Free Pratique
Permission granted by port health authorities for a vessel to interact with shore after confirming no quarantinable disease aboard.
In practice
Granted by the port health authority on arrival once the Maritime Declaration of Health is signed. The agent typically arranges via VHF before berthing. No shore leave or cargo work proceeds until pratique is granted; some ports issue automatic pratique by signal.
Regulatory detail & full definition
Requested via the Maritime Declaration of Health (form prescribed by IHR 2005). Granted electronically in most ports today; some still require physical health-officer boarding. Without free pratique, the yellow Q flag is flown and crew/cargo may not interact with shore. Port state control and customs can still board.
Related
Source: International Health Regulations 2005 (WHO); FAL Convention
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade.