National Flag on Ships

Explanation 1:

When the definitions of our two laws are combined, all vessels that are propelled by means other than oars (motor and/or sail) and are not very small will be considered “ships.” While our subject matter primarily concerns vessels used by amateur sailors, the term “vessel” is used in the following text in accordance with the definition in the Collision Prevention Regulations at Sea. In the following discussion, care has been taken to highlight not only legal regulations but also customary practices related to the subject matter. Maritime etiquette has been enriched by customs dating back to ancient times, and this is what is most important.

From the perspective of the Turkish flag:

With the exception of military vessels, every Turkish vessel, regardless of type, class, or size, is required to carry the flag while underway.

At the stern, on the deck, along the keel line, on a special mast (pole) attached at a 40-45 degree angle to the rail. The mast should preferably be made of wood.

If the mast cannot be placed on the keel line due to structural features of the vessel, such as cranes, pulleys, davits, ramps, etc., at the stern, it is placed on the starboard side at the stern.

On multi-masted sailing boats, if the flag cannot be carried at the stern, on the keel line, or on the starboard side during navigation due to obstruction (interference) from the rear mast boom or sail, it may be carried on an additional gizmo attached to the rear mast (mizzen mast) cap. For this type of vessel, the flag must be hoisted at its original position at the stern (mast) when in port.

On side-sail vessels, the flag is carried on the aft mast at the foot of the mainsail. The foot of the mainsail is the end of the sail facing the stern.

The flag is not carried on the stern rail.

Torn, worn, or faded flags are replaced with new ones. Old flags are disposed of in accordance with proper procedures and are not thrown away.

Explanation 2:

Today, the randa sail refers to a four-cornered sail with a yard above and a boom below. However, Randa is the name of the side yard sail on the rear mast of square-rigged ships. As large yard-sailed ships gradually disappeared from the seas, the name randa entered our language through a metaphorical generalization.

When the vessel is in port, the flag is hoisted at dawn or no later than 8:00 a.m. and lowered at sunset or no later than 9:00 p.m.

Vessels underway may leave their flags hoisted at night.

Flags are not hoisted on boats that have been pulled ashore. The only exception to this rule is military vessels.

With the exception of military vessels, all boats carry only one Turkish flag. Non-military boats may carry more than one flag only on national holidays.

While underway, no other flag or pennant may be flown except the Turkish flag (except for international signal/code flags used for communication purposes). Once communication is complete, the code flags are lowered. However, yacht club pennants are flown day and night on the special yardarm at the top of the mainmast while underway and in port.

The vessel owner’s private flag/pennant, if any, is flown only in port and only when the owner is on board, on the starboard gaff of the mainmast. If the flag of the host country is flown on this gaff, the vessel owner’s flag is flown on the port gaff and only in port.

Flags belonging to clubs/associations of which the vessel owner is a member are flown on the masthead, if available. If there is no yardarm, special flags are flown on the starboard or port side.

The boat owner’s flag indicates only two situations:

a) If the flag is hoisted, “I am on board,”

b) If the flag is at half-mast, “I am on board, I do not wish to be disturbed.”

c) The flag is only lowered completely when the vessel changes hands.

The quarantine flag (Q flag) is also flown on the starboard gaff of the main mast and has two meanings:

a) I am sailing through your waters without calling at your port (transit), there are no infectious diseases on board, I request/am exercising my right of free passage,

b) I have arrived at your port, there are no infectious diseases on my ship, I want/am waiting for entry procedures to begin.

Once transit through a country’s territorial waters is complete, the quarantine flag is lowered.

Once entry procedures are complete at a country’s port, the quarantine flag is lowered and replaced (on the mainmast starboard gaff) with the flag of the host country.

The flag of the host country must also be respected. As the name suggests, this flag, known as the Courtesy Flag, should be proportionate to the length of the vessel so that it is pleasing to the eye, easily visible from a distance, and replaced with a new one as it becomes worn or damaged.

Except in emergencies or when communicating with other vessels, no flag, ensign, or pennant other than the quarantine flag and the flag of the host country may be flown on any of the gaffs while underway.

Vessels with foreign guests on board may, as a courtesy, display the flag of the aforementioned country on the port gaff..

The flag is referred to as the lowest flag. On boats with multiple masts, the flag is displayed on the lowest mast.

The flag cannot be painted on the interior and exterior surfaces of boats (hulls, living quarters, cabin edges), affixed as foil, or depicted; in other words, the Turkish flag cannot be painted or depicted on any type of object. The only place where the Turkish flag can be painted is on the rudder of civilian aircraft. However, even there, it can only be painted by drawing the crescent and star correctly on a white background, without adhering to the legal proportions (1×1.5).

As a general practice (custom), and with some exceptions, national flags are not carried on competing boats; class flags are carried in the places specified by the competition rules. However, if the race passes through the waters of other countries or ends in another country’s port, it is natural that the national flag must be carried along with the quarantine flag in those waters.

Considering the common definition of the laws, it is understood that small speed boats such as rowing boats are not required to carry the flag.

The Turkish flag belongs to all citizens of the Republic of Turkey, not to the vehicle or owner carrying it; it is a common asset and must be carried with respect and care. It is not acceptable to carry it torn, holey, frayed, faded, or painted on the ground, vehicles, roofs, walls, or in imitation shapes.

While there is no standard for the size of the flag a vessel should carry, it is expected to be proportional to the vessel’s length. For example, a customary flag length measurement can be provided. Accordingly, the flag length is selected as 2.5 centimeters (approximately one inch) for every 30 centimeters (approximately one foot) of the boat’s length. For example, the length of the flag carried by a 15-meter boat will be 1.25 meters. However, smaller flags may also be carried in rough weather or on high-speed vessels.

The standard dimensions of the Turkish flag are set as “length = width x 1.5.” The length increments are 50 centimeters and intermediate sizes. Accordingly, flag sizes will be, for example, 75, 105, 120, 150, 225, and 300 centimeters. In this context, instead of the flag calculated as 1.25 meters in the above paragraph, it would be appropriate to carry a flag that is one size larger, i.e., 1.50 meters in length.

It is common practice to calculate the size of the flag displayed at the top of the mast or on the gaff as half the size of the flag displayed at the stern.

The provisions of the Turkish Flag Law and the Turkish Flag Regulation shall apply to the implementation of the above-mentioned and partially customary matters.

Explanation 3:

Knowing which vehicles the flag can be carried on is important in order to prevent its misuse. The Turkish flag can only be carried on six types of vehicles:

The President’s official vehicle,

The governors’ official vehicles,

The district governors’ official vehicles during national holidays and border meetings where the governor is not present,

Official vehicles used by our ambassadors abroad in the countries where they are stationed,

Ships/boats, and

Civilian aircraft, provided that the flag is painted only on the rudder.

The Turkish flag may not be carried on any other private or official vehicle other than the six types of vehicles listed above. Additionally, actions such as painting it on objects, using it as a cover, hanging it on mudguards, doors, ceilings, or windows, painting it on vehicle license plates, exposing it to mud and dirt, or using it as a brake light or rear window shade are inconsistent with the respectful and careful use of the flag.

Prepared with the contributions of Teoman Arsay.

Source: Information sourced from the Amateur Sailing Federation’s official website and wikiderya.org.