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• Sailboat Flag Etiquette

Sailboat Flag Etiquette: What You Need to Know

Sailboat flag etiquette is steeped in maritime tradition and enshrined in law. If you're new to the world of sailing, you may have wondered about the various flags that you see flying on other sailboats or that you are expected to fly on your own. What do they mean? How should they be displayed? What are the rules and traditions that govern them?

An experienced sailboat skipper will know that flag etiquette is a way of showing respect, courtesy and recognition to other vessels, countries and organizations.

It also helps you communicate important information, such as your nationality, your club affiliation, your intentions or your distress.

For the less experienced we'll explain the basics of sailboat flag etiquette and how it should be applied in practice:

• The types of flags that you can fly on your boat;
• The sizes and positions of the flags;
• The occasions and situations when you should fly certain flags;
• The common mistakes and pitfalls to avoid when flying flags.

The skipper of the Bowman 57 staysail ketch shown here is correctly flying a burgee (the Flying Fish burgee of the Ocean Cruising Club ) from the port spreader, and a courtesy ensign (of Spain in this case) from the starboard spreader.

The ensign, in this case that of the Republic of Ireland, is flown from a flag halyard from the mizzen mast to the end of the mizzon boom. Alternatively the ensign could be flown from a staff attached to the taffrail.

The Types of Flags

There are many types of flags that you can fly on your boat, but the most common ones are:

• The ensign: This is the flag that shows the country of registry of your boat and indicates its nationality. It is usually flown at the stern of the boat, as close as possible to the waterline. It is the most senior position for a flag on a boat and it should always be larger than any other flag. A UK flagged boat (sail or power) must wear the national maritime flag, the Red Ensign, unless entitled to wear a special ensign.

• The burgee: This is the flag that shows the yacht club or association that you belong to. It is usually flown at the main masthead of the boat above any other flag, but can be flown from the port spreader unless otherwise stipulated under a special warrant. 
• The courtesy flag: This is the flag that shows the national flag of the country that you are visiting or whose waters you are sailing in. It is a sign of respect and goodwill to the host country and it should be flown at the starboard spreader. It should be hoisted as soon as you enter foreign waters and lowered as soon as you leave them.
• The Q flag: This is a yellow flag that indicates that you are requesting clearance from the local authorities when entering a foreign port. It is also flown at the starboard spreader of the boat, below the courtesy flag if there is one. It should be hoisted before you enter the port and lowered after you have been cleared.
• The signal flags: These are flags that have specific meanings in the International Code of Signals. They can be used to spell out messages or to convey information such as your position, your course, your speed, your intentions or your distress. They can be flown individually or in combinations at various locations on the boat.
• The private signal: This is a personal or family flag that has no official meaning or recognition. It can be flown at the port spreader of the boat, below any other flag. It is optional and purely decorative.

The Sizes and Positions of the Flags

The sizes and positions of the flags on your boat are important for both aesthetic and practical reasons. They should be proportionate to your boat size, visible from a distance and clear from any obstruction.

The general rules for sizing and positioning flags are:

• The ensign should be one inch on the fly (the length) for every foot of overall length of your boat. It should be flown on the stern staff or on a gaff if there is one.

• The burgee should be half an inch on the fly for every foot of overall length of your sailboat or five-eighths of an inch for every foot of overall length of your powerboat. It should be flown at the main masthead or on a pigstick (a vertical extension) if there is one.
• The courtesy flag should be the same size as the burgee or slightly smaller. It should be flown at the starboard spreader, preferably on its own halyard.
• The Q flag should be the same size as the courtesy flag or slightly smaller. It should be flown at the starboard spreader, below the courtesy flag if there is one, on its own halyard.
• The signal flags should be sized according to their function and meaning. They can be flown individually or in combinations at various locations on the boat, such as the masthead, the yardarm, the bow or the stern of the boat.
• The private signal should be the same size as the burgee or slightly smaller. It should be flown at the port spreader, below any other flag, on its own halyard.

The Occasions and Situations When You Should Fly Certain Flags

The occasions and situations when you should fly certain flags on your boat depend on where you are, what you are doing and who you are with. Some flags are mandatory, some are optional and some are forbidden.

The general rules for flying flags are:

• You must fly your ensign at all times in daylight, especially when near to or in sight of land or another boat. You must also fly your ensign when entering or leaving a foreign port and on demand. You can fly your ensign at night if you wish, but it is not required.
• You can fly your burgee at any time, but it is customary to hoist it at 0800 and lower it at sunset. You can also fly your burgee at night if you wish, but it is not required.
• You must fly the courtesy flag of the country that you are visiting or whose waters you are sailing in as soon as you enter their jurisdiction and until you leave it. You must also fly the Q flag when entering a foreign port until you have been cleared by the local authorities. You can lower the Q flag after you have been cleared, but you should keep the courtesy flag until you leave the port or the country.
• You can fly signal flags whenever you need to communicate with other boats or shore stations using the International Code of Signals. You can also fly signal flags for decorative purposes, such as dressing your boat for a special occasion, but you should avoid using flags that have specific meanings or that could cause confusion.
• You can fly your private signal whenever you want, but it has no official significance or recognition. It is purely a personal or family emblem.

The Common Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid When Flying Flags

Flying flags on your boat can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be tricky and challenging. There are some common mistakes and pitfalls that you should avoid when flying flags, such as:

• Flying an incorrect, damaged, wrongly sized or otherwise invalid ensign. This is a breach of law and etiquette and could lead to fines or penalties.
• Flying a special ensign without being entitled to do so. This is a privilege granted by a warrant from the Admiralty or by an Act of Parliament and it requires certain conditions to be met.
• Flying a burgee that does not match your ensign or that is higher than your ensign. This is a sign of disrespect and ignorance and could offend other boats or authorities.
• Flying more than one burgee at a time. This is considered sloppy and excessive and could imply that you are showing off or indecisive.
• Flying a courtesy flag that is larger than your burgee or that is above your burgee on the same halyard. This is a sign of subservience and inferiority and could insult your own country or club.
• Flying a Q flag when you have already been cleared or when you are leaving a port. This is unnecessary and confusing and could cause delays or misunderstandings.
• Flying signal flags that have specific meanings or that could cause confusion for decorative purposes. This is irresponsible and dangerous and could lead to accidents or incidents.
• Flying a private signal that resembles an official flag or that has an offensive meaning. This is misleading and rude and could provoke anger or hostility.
• And you should never, ever, fly a skull-and-crossbones flag. There is nothing amusing or glamorous about pirates.

Sailboat Flag Etiquette: A Few FAQs...

Why do some British sailboats fly a White or Blue Ensign rather than the traditional Red Ensign?

Some British sailboats fly a white or blue ensign because they belong to certain yacht clubs or organisations that have special permission to use these ensigns.

The white ensign is a variation of the national flag that is normally used by the Royal Navy, but it can also be worn by yachts owned by members of the Royal Yacht Squadron , which is a privileged yacht club with a long history and close ties to the monarchy.

The blue ensign is another variation of the national flag that is normally used by government vessels, but it can also be worn by yachts that belong to one of the 32 yacht clubs or associations that have a warrant from the Admiralty or the relevant authority to use the undefaced blue ensign.

Additionally, some yachts can wear a blue ensign defaced with the badge of their club or association, if they have a warrant for that as well. There are 57 yacht clubs or associations that have this privilege.

These special or privileged ensigns are considered a mark of distinction and honour, and they should only be flown with proper authorisation and following the rules and regulations of wearing them.

What is the difference between an ensign and a burgee?

An ensign is a flag that shows the nationality of the vessel and must be worn at the stern or as close to it as possible. A burgee is a flag that shows the membership of a yacht club or sailing association and can be worn at the masthead or the port spreader.

What is a special ensign and how can I get one?

A special ensign is a variation of the national flag that can be worn by certain yachts that belong to a privileged yacht club or organisation. To get one, you need to apply for a warrant from the Admiralty or the relevant authority and follow the rules and regulations of wearing it.

How big should my flags be and how should I hoist them?

The size of your flags depends on the length of your vessel, but as a general rule, your ensign should be about one inch for each foot of overall length. Your burgee and courtesy flag should be smaller than your ensign, but not too small to be seen. You should hoist your flags using halyards or staffs and make sure they are not tangled, faded, or torn.

When should I raise and lower my flags?

You should raise your flags at 0800 hours or when you leave harbour, whichever is later, and lower them at sunset or when you enter harbour, whichever is earlier. You should also lower your flags when out of sight of other vessels or when nobody is aboard.

Can I fly more than one burgee or other flags on my vessel?

Traditionally, you should only fly one burgee at a time, but some yachts may choose to fly more than one to show their affiliation with different clubs or associations. However, you should always make sure that your burgee matches your ensign if you are wearing a special one. You can also fly other flags, such as signal flags, house flags, or personal flags, but they should not take precedence over your ensign, burgee, or courtesy flag.

How should I salute other vessels or authorities with my flags?

You can salute other vessels or authorities by dipping your ensign, which means lowering it halfway down the staff or halyard and then hoisting it back up. You should only do this if you receive a salute first or if you are passing by a naval vessel, a Coast Guard vessel, or a foreign warship.

What are the rules for flying flags in a race?

The rules for flying flags in a race may vary depending on the organising authority, but generally, you should not fly your ensign during a race, as this signals that you are not racing. You should also follow any instructions given by the race committee regarding signal flags, class flags, or protest flags.

What are the consequences of not following flag etiquette?

Not following flag etiquette may result in fines, penalties, or even confiscation of your vessel if you break the law or offend the host country. It may also cause confusion, misunderstanding, or disrespect among other sailors or authorities. Therefore, it is advisable to learn and follow the proper flag etiquette whenever you go sailing.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary

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• Boat flag etiquette

Flag etiquette has been transmitted to us by generations of mariners. Although not often appropriately respected these days, especially not by charterers, we might add, observing flag etiquette can provide some pride of perpetuating a very old tradition as well as some fun. We will not get into deep details and purist fanaticism. However, we will try to show charterers the minimum that is expected for basic respect of rules.

Therefore, we will only talk here about 4 main flags, potentially used by charterers and charter boat owners: the Ensign or the National flag; the club burgee; the Private Signal; and the Courtesy Flags.

Boats should fly the National Flag. Most pleasure boats in US waters have a choice of 2.

The yacht ensign, with its fouled anchor over a circle of 13 stars, the "Betsy Ross" flag. Originally restricted to documented vessels only, it is now commonly flown on recreational boats of all types and sizes instead of the National Flag (see picture).

The 50-star flag "Old Glory" you are familiar with.

The appropriate time to fly the ensign is from 0800 to sunset, except when racing. It is also important to take the flag down prior to leaving the yacht if the ship will be unmanned at the time of sunset.

However, whenever a boat is taken into international or foreign waters, the 50-star U.S. ensign is the proper flag to fly and the yacht ensign cannot to be displayed . In other words, if you own a US boat in the British Virgin Islands, you should not fly the Ensign, but the National Flag.

Boats today fly the ensign from the stern, which provides the best visibility, but it can also be flown from the leech of the most aftersail. When flown from the stern, it should be on a staff (pole) that is sufficiently long and angled, and that is offset to one side (traditionally the starboard side), so the flag flies clear of engine exhaust and rigging.

It is a small flag displaying the symbol of the skipper's yacht club or other sailing organization. It may be flown day and night.

Most people opt to fly the burgee lower in the rig, hoisted to the end of the lowest starboard spreader on a thin flag halyard. While purists rail this practice, it is an accepted adaptation of another tradition, which is that the starboard rigging is a position of honor (when you visit a foreign port, that's where we fly the host country's flag). Besides being reasonable, flying the burgee in the starboard rigging is such a widespread custom that to try to end it would be close to impossible.

Private Signal

It is a small, custom-designed and custom-made flag that carries symbols standing for the owner, so it can basically be anything. The signal may be flown day or night, but is not displayed when another sailor is in command. (The rule is: the private signal and burgee follow the sailor, not the boat.)

On a multi-masted boat, the private signal is flown at the head of the aftermost mast. On a sloop, the private signal may be flown from the starboard rigging, either below the burgee or alone.

Courtesy Flags

As a matter of courtesy, it is appropriate to fly the flag of a foreign nation on your boat when you enter and operate on its waters. There are only a limited number of positions from which flags may be displayed. Therefore, when a flag of another nation is flown, it usually must displace one of the flags displayed in home waters. However, it is hoisted only after the appropriate authorities have granted clearance. Until clearance is obtained, a boat must fly the yellow "Q" flag . All charter boats should carry the national flags of neighboring islands as well as the yellow flag, in case charterers want to visit those islands.

The courtesy flag is flown at the boat's starboard spreader, whether the United States ensign is at the stern staff, or flown from the leech. If there is more than one mast, the courtesy flag is flown from the starboard spreader of the forward mast.

As a side note, some authorities are not amused at all if you fly their courtesy flag using an old, raggy flag. Some will even fine you for disrespect! It happened to a friend of mine who was chartering in Turkey.

Lastly, it is also a common courtesy to fly the national flag(s) of your guest(s) on board, if they have a different nationality than the ensign is showing.

Flags' Dimensions

Flags come in standardized sizes, but there are guidelines about selecting the proper size for your boat.

The size of a nautical flag is determined by the size of the boat that flies it. Flags are more often too small than too large. So in the rules below, round upward to the nearestlarger standard size.

The flag at the stern of your boat: U.S. ensign or national flag should be about one inch for each foot of overall length. For example, on a 40ft. boat, the ensign should be 40 in. i.e. about 3.5ft.

Other flags, such as club burgees, private signals and courtesy flags used on sailboats should be approximately 1/2 inch for each foot of the highest mast above the water. For example, on a 30ft. boat, with 50ft. between the masthead and the water, the burgee should be about 25 in. The shape and proportions of pennants and burgees will be prescribed by the organization which they relate to.

Raising and Lowering Flags

Fly the ensign from morning (8:00 a.m.) to evening (sunset) whether the boat is at rest, under sail, or under power. The exception to this rule is: The ensign is not flown by a boat in a race, which signals to other boats that you are racing.

To prevent wear and tear, the flag may not be flown when out of sight of other vessels or when nobody is aboard. The flag is flown while entering or leaving a port, even at night. For purists: In the morning, the ensign is hoisted rapidly before other flags. In the evening, it is lowered slowly and with ceremony after other flags come down.

Additional sources:  Seaflags http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html

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Boat Flags & Boat Flag Etiquette

The United States Flag Code provides advisory rules for display and care of the American Flag, but there are also specific guidelines for flying flags on recreational boats. In fact, boat flag etiquette not only ensures that the flag is displayed respectfully, it actually helps boaters to identify one another and communicate while on open water.

Boat Flags: When & Where to Fly Them

The five most common types of boat flags are Ensign, Burgee, Private Signal, Courtesy and Signal Flags.

National Ensign Flags

The ensign flag is the largest, most important flag on a boat because it identifies the nation of origin. The preferred U.S. national ensign flag is the traditional American Flag , however, the United States Yacht Ensign may be flown in its place, provided the boat remains in domestic waters. Similar to the Betsy Ross Flag , but with a fouled anchor in the center of the 13 stars, the yacht ensign should never be used in international or foreign waters.

Always flown off the stern, on a staff-pole that is long and angled, the ensign may be offset to one side to allow it to fly clear of the rigging and engine exhaust. In addition, American boat flags should only be flown from 8:00 am until sunset, and when entering or leaving port during daylight or at night, weather and rig permitting. When leaving your boat in port, the flag should be taken down if you will not return before sunset.

Burgee Flags

Typically triangular or swallow-tailed in shape, the burgee flag is a small flag with a symbol signifying the skipper’s sailing organization or yacht club. Many yacht clubs have rules about when their burgees are flown, but generally speaking, burgee flags are flown from the bow staff or under the starboard spreader. These flags are flown day and night, and follow the skipper from boat to boat.

Private Signal Flags

Private signal flags are personal flags, sometimes referred to as house flags, which are custom designed and made specifically for the boat owner. Custom Boat Flags usually feature a personal interest, hobby, family tradition, initials or some other symbol to identify the boat owner. These boat flags are flown day and night, but only when the owner is in command of the boat. Custom boat flags are flown at the head of the aftermost mast, from the bow staff on mastless vessels, or on the starboard rigging below the burgee.

Courtesy Flags

To show respect, courtesy flags are flown when entering or operating a boat in foreign waters and, in some instances, when there is someone from a foreign country on the boat. Courtesy flags represent the host nation or state in whose waters you are traveling, and are flown from the starboard spreader on a sailboat, the starboard spreader of a powerboat with a mast, or the bow staff of a mastless boat.

Signal Flags

Signal Flags are an international standard in maritime, used for nautical ship-to-ship communication, primarily related to safety and navigation. Each signal flag corresponds to a number or letter of the alphabet, and when displayed by itself or in conjunction with other letters and numbers, the flags relay important messages and information to other vessels. Although radio transmissions have largely replaced the use of signal flags, they are still required on commercial vessels and in foreign ports of call.

Other Boat Flags

Fishing boats often fly flags denoting their catch. Known as Fishing Flags , these boat flags can feature marlin, sailfish, tuna, albacore, tarpon, wahoo, striped bass, bluefish, shark, mako shark, king mackerel, swordfish and more. They are flown from the port outrigger or spreader, and are flown upside down if the catch is released.

Gettysburg Flag Works also carries a variety of Nautical & Marine Ensigns , as well as Jolly Roger Pirate Flags , and several fun and humorous boat flags, including Mother-in-Law On Board , Baby on Board , Wife On Board and Husband on Board .

Boat Flags: How to Order

When ordering an ensign, or American Boat Flag , we recommend a flag that measures one inch for each foot of boat length. For smaller vessels, a 12x18” flag is usually suffice, while larger boats may opt for the 2x3’ flag. Burgee and personal Custom Boat Flags are generally smaller than the ensign, but can measure up to half an inch for each foot above water of the tallest mast.

Need help ordering a flag for your boat? The flag experts at Gettysburg are happy to help. Give us a call at 1-888-697-3524 or contact us online .

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US Ensign Sizes

The flag at the stern of your boat is either a U.S. ensign, a yacht ensign, or a USPS ensign. A national ensign flown at the flagstaff should be one inch on the fly for each foot of overall length of the vessel. So a 30 foot vessel should fly a national ensign that has at least a 30 inch fly. All other flags on power boats should be 5/8 inch on the fly for each foot of overall length.

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What Size Flag Do I Need for My Boat?

If you’re planning to hoist a flag on your boat, one of the most important considerations is the size of the flag. A flag that’s too small may not be visible from a distance, while a flag that’s too large can create problems with wind resistance and visibility. In this article, we’ll take a look at some factors you should consider when choosing the right size flag for your boat.

Distance and Visibility

The first thing to consider when selecting a boat flag size is the distance from which it will be viewed. For instance, if you’re sailing in an area with lots of other boats, you’ll need a larger flag that can be seen easily from a distance. On the other hand, if you’re just cruising in calm waters without much traffic around, you may not need as large of a flag.

Another factor to consider is how high up on your mast or antenna you plan to fly your flag. If your flag will be flying high up in the air, it will need to be larger than if it were flying closer to deck level.

The size of your boat is another important consideration when choosing a flag size. Larger boats typically require larger flags for optimal visibility. If you have a smaller boat, you may want to opt for a smaller flag that won’t overwhelm your vessel.

Flagpole Length

In addition to considering the size of your boat itself, you’ll also want to think about the length of your flagpole or mast. The length of your pole will determine how far away from the boat your flag will fly and therefore influence its visibility.

Flag Etiquette

When selecting a boat flag size, it’s also important to keep in mind proper etiquette and guidelines for displaying flags on boats. For example, in many countries and jurisdictions there are rules about the size and placement of flags on boats, so it’s important to check local regulations before selecting a flag.

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Daniel Bennet

• Regulations

Flag etiquette

Flag etiquette is a combination of law (what you must do) and maritime tradition (expectations of behaviour within the sea faring community).

Being ill-informed of your obligations could lead you to cause insult at home or abroad by giving a signal you do not intend to give, or could lead you to a fine for breaking the law.

For many who go to sea, flag etiquette and flag rules are an essential part of the overall sailing process. Only with the right flag, correctly positioned, can you to be sure that you are giving the correct message and that any signal you are giving is clear.

For RYA members

The original RYA book (C4/01) has been reorganised into 3 parts for publication on the RYA website and is available to RYA members to download .

For all website users

A brief overview designed to demystify the basics of flag etiquette follows:

What to put where

The most senior position for a flag on a vessel is reserved for the Ensign - this is as close to the stern of the vessel as possible.  The Ensign shows the country of registry of the vessel and indicates its nationality. A UK flagged vessel must wear her ensign as required by the Merchant Shipping Act, which includes when entering or leaving a foreign port and on demand. It is recommended that the ensign is worn at all times in daylight, especially when near to or in sight of land or another vessel.  A UK registered vessel should wear the national maritime flag, the Red Ensign, unless entitled to wear a special Ensign . Wearing anything other than an authorised Ensign is a violation of British and International Law.

As the Ensign takes the senior position on a vessel, the order of precedence for positions for flying other flags is: 2) masthead, 3) starboard spreader, 4) port spreader. This assumes a simple plan of one halyard per spreader; other combinations including motor boats are discussed in the Members’ section.

Traditionally, the burgee is flown at the main masthead. A burgee must match a special Ensign if one is worn and it should always be higher than the Ensign. Flag etiquette states that only one burgee is flown at a time, but it is not uncommon nowadays to see yachts flying more than one burgee. Although this might cause offence to some, there is nothing legally wrong with this practice provided the rules governing the wearing of a special ensign are adhered to.

The starboard spreaders are used for signalling. This is where both a courtesy flag and the Q flag , as signals, should be flown. These days it is becoming increasingly common for yachts to fly a burgee from the starboard spreaders because of instrumentation sited at the main masthead. Again, legally there is nothing wrong with doing so but this practice presents a number of problems for those who wish to adhere to the traditions of flag etiquette.

More than one flag may be flown on a halyard except that flag etiquette states that no flag can be above the burgee on the same halyard and no flag can be worn above the courtesy flag. If you fly a burgee at the starboard spreaders and are sailing in the territorial waters of another country this presents something of a dilemma, particularly if you must fly a burgee to match a special Ensign. Unless the burgee is in its traditional position at the masthead, you risk flouting one or another element of flag etiquette. How you choose to resolve this is a matter of choice.

A word on courtesy flags, most countries use their national flag at sea and it is therefore not uncommon to see a foreign visitor flying a Union Jack as a courtesy flag when visiting UK waters. This is wrong; the correct flag is always a Red Ensign. There is no legal requirement to fly a courtesy flag; it is a courtesy that acknowledges that the vessel will respect the laws and sovereignty of that country. However, if one is not flown or it is tatty or faded, it may cause grave offence and in some countries can lead to a fine.

The port spreaders are used for house flags . A house flag is normally but not always a small rectangular version of a burgee. It may indicate membership of an association (e.g the RYA) or society or may be to indicate membership of another club should that club have a house flag.  More than one house flag may be flown on the port halyard, but with caution as too many might appear vulgar to some.

The Union Jack, Welsh Dragon, the Crosses of St Andrew, St George and St Patrick and the EU flag are primarily land flags and must not be flown at sea as an Ensign by cruising yachtsmen. At sea the cross of St George is the flag of an Admiral and it should therefore not be flown by anyone else, without special dispensation. A vessel flying the St Andrew’s Cross could be mistaken as saying "my vessel is stopped and making no way through the water" as this is the meaning of code flag M which has the same design and the St Patrick s Cross could be misinterpreted as code flag V "I require assistance".  

Union Jack or Union flag?

There is often a lively debate about which term is correct. In fact both terms are acceptable having been given parliamentary approval in 1908 when it was stated that "the Union Jack should be regarded as the National flag".

Sizing your flags

The sizes and condition of flags are important. They should not be tatty and should not hang in the water, but should still be large enough to be seen.

The best advice is "what looks right" but a rough guide is:

The general guideline for the size of Ensign used to be an inch per foot of yacht, but on many modern yachts this is found to be a little on the small side for the vessel to look "well dressed". Roughly speaking a 3/4 yard Ensign should look right on a boat of 21-26 ft, 1 yard for 27- 34 ft, 1 1/4 yard for 35 - 42 ft, 1 1/2 yard for 43 - 50 ft and 1 3/4 yard for 51 - 60 ft, but some discretion may need to be applied.

A burgee of 15" in the fly (the horizontal measurement) should look appropriate on vessels up to 34ft. This increases to 18" for up to 42ft, 24" for up to 50ft and 30" up to 60 ft.

Courtesy Flag

Having an undersized, faded or tatty courtesy flag in many places is worse than having no courtesy flag. Again as a guide only, 12" in the fly should look appropriate for 21-26 ft, 15" for 27- 34 ft, 18" for 35 - 42 ft, 22" for 43 - 50 ft and 30" for 51 - 60 ft. Availability may however end up dictating the size of the flag.

House flags

A house flag of a similar size to those listed for the courtesy flag will generally be appropriate.

Special Ensigns

In addition to the national maritime flag, the Red Ensign, there is a White Ensign, a Blue Ensign and there are a number of Red Ensigns with a badge, Blue Ensigns with a badge and a light blue Ensign with a badge. These additional Ensigns are special or privileged Ensigns may only be worn with permission, which is granted ultimately by the King.

A warrant grants this permission and the Ensign must be worn in accordance with the warrant, which will in most cases require the corresponding burgee to be displayed. In most cases the warrant is granted to a Yacht Club, which in turns gives its members permission to wear the Ensign under the conditions of the warrant, by issuing the members with a permit.

The RYA has no power to police the wearing of ensigns or prohibited flags other than by spreading the word about flag etiquette and encouraging good practice.

The RYA flag etiquette book C1/04 has been re-written and is published online for the benefit of RYA Members.

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U.S. Flag Size

• Thread starter Doug4bass
• Start date May 30, 2015
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

My sailboat is 39' overall. Flag length of 36 or 48"????  

Your choice. I have the Catalina 400, and fly a 36" off the starboard stern seat rail. It doesn't get in the way, even with the wind from astern. I've wanted a larger flag, and still might for special occasions, but this flag looks good and is easy.  

Attachments

Rough estimate is 1" of flag per foot of boat. Chief  

Chief RA said: Rough estimate is 1" of flag per foot of boat. Chief Click to expand

I show a 60" flag from the top of my davits. It looks absolutely beautiful and makes one proud to see Maxine going to windward with that flag streaming in the breeze.  

justsomeguy

Sefuller said: All U Get's comment would have gotten one from me Click to expand

CHARLIE STAGE

The accepted standard sized American Flag is indeed 3x5, however 2x3 is often seen. As a calculation almost every flag size is a multiple of those two sizes in this case: 6x10, or 4x6 etc.. There are one or two odd sizes, and some are manufactured to rare custom sizes. An inch per foot of boat is an the most generally accepted rule but you can see the difficulty here; those with boats in the 30-40ft range have no choice but to by a 48ft or larger boat. Hmmmmm! check out: flagoutpost.com  

Doug, there is no such thing as too big when it comes to Old Glory. Get a massive staff and put out something that makes you giggle everytime you look at it.  

Stu Jackson

Making a statement!!! Sometimes logical proportions don't matter. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3634/3361341497_78bcf03ea4_z.jpg  

It is your choice to choose the wrong size. But 1 inch for every foot of boat length is the correct size. Also round up to the next larger size flag.  

Ted said: Making a statement!!! Sometimes logical proportions don't matter. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3634/3361341497_78bcf03ea4_z.jpg Click to expand

LittleCreek

I came across this site a couple days ago with recommendations on flag sizes. http://www.crwflags.com/page0062.html  

We, "borrowed"a flag from the Pensacola Yacht Club after a first in class on a particularly tough race from Galveston several years back. The 20' by 30' flag looked FINE flying in place of the mainsail on buddy's Tartan 37.. The club made us return it before they would record our win and give us the silver.. Our late night pilfering (which may have involved rum planning) apparently was noticed.. but that giant flag really looked good as we flew it a lot of the way back down the Intercoastal.  

justsomeguy said: Click to expand

woodster said: JSG that flag is not flying from a boat its on the flag pole attached to the shore you cheated lol Click to expand

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Boat Flag Etiquette

Usa boat flag etiquette is unique, a word on boat flag size, boat flag etiquette extends beyond size and symbolism, boat flag verbiage everyone should know, boat flag courtesies, why the national ensign nautical etiquette rules are so important, additional boat flag rules you should know.

When it comes to the subject of etiquette, most people are aware that proper manners are expected at the dinner table, in public settings and especially on the golf course.  However, few people outside of the boating community are aware that boat flag etiquette exists.  Moreover, some newbie boaters are unaware that there are expectations for the presentation of a vessel’s flag.

Here’s an inside look at everything you need to know about boat flag etiquette and boat flags meaning.

Boat flag etiquette differs by geography.  In particular, the conventions for the presentation of a boat flag in the United States are highly idiosyncratic.  The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary devised the code for boat flag etiquette with assistance from the United States Power Squadrons and the Auxiliary Coast Guard.  Though few know it, the code for boat flag presentation in the states details the points of honor whereupon the flags are flown.

The flag can only be displayed at the highest possible permitted point of honor that is permitted.  The order of the points of honor from top to bottom are:

• Flagstaff positioned at the stern
• Halyard or yardam on starboard
• Truck of mast
• Yardam at port

Every boating vessel in the United States must reserve the most elevated point of honor for the national ensign.  The national ensign is a flag with 50 stars originally implemented by the country’s Continental Congress in the summer of 1777.  The national ensign has been in use by the Navy dating back to the mid-19th century.  This ensign is typically displayed on the stern.  However, boating etiquette in the United States permits the use of a yacht ensign as opposed to a national ensign presented on the stern.

Boat flag size holds importance.  Most boat flag sizes are sold in a set series of standard sizes.  National ensign flags are to be an inch for every foot of length.  As an example, if the boat is 35 feet, the ensign is to be 35 inches.  Ideally, the national ensign will be presented an inch on the fly for each foot of the boat’s length.  The remainder of flags are to be 5/8-inch on the fly per foot of boat length.

Flags other than the national ensign such as courtesy flags, private signals and club burgees displayed on boats are to be half an inch for every foot per the highest mast.

Nautical flag etiquette is one part function, one part form.  The purpose of boat flag etiquette is to facilitate communication between boats.  However, it is the subtleties of boat flag etiquette that shape perception of the boater as well as his or her vessel.

Each country has its own nuanced requirements for boats that enter and depart local ports, meaning the boat flag etiquette described above and below will not be appropriate for waters outside of those near or within the United States.  Though not guaranteed, there is the potential for the failure to comply with boat flag etiquette to result in a fine.

If you aren’t well-versed on boat flag etiquette, take comfort in knowing you are not alone.  Even some of the most experienced boat owners have forgotten or simply failed to learn boat flag etiquette lingo.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common terms used when discussing boat flag etiquette.

The flagpole’s bottom width is referred to as the butt diameter.  A flag that is fully hoisted is close up.  The word “colors” refers to the elevating and dropping of flags at 8 in the morning and at sunset.  Courtesy flags are national flags are hoisted for presentation when entering a new country.

To dip is to lower the boat flag by moving it forward from its original upright position to a horizontal position or a 45-degree angle to display a sign of respect.  Ensign is the flag that displays the boat’s nationality, meaning the country where it was first registered.  The canton is the flag’s rectangular portion at the upper hoist corner that takes up ¼ of the flag’s surface area.

The phrase “flag staff at the stern” refers to the pole at the ship’s stern used for the flying of the nation’s registry flags.  The gaff is a rig that protrudes from the flagpole for additional flag hoisting, elevating at an angle.  The rope or cable that raises and lowers flags is referred to as the halyard.

The order of flag arrangement in regard to etiquette is particularly important.  Such order is the same throughout the world.  If the order is not adhered to, it will present communication challenges with other vessels.  Flags with the highest level of honor are to be displayed at the highest elevation.

The order is as follows:

• Gaff for the nation’s flag
• Flagstaff at stern
• Starboard yardam
• Truck of mast port yardam

What is INTERCO in the Context of Boat Flag Etiquette?

INTERCO is an acronym that is short for the International Code of Signals.  If you are a boat owner or considering taking to the water, you should know and understand the INTERCO signaling system.  This system is used across the globe to communicate information pertaining to maritime travel, boat safety, navigation on the waters and more.

INTERCO signals include boat flags and plenty more.  Additional examples of signals include:

• Audio signals
• Signals made by hand
• ALDIS lamps
• Radiophones and even radiotelegraphs

The United States national ensign is the flag used for designate vessels traversing waters in or near the United States.  This honorable flag must be presented with care.  The ensign takes the senior spot in the gaff.  However, some vessels do not have gaffs, requiring the flying of the ensign from the boat stern flagstaff.

Every boater should be aware that no other flag can be flown higher than the national ensign within a single halyard.  It is also a violation of boat flag etiquette to hoist the National Ensign and Jack together.  The Jack can only be hoisted when the boat is anchored or travels fast toward the shore instead of when the boat is underway or when the final line is cast away.

Though the nuanced rules of boat etiquette differ by country, there are general themes applicable to the waters across the globe.  As an example, regardless of where you are sailing, a mastless boat should have a courtesy flag used to replace flags that are displayed at the boat’s bow.  A boat with a mast containing a spread requires display at the starboard spreader.

If your courtesy flag is weathered, torn or otherwise in bad condition, do not display it on your boat.  Presenting a worn courtesy flag is a blatant indication of disrespect.

If you are traveling in international waters, do not use the same mast to display the courtesy flag and national ensign as it will be viewed as an indication that you are rivaling the sovereignty of a foreign country.

Moreover, if you are boating internationally or are traveling with riders of a different nationality, display their country’s flag(s) as a gesture of courtesy.  However, these flags should not be displayed on the same mast.  Be sure to remove the foreign flag from your vessel upon returning to domestic waters.

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American Flag Sizes: Common Dimensions

Flag dimensions.

• 3x5 American flag - This flag is the usual size for a flag being flown outside the home. The height of the pole needed is 20 feet.
• 4x6 American flag - This size flag is generally used for public display and the height of the pole is 25 feet.
• 5x8 American flag - The 5x8 flag requires a 30-foot high pole and is usually flown as a public display flag rather than for home use or indoor use.
• 6x10 American flag - This size of flag needs a 40-foot pole for display and is usually flown for public events rather than for home use.
• Flags that are displayed on flagpoles can be anywhere from 20 feet to 38 feet on a pole that is 100 feet high. This is large for American flag sizes and is usually flown at official government buildings.

Sizes of the American Flag Flown Over the Capitol

Flags for boats.

• Under 20 feet - an 8" x 12" flag is an appropriate size for this length of the boat and is usually displayed at the stern of the boat unless otherwise specified. It is always a good idea to find out ahead of time what the flag rules are when venturing into unfamiliar territory.
• 20 feet to 29 feet - a 10"x15" flag is a good size for a boat of this length
• 30 feet to 39 feet - Choose a 12"x18" flag for this boat
• 40 feet to 49 feet - 14"x21" flag
• 50 feet to 59 feet - 16"x24" flag
• 60 feet to 69 feet - 20"x30" flag

Dimensions of Flags for Cars and Trucks

The position of the union jack and the stripes.

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Boats & Flags: 11 Answers You Should Know (For Beginners)

The flags on a boat can signify many different things.

Mostly, they can seem confusing to a layperson or a new boater.

Flying the wrong flag at the wrong position can confuse other boaters and result in a fine!

Here’s what you need to know about how and when you can use flags on a boat:

Table of Contents

1. What Are The Main Types Of Flags Flown On Boats?

On any non-commercial vessel, you can usually find these four different types of flags:

• Ensign – a variety of national flag
• Burgee – a flag representing a boating organization
• Private Signal – a small custom-made flag for the boat owner
• Courtesy – the flag of a foreign country for an onboard guest or when you are in foreign waters

2. What is an Ensign Flag, and When Do I Use It?

An ensign is a flag from the nation from which the boater originates.

They are slightly different from their national flags. Ensign flags used to be restricted to documented vessels only.

Now it is common courtesy to fly the national flag on all types of recreational boats.

It is proper etiquette to only fly ensign flags from 0800 to sunset unless you’re in a boat race outside those hours. It is also important to take this flag down before leaving your boat if it is unmanned at sunset.

If you take your boat into international waters, you should fly your national flag. These days ensign flags are flown off of the stern.

If you do this, make sure it is on a staff-pole and that the pole is long and angled.

If you offset it to one side (like the starboard side), it’ll fly clear of the engine’s exhaust.

This will also keep it clear from the rigging.

3. What is a Burgee Flag, and When Do I use That?

A burgee flag is a small flag with the skipper’s sailing organization or yacht club on it.

It follows the skipper from boat to boat. These are flown day and night.

Traditionally, sailing vessels hoisted these flags on a “pigstick” at the top of the highest mast.  Because of instruments that are often at the top of the mast, it is more common to hoist a burgee on a spreader halyard. 

Of course, this is the modern way to fly it.

The starboard rigging is known as a place of honor (when it comes to flags). That’s why you fly the host country’s flag there when visiting a foreign port.

4. What is a Private Signal, and When Do we use Those?

These are small flags that are custom designed (and custom made) specifically for the boat owner.

It’s flown day and night but is only flown when the owner is in command of the boat.

If a different sailor is in command, they are to fly their own private signal.

Private signals are flown at the aftermost mast’s head (if you have a multi-mast boat). On a sloop, fly private signals on starboard rigging, below the burgee.

Unless you don’t have a burgee, then you can fly it alone.

5. What’s a Courtesy Flag, and When Do I Fly That?

Courtesy flags are flown when you are in a foreign nation’s waters.

It also comes into play when you have someone from a foreign country on your vessel.

You can only fly a courtesy flag if certain conditions are met:

• Only after authorities from the country have granted you clearance.
• After you remove your yellow “Q” flag.
• If you have a flag that is in the proper condition.
• If you fly a courtesy flag, do so at the boat’s starboard spreader.
• If there is more than one mast, then it must be flown off the starboard spreader of the forward most mast.

By “proper condition,” you must fly a flag that is not old or in a disrespectful state.

If you do fly a ratty old flag, you could be fined for being disrespectful!

6. What About International Signal Flags?

There is a system of internationally recognized numerical and alphabetical pennants and flags known as the International Code of Signals.

This helps communicate when you’re out in the open water.

The messages these flags send can be about navigation or even safety.

Signals can be sent by:

• Flag semaphore
• Signal lamp (otherwise known as “blinkers”)
• Radiotelephony
• Radiotelegraphy

There are so many different communication methods because it is important when the crew’s safety is concerned—especially when you’re in open water.

Boaters use nautical signal flags in several different ways:

• With each spelling out a letter of a message
• With a flag symbolizing a specific message (For example, an “A flag” is flown by diving support vessels when they can’t move from their current location.)
• In a yacht or dinghy race, with each flag flying as code (For example, a “P flag” is used to stand for “Prepare,” which indicates that the race is about to start.)

Some boaters use signal flags to dress their ships for holidays by hoisting the national ensign at the stern staff first.

A rainbow of flags can then be arranged, reaching from the waterline forward to the aft, from the bowsprit end (or stem).

7. Why are There so Many Boat Flags?

Flags are flown for multiple reasons but remember that when you’re out at sea, this is the easiest way to recognize other boats.

It’s like the license plate on a car. Different countries have different license plates.

Within each country, different states or provinces can also have different license plates.

Then, you can have symbols that signify clubs or organizations on your license plate in each state.

This is a way you can express yourself on your vessel.

Check out our article about what colored flags on houses are all about.

8. Why are Some Flags Flown at Half-Mast?

Just like on land, flags are sometimes flown at half-mast in respect for someone who has passed.

This isn’t required in all places, nor is it mandated by any law.

However, it’s good to note why you might see this when you are out in the water.

Some boaters will also dip their flags (drop it down to half, then raise it again) as a friendly signal to a passing boater.

9. What Size Are Boat Flags?

Generally, boat flags come in different sizes, depending on the type of boat that you have.

For aesthetic purposes, most flags are roughly 1” per foot of the length of your boat.

Also, the staff should be twice the length of the height of your flag.

For example, if you have a powerboat that is 33’ long, you should have flags that are 24” x 36” on a staff that is 48”.

This is the recommended proportion of ensign flags. Burgee and private signals are approximately half that size. For the same powerboat example above, you might get burgee and private signal flags, which are 12” x 18”.

10 What do “Fishing Flags” Mean?

Fishing flags are signal flags that have representations of various types of fish on them.

Flying one (or more, if you’re lucky) lets other boaters know what sort of fish you’ve caught that day. It also lets other boaters know what sort of fish are in the area that day.

Fishing flags should be placed on the port rigger, spaced at least one flag length apart. This will let the proper authorities or other boaters count your catch easily.

It should also be placed in order of size, with the biggest species of fish on top.

Certain rules follow certain types of fish so make sure you read up on the fish flag etiquette in fishing manuals.

In the past, if a fisherman tagged a fish, they would fly the species flag with a white “T” under it to let others know of their tag. If they hoisted the species flags upside down, that signifies that they had caught and released that particular fish.

If they did so with multiple fish of the same species, they hoisted several red triangle pennants under that species flag.

However, today most fishermen are doing the opposite when they practice catch and release. They fly a fish right-side-up to signify that it swam away healthy after being released.

While an upside-down species flag signifies a fish caught and harvested.

11. How Much do Boat Flags Cost?

Boating flags can range from $12 for a single flag to $175 for a set.

The average cost for an ensign flag is roughly $20.

Final Thoughts

There is a long history of nautical flag use.

Using the wrong flag or flying a flag in the wrong position can get you into trouble. Thus, it is important to brush up on the meanings of different flags before using them.

It is important to have a boat handling book or flag manual on your boat in case of emergency.  The US Power Squadron is a good source for their publication “ How to Fly Flags, Nautical Flags Display .”

If you are out with your family and an emergency occurs, they must know how to call and signal for help in different ways: including using a flag signal.

Flags aren’t just important for you and your boat, however.

It is also important to recognize what different flags may mean when you run across other boats.

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Flag Size Guideline

Flag size guide, for home wall-mounted flagpoles.

2' x 3', 2-½' x 4', 3' x 5'

For in-ground flagpoles

The rule of thumb is that the fly of the flag (the length or long dimension) should be 1/3 to ¼ the height of the flagpole. For example, if you have a 20' flagpole, ¼ of that is 5, so the fly of the flag should be 5'. This means that you need a 3' x 5' flag!

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Boat Flag Pole Kit American Flag Small US 12" x 18" Small American Flag Boat Set Marine Grade Boat Flag Holder 12x18 Pontoon Boat Accessories Dock & Rail Mount Small USA Flag & Burgee Flags

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About this item

• COMPLETE SET: Our kit comes with an American Flag with pole for boat rails or as a boat dock flag. New Design to fit square pontoon 1.5" rails or round railing complete with pole & screws. The perfect in fishing boat or pontoon boat accessories.
• WATERPROOF, FADE & TEAR RESISTANT: Our Boat Flags Marine 12x18 American flag set measures 12 inches by 18 inches. Double sided, tear-resistant, aluminum pole & stainless steel screws resistant to outdoor sunlight and saltwater to last for seasons.
• PERFECT BOATING GIFTS: The ideal in boat essentials. Looking for boat accessories gifts for men or women, look no further. Our American flag small kit comes with everything you need for that new boat owner gift or that boater that has everything.
• EMBROIDERED STARS & SEWN STRIPES: The small American flag boat set features 50 beautifully embroidered stars and individually sewn stripes unlike cheap printed alternatives! Made with durable nylon and long lasting reinforced grommets. #1 USA flag
• WHY BETTER BOAT: We are a family owned American business committed to making premium quality boat and RV care and cleaning supplies. We stand behind your satisfaction and our boat cleaning supplies including our boat flag.

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We offer a comprehensive line of premium quality boat care products that keep your boat looking and running great!

Our effective, state-of-the-art lineup is made to standards that ensure only the best results.

We are committed to providing all the tools needed to make caring for your boat easier so you can spend less time maintaining your boat and more time on the water.

What problem are we solving?

Better Boat offers a full range of effective boat cleaning and care accessories that keep your vessel looking its best on the water or safely dry-docked. Our products prolong the life of your boat and make maintaining your boat easier!

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With years rigorous of usage, and over half a million happy customers, you can rest knowing we have you taken care of.

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Product Description

Our premium 12 inch x 18 inch marine-grade Maritime Anchor American flag and Yacht Ensign is made with high-quality water and sunlight resistant nylon and features exceptional embroidered stars, a foulded anchor and sewn stripes. Our boat flag comes with a flag pole, mounting bracket and screws so will have your flag up and flying in no time! It can be mounted to rails up to 1.5 inch including pontoons as a pontoon flag. The perfect pontoon boat accessories option. It’s the perfect accessory for your boat as it’s designed for outdoor use and the marine lifestyle. 12 embroidered starts circle the anchor making this a beautiful American flag and pole for boat set. The material used is lightweight, durable, and fade-resistant, making it perfect for any kind of weather. Our high-quality flag for boat is excellent for boat-enthusiasts and patriots alike and makes a great gift! Our Anchor American boat flag 12 x18 is great for showing your American pride every day or for celebrating holidays like Independence Day and Labor Day. We proudly stand behind the quality of all our products. We are a family-owned American business committed to making premium quality products and exceptional customer support.

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Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 59% 13% 11% 5% 11% 59%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 59% 13% 11% 5% 11% 13%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 59% 13% 11% 5% 11% 11%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 59% 13% 11% 5% 11% 5%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 59% 13% 11% 5% 11% 11%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the appearance of the banner, mentioning it looks good. They also appreciate the colors and graphics. However, some customers report issues with durability, saying the plastic clamp didn't hold very well. Opinions are mixed on size and quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the appearance of the banner. They mention that it looks good, has great colors and graphics, and is sharp looking. Some say that the picture was not centered on the flag. Overall, most are satisfied with the product's appearance.

"Good quality flag. Looks great on our pontoon boat ." Read more

"Perfect. Attaches nicely and good looking " Read more

"Better than I was expecting! Looks great , thanks!" Read more

"The flag clips could be designed better . We'll see how long it lasts." Read more

Customers find the banner easy to attach. They say it mounts easily and correctly onto a rail, and that it fits nicely on the rail. They also appreciate the poles and mounting hardware that came with the banner.

"Perfect. Attaches nicely and good looking" Read more

"...delivery was unbelievable, the flags came with poles and choices of mounting hardware - entire group very happy and boaters will raise our flags..." Read more

"...It fits nicely on the rail and has remained secure even through the 4th of July and many people in and out of the boat." Read more

"Flag detail is amazing, Mounted easily and correctly onto a rail . Grommet metal is too thin and ring hole could be enlarged so flag "waves" more." Read more

Customers are mixed about the quality of the banner. Some mention it looks good and is made well, while others say it's cheaply made and ripped after a few uses.

" Good quality flag . Looks great on our pontoon boat." Read more

"The clamp is not made well enough to clamp down hard on round rail to keep the item upright while driving the boat...." Read more

"The flag appeared to be of good material and workmanship . Attaching the flag to the pole is very difficult...." Read more

" Grommet tore from flag first day on water. Disappointing. Pole and mounting hardware seemed a value." Read more

Customers are mixed about the size of the banner. Some mention that it's a great size and sharp looking, while others say that it keeps coming loose and doesn't fit their pontoon railing.

" Perfect size for pontoon boat ." Read more

"This product has poor mounting. Keeps coming loose & really don’t fit my pontoon railing . The eyelets in the flag came out only after 2 weeks...." Read more

"...The fit was good " Read more

"Love how the flag turned out. Great size and sharp looking." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the durability of the banner. They mention that the plastic clamp didn't hold very well, and the grommet retention was poor.

"This product has poor mounting. Keeps coming loose & really don’t fit my pontoon railing. The eyelets in the flag came out only after 2 weeks...." Read more

" Kept coming loose . Had to retighten the screws and eventually eventually fell off and was lost." Read more

"Decent fabric/sticking, poor grommet retention ...." Read more

"The plastic clamp didn’t hold very well ...." Read more

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One person dead and six missing after superyacht with 22 on board is sunk by tornado off coast of Italy

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among those unaccounted for after the ship was battered by a tornado off the coast of Palermo in the early hours of Monday morning.

Tuesday 20 August 2024 16:20, UK

A man has died and six people are missing after a UK-flagged superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily in a tornado - with a prominent British businessman among those unaccounted for.

Technology tycoon Mike Lynch owned the 56-metre vessel (183ft), named Bayesian.

Mr Lynch, known as the "British Bill Gates", has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case.

In June, he was cleared of all charges by a US jury related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard in 2011.

Mr Lynch's 18-year-old daughter Hannah is among those missing after his yacht sank, local media reports.

Follow live updates: People missing after superyacht sinks

Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares is confirmed to be among the 15 people who were rescued after the British-flagged yacht capsized at around 4.30am local time (3.30am UK time) on Monday.

One body has also been recovered, after being found close to the vessel, according to local media.

Read more: Everything we know so far about luxury vessel sunk by tornado Lynch's co-defendant dies after being hit by car days before yacht sinking

The boat was hit by a tornado over the water, known as a waterspout, that struck where the yacht had been anchored during the storm.

Police divers have been trying to reach the hull of the ship, which is resting at a depth of 50 metres (163 feet) off Porticello, near Palermo.

During the rescue effort, divers saw "corpses through the portholes" of the wreck, Salvo Cocina, the head of the Civil Protection of Sicily, said.

“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he added.

The incident comes days after Stephen Chamberlain, Mr Lynch's co-accused in the fraud trial, died in a car collision in Stretham, Cambridgeshire.

Mr Chamberlain's lawyer said he was out running on Saturday when he was hit by a car.

Most on board yacht thought to be British

The boat had 12 passengers and a crew of 10 people. Four of the missing passengers are British and two are American, Italian news website la Reppublica reports.

Most of those on board were reported to be from Britain - including a mother and one-year-old daughter who are among those rescued.

Speaking to the Giornale Di Sicilia newspaper, Charlotte Golunski said: "For two seconds I lost my baby in the sea, then I immediately hugged her again amid the fury of the waves.

"I held her tightly, close to me, while the sea was stormy. Many were screaming. Luckily, the lifeboat inflated and 11 of us managed to get on board."

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Ms Golunski was reportedly given stitches for a chest injury following the ordeal. The father of the child also survived, Mr Cocina said.

Eight of the 15 people rescued and taken ashore at Porticello were taken to hospital, while the others were taken to a hotel.

The Italian coast guard said the boat had passengers from Britain, the US, and Canada.

Meanwhile, multiple Italian news outlets reported that people on the boat were from Britain, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Ireland.

British-French citizens were also among those on the superyacht, according to reports.

'I saw it sinking with my own eyes'

Pietro Asciutto, a fisherman from Porticello who witnessed the storm, told local media: "I was at home when the tornado hit. I immediately closed all the windows. Then I saw the boat, it had only one mast, it was very big. I saw it suddenly sink."

He added: "I think the whirlwind came from Porticello... shortly afterwards I went down to Santa Nicolicchia Bay to get a better look at what was happening.

"The boat was still floating, then all of a sudden it disappeared. I saw it sinking with my own eyes."

Fabio Cefalu, another local fisherman, called rescue services after spotting the wrecked boat off Porticello.

He said: "Around 3.55am we witnessed the whirlwind. After a quarter of an hour, we saw a flare 500 metres away from the dock.

"Around 4:35am we went out to sea for the rescue, however, we only saw the remains of the boat floating. There were no men in the sea. So we immediately called the harbour master's office."

A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said: "We are in contact with the local authorities following an incident in Sicily, and stand ready to provide consular support to British nationals affected."

Camper and Nicholsons, which provided yacht management services for the Bayesian, has confirmed the vessel sank at around 4.30am local time.

The company said in a statement: "The Italian coast guard is leading search and rescue operations, and has safely recovered 15 individuals. Efforts to locate the seven missing persons continue.

"Our priority is assisting with the ongoing search and providing all necessary support to the rescued passengers and crew."

Online charter sites listed the Bayesian as available for rent for up to €195,000 (about £166,339) a week.

Related Topics

• Superyacht sinking