First of all, it is important to remember that no flag other than the national flag may be hoisted on board a ship without specific authorisation from the maritime authority. The Breton flag is a courtesy flag and cannot therefore replace the national flag, under penalty of a fine.
The Breton Flag can only be hoisted on the starboard side of the boat and under no circumstances on the port side where only the National Flag can be hoisted. The same is true for the European Pavilion.
You should also know that you can combine the National Pavilion with other pavilions, such as the Courtesy Pavilion or the Owner's Pavilion. "Nevertheless, it is quite rare to see boats wearing this last one" explains Jean-Pierre Clech, member of the Marin Breton Board of Directors. More than half of the boats carry the Gwenn-ha-Du . Whether they are sailing ships, but also shipping companies, they make it an honour to raise the Breton flag at the bow or on the masts. Similarly, foreign ships are not mistaken. As a coutrosia pavilion, they put the Breton flag on. Finally, during the successive maritime festivals in summer and particularly in Brest or Douarnenez, the old rigging is decorated with Gwenn-ha-Du.
Verbalizations are rare. In Finistère, the last procedure was carried out in 2006 in the Concarneau maritime district. The yachtsman had been even for a reminder of the law.
Finally, for the anecdote, the Breton Gwenn ha Du Pavilion, which can be seen floating everywhere on the boats, is not the authentic Breton pavilion. The real Breton Pavilion is a white pavilion with a black cross and dates from the time when Brittany was independent and bears the name of Kroaz Du. "I had the privilege of serving in Queen Anne's Regiment on the 41st e infantry regiment, which has since been disbanded, and we wore the Kroza Du" explains Jean-Pierre Clech.
