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Safety

What does a yellow flag mean on a boat?

Short answer

A plain yellow Quebec flag means the vessel is healthy and requests free pratique.

In the International Code of Signals, Quebec is a single plain yellow flag. It is commonly associated with quarantine/pratique: the vessel declares itself healthy and requests clearance. Do not confuse it with yellow special marks in buoyage, which are navigation marks rather than signal flags.

Sources and scope

Reviewed by Richard Moore on . This answer is scoped to united kingdom and general recreational seamanship; check the current chart, publication, local rules and official operational guidance before acting afloat.

Quick check

What does a yellow flag mean on a boat?