Clearing Canadian Customs

This is our first time to travel into international waters and there is a very specific and formal protocol that must be followed by boaters. At all times we are to fly on our stern the colors of our home country, which in our case is the US flag. Upon leaving US waters and entering Canadian waters, we are are required to fly the yellow international quarantine flag until such time as we are cleared by Canadian Customs. Only after we have been cleared or “invited” to stay in Canada may we fly the Canadian Courtesy flag. This flag must be smaller in size than our US flag, must be placed forward of our stern and displayed on the starboard side of the boat.