Flag of convenience?

[brucechase]

The Disney ship is not American. I knew that and I didn't care. I never thought anything was misleading about them flying the US flag in port. I really don't understand some of the hoopla over this, but I have a great idea.

If everyone is so upset about this, then please don't go. This will save some room for me for future cruises and bring the price down (law of supply and demand).

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Not sure when we started talking about the flag flying in Port Canaveral, but here is a picture clearly showing that DCL follows American Legion flag flying standards at the terminal, and then flying the "courtesy" flag on the bow.

 

[Remember_the_magic]

Another fact i didn't know does disney fly 4 flags for its call-letters?

Cruise ships are identified by four call-letters, so four flags will be mounted on the mast, spelling out the call-letters from the top down. Some ships have individual ways of using flags. United States Lines' Patriot, for instance, flies a flag at the jack staff (bow) when approaching a port to help show the captain the wind direction. But will just any flag do? Captain Buz Radican flies "R" (Romeo, and here, also for Radican).

 

[Capt_BJ]

Another fact i didn't know does Disney fly 4 flags for its call-letters?

Cruise ships are identified by four call-letters, so four flags will be mounted on the mast, spelling out the call-letters from the top down. Some ships have individual ways of using flags. United States Lines' Patriot, for instance, flies a flag at the jack staff (bow) when approaching a port to help show the captain the wind direction. But will just any flag do? Captain Buz Radican flies "R" (Romeo, and here, also for Radican).

"all ships" are assigned 4 letter international call signs - going back to the days of Morse code and the distress frequency of 500 MHz. And military vessels still fly their 4 letter call sign from the mast when entering and leaving port. We're traditionalists! I can't recall ever seeing a "merchie" do this.

{today it would be more useful to have the ship's satellite telephone number}

Quiz question: The first ship I was assigned to was call sign NSTF .... can you name it?

Later I was on NMUD

Earlier NRDL

the first letter of the call sign being N is special....how?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

"all ships" are assigned 4 letter international call signs - going back to the days of Morse code and the distress frequency of 500 MHz. And military vessels still fly their 4 letter call sign from the mast when entering and leaving port. We're traditionalists! I can't recall ever seeing a "merchie" do this.

{today it would be more useful to have the ship's satellite telephone number}

Quiz question: The first ship I was assigned to was call sign NSTF .... can you name it?

Later I was on NMUD

Earlier NRDL

the first letter of the call sign being N is special....how?

The "N" signifies that it is a U.S. ship like a aircraft tail # starts with N" signifying that it is a U.S. registered aircraft ? Thats my guess

Rob

 

[BigRed1]

"all ships" are assigned 4 letter international call signs - going back to the days of Morse code and the distress frequency of 500 MHz. And military vessels still fly their 4 letter call sign from the mast when entering and leaving port. We're traditionalists! I can't recall ever seeing a "merchie" do this.

{today it would be more useful to have the ship's satellite telephone number}

Quiz question: The first ship I was assigned to was call sign NSTF .... can you name it?

Later I was on NMUD

Earlier NRDL

the first letter of the call sign being N is special....how?

NSTF..... USCGC STEADFAST
NMUD.... USCGC DILIGENCE
NRDL...... USCGC INGHAM
I'm working on the "N".....

 

[BigRed1]

"all ships" are assigned 4 letter international call signs - going back to the days of Morse code and the distress frequency of 500 MHz. And military vessels still fly their 4 letter call sign from the mast when entering and leaving port. We're traditionalists! I can't recall ever seeing a "merchie" do this.

{today it would be more useful to have the ship's satellite telephone number}

Quiz question: The first ship I was assigned to was call sign NSTF .... can you name it?

Later I was on NMUD

Earlier NRDL

the first letter of the call sign being N is special....how?

Best I can find so far is, the N is the international designator for all US Navy and Coast Guard vessels....not sure if that applies to the vessel or the radio station on the vessel, but I'm still looking....

 

[Remember_the_magic]

Code Flag Juliett - I am on fire and have dangerous cargo onboard; keep well clear of me.

WHAT IN THE WORLD i found this too.

this is so weird

 

[Remember_the_magic]

Flags on ships are fun to talk about. Did you know that DCL has alot of little things they do that not many people know about.. Check it out http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/cruise/Secrets.html
I'm finding alot of info here..
Just thought i'd share...

 

[Capt_BJ]

Best I can find so far is, the N is the international designator for all US Navy and Coast Guard vessels....not sure if that applies to the vessel or the radio station on the vessel, but I'm still looking....

I suppose technically it applies to the radio station .. but yes US government vessels all begin with N

Stop by and pick up a Moon Pie and an RC as your prize!

OK .... next one .... how do you tell ships in the area you have a pilot on board....

bonus ..... many people know "the divers flag" and many states require its display. But is it the signal recognized by the international rules? If a cruise ship has a diver working beneath (not an unusual thing) what flag(s) would they fly?

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Second, as for the literal compliance with the courtesy flag size guidelines while in Port Canaveral, I suspect the "conflict" they raise with domestic U.S. flag display etiquette doesn't go unoticed by those who are knowledgable and sensitive to it, e.g active or retired military, scout troop leaders etc. Whether any have tried or will try to make an issue of it with DCL remains to be seen.

My DH is a US Army Gulf War Veteran. He knows the ships registry is Bahamas.

He knows the American Legion standards (he is a member) are NOT LAW.

He does not have a problem with the flag display on the ship, nor does he feel it is "misleading" to him. He feels it is a courtesy.

 

[lbgraves]

I suppose technically it applies to the radio station .. but yes US government vessels all begin with N

Stop by and pick up a Moon Pie and an RC as your prize!

OK .... next one .... how do you tell ships in the area you have a pilot on board....

bonus ..... many people know "the divers flag" and many states require its display. But is it the signal recognized by the international rules? If a cruise ship has a diver working beneath (not an unusual thing) what flag(s) would they fly?

I believe that the yellow flag is for the pilot. This is from our EB repo. The small yellow flag to the right of the DCL flag was up while we were going through the canal.

 

[Remember_the_magic]

The Flag i think is HOTEL- This means...
Code Flag Hotel - I have a Pilot Onboard

This is my guess for the bonus

This is the flag indicating that there is a diver below water. I believe that it is an internationally recognized symbol. The flag is supposed to fly above a bouy that is anchored (to the bottom or to a sea anchor) in the area of the diver’s work. Theoretically, the diver may surface near that buoy / flag and not be in danger of being struck by boats.

 

[BigRed1]

This means Diver Below. (when the ship is stationary)

This means I have a Pilot on board.

This means my ship is healthy and or free from disease.

http://www.maineharbors.com/flag.htm

The internet is wonderful tool!!!
Where do I pick up that RC and Moon Pie?!?!?!

 

[Capt_BJ]

This means Diver Below. (when the ship is stationary)

This means I have a Pilot on board.

This means my ship is healthy and or free from disease.

http://www.maineharbors.com/flag.htm

The internet is wonderful tool!!!
Where do I pick up that RC and Moon Pie?!?!?!

yep the red flag with the white diagonal is the "diver flag" required by many state laws but ALPHA is what's called for in the International rules of the road.

And correctamundo on the others too

To claim your Moon Pie and RC, contact me at the Brevard Fl Zoo .... ask for the train engineer called "Captain"

 

[Capt_BJ]

OK....so why isn't there a "pilot flag" on the ship in "the canal"?

The Panama Canal has a unique set of rules to be followed. And among them is that NOTHING MOVES in the canal except under the direction of a Canal Pilot so I believe the dispaly of the standard "pilot aboard" flag is waived.


I like that Flag site

OK last quiz question. Looking at that site you see a flag called "the third substitute" Triangular white with a center black horz' stripe.

You will see that flag flying many times on a Naval/Coast Guard vessel in port....very seldom at sea but it happens.....why? What does it mean when flown alone?

 

[BigRed1]

yep the red flag with the white diagonal is the "diver flag" required by many state laws but ALPHA is what's called for in the International rules of the road.

And correctamundo on the others too

To claim your Moon Pie and RC, contact me at the Brevard Fl Zoo .... ask for the train engineer called "Captain"

Thank you!! Unfortunately, I won't have time to get by there on this trip and it might be a year or so before we get back. If you run across some on your train that needs it, pass it on to them!!

 

[BigRed1]

OK....so why isn't there a "pilot flag" on the ship in "the canal"?

The Panama Canal has a unique set of rules to be followed. And among them is that NOTHING MOVES in the canal except under the direction of a Canal Pilot so I believe the dispaly of the standard "pilot aboard" flag is waived.


I like that Flag site

OK last quiz question. Looking at that site you see a flag called "the third substitute" Triangular white with a center black horz' stripe.

You will see that flag flying many times on a Naval/Coast Guard vessel in port....very seldom at sea but it happens.....why? What does it mean when flown alone?

That one was tough, but I finally found it..

Means Absence of Commanding Officer.
Finally found it here....
http://www.marinewaypoints.com/learn/flags/flags.shtml

 

[Hygiene99]

Just wanted to say, i have enjoyed the test so far..Thanks Guys
and Gals.
Some other interesting facts would be ok with me!

Oh and on the last cruise before the dry dock, Jenn got to blow the ships horn at noon with the Captain.

 

[lbgraves]

OK....so why isn't there a "pilot flag" on the ship in "the canal"?

The Panama Canal has a unique set of rules to be followed. And among them is that NOTHING MOVES in the canal except under the direction of a Canal Pilot so I believe the dispaly of the standard "pilot aboard" flag is waived.

We didn't move until the pilot flag was raised so I don't know what the red and white flag are not in any of the pictures that were taken that day. I didn't think it was yellow...remembered them saying it had red on it...but that flag was the only different one present.