FLYING OF FLAGS AND EXHIBITION OF

SIGNS BY VESSELS OF THE CROATIAN

MERCHANT NAVY

The flag of the Croatian merchant navy is identical with that of the Republic of Croatia. It is flown from the stern flag-staff or the gaff, i.e. on the mast (the right yard arm). It is normally flown from sunrise to sunset when clearly identifiable: while entering or leaving port, while staying in a port or an anchorage, in sight of naval vessels, fortifications or signal (observing) stations, while exchanging messages (signalling), while navigating through channels or narrow straits, in foreign territorial seas and internal waters as well as on demand by another vessel (station). When entering port between sunset and sunrise the flag has to be lowered after having received permission to establish contact with the shore.

Vessels (yachts) booked in the registers of the Republic of Croatia may fly the flag of their city, port of register, region or "županija" (district) on their bow mast or flag-staff. When entering the territorial sea of a foreign country they replace it with the flag of that country as a sign of respect.

A naval vessel of the Republic of Croatia is paid respect to by lowering the flag to one-third of the mast. The flag is raised again after the naval vessel has replied in the same manner (by lowering and raising the flag).

On festive occasions, state holidays or if so demanded by a harbour master's office, vessels (yachts) are solemnly dressed (gala).

A small ornamentation (gala) consists of the flag of the Republic of Croatia flown on the stern flag-staff, a flag on the bow (the flag of the city or port of register or that of the region or "županija" /district of domicile/), and a flag on the mast (either the flag of the Republic of Croatia or of a club).

A large ornamentation (gala) dressing consists of the flags used for small ornamentation plus strings of International Signals Code flags suspended from the bow flag-staff over the mast head to the stern flag-staff.

State flag is flown at half flag-staff as a sign of mourning.

Vessels of foreign register act in a similar way except that they fly the flag of the country of register instead of the Croatian flag.