Ensign
F5. The Reference Layer: Glossary, Units, Signals and Information SourcesDefinition
National maritime flag flown from the stern.
The ensign is the national flag flown from the stern (or the gaff at sea) showing a vessel’s nationality, the visible counterpart of her flag-state registration. By custom it is hoisted at 0800 and lowered at sunset in harbor and flown underway when meeting other ships, entering or leaving port, and when signaled. A merchant ship wears the civil ensign of her flag state; failing to wear the correct ensign or wearing a false one is a flag-state and pratique issue on arrival.