa.com

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Courtesy flags group products

Åland Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Åland Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Haiti Courtesy Flag 20x30 cm

Haiti Courtesy Flag 20x30 cm

Signal Flag Set 14x18cm, 11m

Signal Flag Set 14x18cm, 11m

Signal Flag Set 30x24cm, 22-24m

Signal Flag Set 30x24cm, 22-24m

Signal Flag Set 45x36cm, 27-29m

Signal Flag Set 45x36cm, 27-29m

SIgnal Flag Set 60x48cm, 33-35m

SIgnal Flag Set 60x48cm, 33-35m

International Flag Belgium, 20x30cm

International Flag Belgium, 20x30cm

International Flag Spain, 20x30cm

International Flag Spain, 20x30cm

International Flag Netherlands, 20x30cm

International Flag Netherlands, 20x30cm

International Flag Poland, 20x30cm

International Flag Poland, 20x30cm

Greece Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Greece Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Croatia Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Croatia Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Cuba Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Cuba Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Lithuania Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Lithuania Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Portugal Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Portugal Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Puerto Rico Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Puerto Rico Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Germany Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Germany Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Slovakia Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Slovakia Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Switzerland Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Switzerland Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Denmark Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

Denmark Courtesy Flag 20x30cm

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Courtesy flag — courtesy in a foreign port

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