All islands that remain UK possessions utilize the red ensign flag, with the
union jack in the top left corner. The crest for the particular territory or
commonwealth is unique for each, and is centered on the righthand side. However,
you can obtain a generic UK courtesy flag that is simply red with the union jack
and no crests. This is suitable for foreign flagged vessels, and can be used
while cruising the waters of all. (Turks & Caicos, BVI, Anguilla, Bermuda,
Cayman Islands).
The French also have a generic flag. (French St Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, including the Isles de Saintes, & Martinique)
The Dutch used to utilize a generic flag. However, political statuses continue to change. The Netherlands Antilles courtesy flag can be used for Dutch Saint Maarten, St. Eustatius (Statia), Saba, and Bonaire (which now has it's own flag, but not required). Aruba and Curacao now have their own independent flags.
Worth noting, the only nations that i have ever heard of requiring cruising vessels to display the courtesy flag are (sometimes) Tobago (not a problem in Trinidad) and Venezuela (Sadly, not a destination I would recommend at present). Flags can add up and get expensive. Particularly, if you visit an island nation for only a few days. Although, they are respectful, not to mention fun to run up the halyard!
As a side note, speaking of fun, several boats like to fly the skull and cross bones. This practice is common in the VI (U.S. And British). However, it can elicit a very negative response from naval and coast guard patrol boats in other areas of the Caribbean. Technically, in accordance with international maritime law, a vessel may still be fired upon, if she is displaying her pirate colors!
Glen D. Hurd
s/v Sundance
The French also have a generic flag. (French St Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, including the Isles de Saintes, & Martinique)
The Dutch used to utilize a generic flag. However, political statuses continue to change. The Netherlands Antilles courtesy flag can be used for Dutch Saint Maarten, St. Eustatius (Statia), Saba, and Bonaire (which now has it's own flag, but not required). Aruba and Curacao now have their own independent flags.
Worth noting, the only nations that i have ever heard of requiring cruising vessels to display the courtesy flag are (sometimes) Tobago (not a problem in Trinidad) and Venezuela (Sadly, not a destination I would recommend at present). Flags can add up and get expensive. Particularly, if you visit an island nation for only a few days. Although, they are respectful, not to mention fun to run up the halyard!
As a side note, speaking of fun, several boats like to fly the skull and cross bones. This practice is common in the VI (U.S. And British). However, it can elicit a very negative response from naval and coast guard patrol boats in other areas of the Caribbean. Technically, in accordance with international maritime law, a vessel may still be fired upon, if she is displaying her pirate colors!
Glen D. Hurd
s/v Sundance
