Vessels sailing under Tonga 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 Tonga Country Flag is represented by a deep red background. A white square in the upper hoist side corner contains a centered red cross. The red cross is meant to symbolize the country's belief in Christianity. The white represents purity while the red background depicts the blood they believe Jesus shed while enduring his crucifixion on their behalf. The Tonga Country Flag was officially adopted in 1875, making it one of the world's oldest national flags. The color scheme of the square and cross was changed in 1975 due to it's exact duplication of the flag of the Red Cross, when this incarnation was officially adopted.
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