Ivoirienne de Remorquage et de Sauvetage

Ivoirienne de Remorquage et de Sauvetage (Ivoirian [Company] of Towing and Salvage) is a company from the Cote-d'Ivoire, subsidiary of the French group Bourbon Maritime. The houseflag of IRS is made of three successive rectangles, red, orange and white from the edges of the flag towards its center. This design is strikingly similar to the French pilot flag. I guess the IRS was a former state company, therefore the national colours used on its houseflag.

Quoting the website of Groupe Bourbon:

Founded in 1948 from the merger of several family-owned corporations seeking to rebuild the Reunion island sugar industry in the aftermath of the war, Groupe Bourbon soon became the island's leading sugar group and then a world name. The successive additions of retailing, food-processing and subsequently marine services has developed the group into a structure of international standing. 2001 was the year of a major strategic policy decision when Groupe Bourbon focused its development on two main trades : retailing and marine services. With its payroll of 7 644 employees, the business extends from the Indian Ocean to Europe and from South-East Asia to West Africa and across to Brazil.

Bourbon Maritime develops its business in offshore oilfields, in towage and assistance services and in dry bulk transport. A modern, specialized fleet of over 200 vessels offers clients customized service organized by some 2000 experienced staff-members according to three corporate mottos : efficiency, quality and safety."

Ivan Sache, 30 August 2003