"ملف ٣٤/٤ المياه الإقليمية الكويتية" [و‎‎٥‎٠] (١١٢/٩٩)

CONFIDENTIAL
memorandum No. 1548-S dated 26th August, 1947 regarding the flying
of local national flags by merchant vessels visiting the Gulf
Shaikhdoms.
2. The matter has been further considered in consultation
with His Majesty's Government. -The position seems to be that a
ship always flies (e.g. at its stern) the flag of the State where
it is registered or that of the State of which its crew are nation
als and may sometimes also fly the flag of the State of which the
Charterers are nationals. As an act of courtesy a ship may in
addition fly at the foremast the flag of the country of destinat
ion when coming into one of the latter's ports or anchorages.
This it is understood is often done as a gesture of courtesy to the
local sovereign or Ruler.
\
3. So far as the Gulf Shaikhdoms are concerned His Majesty's
Government feel that there should be no objection to the local
flags being flown at -the forem^ast of incoming ships as an act of
courtesy but it would be better for this to be done only when ships
are approaching and entering ports or anchorages and not in territ-
crial waters as such. There is no objection to your informing
the Shaikh of Kuwait at your discretion as well as Gray, Mackenzie
and'any other shipping companies of His Majesty's Government's
views as outlined above.
7
V.
jor M.P. O'C Tandy,
Political Agent,
KUWAIT