German Navy Rocks Boat With Courtesy Flag 'Error'

26th September 2015

MacDara Conroy

The German naval corvette F264 Ludwigshafen am Rhein is flying her Irish courtesy flag on her port yardarm, often considered inferior to the starboard, or 'superior', yardarm

#CourtesyFlag - An Afloat reader contacted us after spotting the German naval corvette F264 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, currently docked at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin.

However, he noticed that the ship was flying her Irish courtesy flag on her port yardarm, often considered inferior to the starboard, or 'superior', yardarm, as dictated by flag etiquette for international vessels.

Is this an intentional insult? More likely it's just a clash of cultures, as flag etiquette has no hard or fast rules, and many nations differ as to how their vessels should fly their flags whether in home or foreign waters.

But what do you think? Has the German navy made a massive blunder? Or is it all just a storm in a teacup? (see our facebook page comments below!)

Der Klanger? A German Corvette docks in Dublin but is her Irish Tricolour a 'Faux Pas' on the Liffey? Read more below:
Posted by Afloat Magazine on Saturday, 26 September 2015

Let us know in the comments below too!

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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