Naval Flags Legislation (Germany)

Marine Dienstvorschrift (MDv) 161/1

Last modified: 2004-06-12 by santiago dotor
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• Naval Flags Legislation

See also:

• Rank Flags of the Federal Navy
• State Flag, State Ensign and War Flag
• Ensigns and Other Naval Flags
• Germany

The navy regulation [Marine Dienstvorschrift] MDv 161/1 (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung 1977) distinguishes between six types of flags:

1. Flaggen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (flags of the Federal Republic of Germany), including the federal flag, the federal service flag and the naval ensign.
2. Die Standarte des Bundespräsidenten (standard of the Federal President)
3. Kommandozeichen (command signs) including the admirals' rank flags and others
4. Unterscheidungszeichen (distinguishing signs) including the group and seniority pennants
5. Erkennungswimpel für Kraftboote (distinguishing pennants for motor boats)
6. Standarten und Flaggen fremder Nationen (standards and flags of foreign nations)

The naval ensign is called Dienstflagge der Seestreitkräfte der Bundeswehr (service flag of the naval forces of the Bundeswehr). It is mainly used by the warships in service. The federal service flag (Bundesdienstflagge) is used by auxiliary ships of the navy, ships leased or chartered by the Bundeswehr (if ordered by the Minister of Defence), and ships not yet in service or out of service. The federal flag is used by ships leased or chartered by the Bundeswehr (unless the federal service flag is ordered by the Minister of Defence) and by training sailing-boats.

Ships using the naval ensign or