[4] Under colonial rule, the Bahama Islands used the British Blue Ensign and defaced it with the emblem of the territory.

Instead of choosing a single winning design, it was decided that the new flag was to be an amalgamation of the elements from various submissions.

The gold alludes the shining sun – as well as other key land-based natural resources[5] – while the aquamarine epitomises the water surrounding the country.

Under the Law on Merchant Shipping Act 1976 (amended in 1982), any domestic or foreign vessel – regardless of country of origin or place of registration – can be registered in the Bahamas "without difficulty".

[14] This came to light in November 2002, when the Greek oil tanker MV Prestige flying the flag of the Bahamas split into two and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off the north-western Spanish coast.