Coast Guard (Canada)

These flags came into force in 1962 at the same time as the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Crest which I have also included a copy.

Blue ensigns have been flown on CCG Vessels between 1870 and 1965 with the different official shields, then the red and white maple leaf flag.
Bernard Collin, 03 December, 1999

At the back of the Fleet orders for the use of flags on Canadian Coast Guard vessels are two charts dealing with the sizes of the flags and jacks, abstracted below:

Ship's Length less than 75 feet (22.6 m) 3 national flags, size: 1 foot 6 inches by 3 feet 2 national flags size: 2 feet 3 inches by 4 feet 6 inches 2 jacks, size: 1 foot 6 inches by 3 feet

> 75 feet and < 150 feet (45m) 4 national flags size: 2 feet 3 inches by 4 feet 6 inches 2 national flags, size: 3 feet by 6 feet 2 jacks, size: 2 feet 3 inches by 4 feet six inches

> 150 feet 4 national flags, size: 3 feet by 6 feet 2 national flags, size: 4 feet, 6 inches by 9 feet 2 jacks, size: 3 feet by 6 feet
Phil Nelson 23 December 1999, from Fleet orders provided by Bernard Collin

The personal Flag of a Head of State is to be hoisted and worn continuously at the main masthead, or equivalent position, whenever any of the following personages are aboard:

• a. The Sovereign;
• b. The Governor General;
• c. The Lieutenant-Governor of a province when the ship is in the waters of that province;
• d. A member of The Royal Family (i.e. the family of the Sovereign of Canada)
• e. A foreign Head of State; or
• f. A member of a foreign reigning Royal Family.

At night, the Flag(s) of Head of State may be illuminated.

Flags of Head of State are never put at half-mast.

The hours that are related to hoisting, shifting or striking a Flag of a Head of State are to be recorded in the ship's log.

On the flags of the provinces, it is noted that they are worn on the port yardarm or equivalent position on a provincial holiday if the ship is based in that province and actually in the waters of the province at the time; when the Lieutenant-Governor of the province is aboard provided that the ship is based in the province; and when the Premier of member of the Executive Council of the province in which the ship is situation is aboard.

The Canadian flag on the CCG vessels are half-masted for official mourning when authorized by the Commissioner of the CCG and in the presence of any warship or government ship having their colors half-masted. When a member of the ship's complement has died in service aboard, the directive states the flag may be half-masted to mark the mourning and when a funeral service is conducted aboard the vessel. Half-masting is defined as being hauled up and lowered to a position about 2/3 of the hoist.
Phil Nelson 23 December 1999, from Fleet orders provided by Bernard Collin