Courtesy on the Seven Seas

How much of a sailor are you?  Are you up to date with your nautical knowledge?  Whether you are from Florida or Japan, boating courtesy is a near-universal concept.  Visiting the port of a foreign country should be an exciting experience, but keep in mind that there are rules and regulations that one should always follow to provide a great experience for all involved.

Take a look at some of the "no-no's" that could end up angering your fellows sailors and potentially incurring the wrath of your port hosts.

Slow Down for Others

Travelling near other boats should mean that you slow down so that no wakes are created; groups could be enjoying a day out on the calm waters, fishing or trying to travel safely.  Don't be "that guy or girl" by disrupting their experience; be courteous and treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Fly the Flag of the Country You Visit

While most boating enthusiasts will generally be flying the flag of the country that they are from, it is considered a courtesy to also fly the flag of the port you are visiting.  Whether it is Aruba, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, or the Bahamas, investing in the appropriate courtesy flags should be considered a priority.  

 
Do Not Litter

Common sense should abound when it comes to dropping non-biodegradable trash into an ocean, lake or stream; if you can't do it on land, what makes you think you can do it on the water? Be respectful and keep any garbage you create in a bag, to be thrown away in a trash can or compost pile at the earliest opportunity.  

Regardless of where you come from, boating truly does have a universal code to follow.  Courtesy flags could easily be considered the most important code of conduct to invest in, so make sure to pick up some for wherever your next port of call may be.