VEB FISCHKOMBINATE ROSTOCK & SASSNITZ.

D362 — *image by Volker Moerbitz Keith, 7 February and 30 October 2001; illustration note also includes 2002*

D363 — *image by Jens Pattke, 3 February 2002*

F200 — *image by Eugene Ipavec, 8 March 2009*

F320 — *image by Eugene Ipavec, 8 March 2009*

F322 — *image by Eugene Ipavec, 8 March 2009*

M597 — *image by Eugene Ipavec, 16 April 2009*

R297 — *image by Eugene Ipavec, 18 March 2009*

The 1946–50 flag is International Code C with a right-angled cut in the fly and approximate proportions 3:2. The cited regulation of 17 November 1946 required German and ex-German vessels under Allied Control Authority to fly it at the masthead, prohibiting a stern ensign or bow jack.

DFK Rostock’s 1950–52 emblem appears to read VEREINIG VOLKSEG BETR. D FISCHW, expanded as Vereinigung Volkseigener Betriebe der Fischwirtschaft. The white flag field is assumed from an emblem-only source.

The website dates F318 to 1952–55 and F319 to 1955–59. Both are shown as emblems rather than actual flags, so the white fields are assumed.

The 1959–62 flag is white with German black, red and gold diagonals forming a saltire, the ascending diagonal in front. Black letters D, F and K occupy the hoist, top and fly. It lacks a state emblem, despite that emblem’s introduction on state and merchant flags in 1959.

The later DFK flag adds the GDR emblem at the centre. One version keeps the emblem wholly on the saltire; the other has a larger emblem extending beyond the crossing, which Rosanoski considers incorrect in its source. Introduction is given as 1962, with the website dating D363 to 1962–70, though a later FOTW label calls it “Flag 1973”. The common DFK flag is reported for both fleets.

This Rostock version uses FKR, explained by VEB Fischkombinat Rostock. The website gives 1970–90, whereas the FOTW account begins in 1973. The 1978 change to VEB Fischfang Rostock apparently did not alter the initials.

The post-1990 Rostocker Fischfang-Reederei flag has a white field with two diagonals in national colours, the ascending one in front, and no GDR emblem. Black R, F, F and R occupy hoist, top, fly and bottom; Fischfang is split to make the arrangement symmetrical.

Mecklenburger’s white flag likewise has national-colour diagonals, ascending in front, with black sans-serif M at the hoist, H above and F at the fly. Its date follows the differing 1991/1993 company accounts.

Sassnitz’s version has the saltire and state emblem with FKS initials. It is dated 1962–90 in one account and introduced in 1973 in another. The name changed from VEB Fischkombinat Sassnitz to VEB Fischfang Sassnitz in 1978.