Vessels sailing under the Isle Of Man Country Flag are required to have on board this flag as part of flag state requirements that derive from maritime regulations in the International Code of Signals and the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. These codes are published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as an ongoing effort to reinforce maritime safety procedures and communications to the international maritime community. Fleet management companies and ship owners are responsible to ensure that each vessel in their respective fleets have the appropriate flag signage onboard to be in compliance. This flag is used to identify the flag state a vessel is sailing under and to communicate with other vessels under the provisions of the International Code of Signals.
The Isle Of Man Country Flag is represented by a red background. Centered and prominent on the flag is a representation of three human legs, joined at the upper thigh. The legs are bent 90 degrees at the knee and arranged in a circle with one facing downward toward the bottom of the flag. The feet are slightly extended so that the toes point forward, making it appear as if the design is standing on it's toes. The primary joints, including the area joining the legs and centered on the flag are colored yellow, forming a yellow Y in the flag's center. The knees are also overlayed with a yellow, organically drawn stripe or bone and each of the feet are bisected by a yellow stripe. A yellow, five pointed star protrudes from or is recessed behind the heel of each foot. The Isle of Man Country Flag is designated to hold a proportional ratio of 1:2, height to length, respectively. The Flag was changed and officially adopted in 1968, but dates back to Medieval Pagan culture.