Flag and Etiquette
Committee
Flag FAQ

How Do You Fly a State Flag on a Boat

United States Power Squadrons believes that a state flag should not be flown on a vessel unless the vessel is state owned (where the flag would be flown as a house flag or private signal), the governor is embarked (where the flag would be flown as an officer flag), or some state business is being transacted on board (where the flag would be flown as an officer flag).

Flags are worn on vessels to convey some type of specific information about a boat or its personnel. Just like you wouldn't fly a national ensign from the stern of your vessel for patriotic reasons (the national ensign worn identifies the country of registry—which is not necessarily that of the owner or operator), you shouldn't fly a state flag just because you live in or like a particular state.

Some states have, however, passed laws that prescribe how the U.S. ensign and state flag should be worn on recreational boats.  One such state is Maryland (the exact same language is used by other states with only the state name changed—Washington and Arkansas are two examples.)

Use of the U.S. Ensign and Maryland Flag on Recreational Boats

 

Note: This section does not cover the use of yacht club burgees, owner's private signals, U.S. Power Squadron flags, U.S.C.G. Auxiliary flags, foreign flags, or social and courtesy flags. Rules for these are well established and may be found in existing literature. The U.S. Ensign with a canton of 50 stars (as the U.S. flag is called while in nautical use) and the U.S. Yacht Ensign, with a canton of 13 stars, are interchangeable on all types of recreational vessels while in national waters. Because the preferred location for the U.S. Power Squadron flag is also the starboard spreader, it may be flown beneath the Maryland flag.

6.01 The U.S. Ensign and the Maryland flag are normally flown from sunrise to sunset. However, at most yacht clubs "colors are made" at 0800. This timing is proper when in the company of other boats simultaneously making colors. The U.S. Ensign is flown first and lowered last.

6.02 If the Maryland flag is flown on sailing vessels:

Sloops, cutters, and schooners

While underway - sailing vessels with one mast should fly the U.S. Ensign at the stern staff, or two-thirds of the way up the leech of the mainsail (or at the top of the leech, if gaff-rigged). The Maryland flag should fly at the starboard spreader, or on the forward mast of a schooner.

While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag from the starboard spreader

Yawls and ketches

While underway - The U.S. Ensign should fly at the stern staff or at a position two-thirds up the leech of the mizzen sail (or at the peak of the leech of the mizzen sail, if gaff-rigged). The Maryland flag should fly at the starboard spreader ("at the starboard spreader" means the spreader on the most forward mast if more than one and from the most outboard hoist of that spreader).

While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag from the starboard spreader.

6.03 If the Maryland flag is flown on motorboats:

While underway and at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag may be flown from the forestaff in lieu of a yacht club burgee.

Motorboats with auxiliary masts should follow the rules for sailboats.

It is important to point out that no matter how these laws read, the USPS ensign should never be flown on the same halyard as a state flag.  Since the state flag is considered a private signal or officer flag when flown on a boat, it is not superior to the USPS ensign.  If it is necessary to fly a state flag on the starboard halyard, the USPS ensign should be removed.

It should also be noted that while the U.S. Flag Code does not provide penalties for certain flag conduct, or may not govern certain practices, state laws may do so.  Therefore, it is advisable to be aware of the applicable provisions of state law as well a federal law.

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