Tradition. Best to follow the new code to be correct!

Transcription

1 Flag Etiquette Before radios, telephones, and Morse Code Flags were the only way to communicate on the water. Flags have always been used as a language to communicate between ships In 1897 an International Code of Signals was adopted So just as there are debates about language so are there about proper flag usage. For example: GW - Man overboard. Please take action to pick him up. AN - I need a doctor. I (India) - Altering course to port 1

2 Tradition Points of honor have been established by 300 years of tradition but new configuration of boats, rigging, fishing towers, portside halyards, and double hoisting are all new to the code. Traditionalists may disagree but many of these flag display techniques are appropriate today. Best to follow the new code to be correct! 2

3 The US Power Squadron developed an updated code in 1998 with the cooperation of: New York Yacht Club US Coast Guard US Coast Guard Auxiliary 3

4 The Three types of Flags and their Order of Prominence National ensign Stars and Stripes Burgee (club affiliation) Private signal 4

5 National Ensign The U.S. Flag flown from place of honor ( stern) to denote nationality Yacht Ensign Designed in 1848 to differentiate private yachts from commercial vessels. May be used as the National flag is but never in foreign waters. (Betsy Ross Flag) When the Continental Congress first established the s tars and stripes as our National flag, it was the Navy who first adopted it. It was the Navy who first made use of the flag (before the other branches of the service) as a national ensign making it the flag of the sea and its right to be flown from yachts was clearly established Flag had 13 stars on a blue field and thirteen stripes. The Yacht Ensign was designed in 1848 by the NYYC at the request of the secretary of the Navy to differentiate private yachts from commercial vessels and therefore the Customs House. 5

6 United States Power Squadron Ensign May be flown instead of the National Ensign but usually from the starboard spreader The Power Squadron was established in 1914 as a non-profit educational organization promoting boating safety, seamanship, and navigation. It is the largest non-profit boating organization in the US. 6

7 Where to Fly the Ensign When not under way, the ensign is flown only from the stern staff. When under way, power boats fly the ensign from the stern staff or from the gaff if they are so rigged. Sailboats have several choices: * From the stern staff * Gaff-rigged yachts may fly the ensign from the gaff peak * Marconi-rigged yachts may fly the ensign from the leech about two-thirds of the way up. Traditionally the captain s domain at the stern of the vessel is the place of honor 7

8 Stern is the Place of Honor Captain s domain is the stern as is the peak of the gaff 8

9 Ensign Flown on a Sloop Rig 9

10 Looking Smart. 10

11 National Ensign (Kazakhstan?) 11

12 Sport fishing boats have evolved a practical custom of flying the ensign from the tuna tower. The Ensign can get in the way of fishing line and gear and as a practical matter it is permissible to center the flag from the tower on a halyard. 12

13 When to Fly the Ensign The ensign may be flown from 8:00 a.m. to evening colors (sunset) whether the boat is at rest, under sail, or under power. Exceptions to this rule: The ensign is not flown by a sailboat that is in a race. To prevent wear and tear, the flag need not be flown when out of sight of other vessels or when nobody is aboard. The flag is flown while entering or leaving a port, even at night. At morning colors, the ensign is hoisted smartly before other flags. At evening colors, the ensign is lowered slowly and with ceremony after other flags come down. An 8 am canon may signal morning colors. Other flags are raised according to their importance. The Ensign is the last to be secured 13

14 How to Fly the Ensign The U.S. Flag should never by flown from the starboard flag hoist (spreader) Only when in foreign ownership in US waters If you leave the boat before sunset remove the ensign if you won t be back by sunset Don t fly the ensign from the backstay Don t fly state flag from the stern Don t use flag holder for anything but the ensign Keep the flag taut along its hoist Keep the flag clean and in good condition 14

15 The Yacht Burgee The burgee is displayed whenever the ensign is hoisted but may also be displayed separately between morning and evening colors or by day and night, at anchor or underway. On sailboats, the burgee is flown only at the truck (or top) of the (forward-most) mast. We see fewer masthead burgees these days because flying them risks damaging expensive equipment and destroying the flag with chafe. Many sailboat owners install (or adjust) their electronics and the placement of their antenna so that the burgee flies freely. In any event, the burgee is not to be flown from a spreader halyard. On power boats, the burgee is displayed at the bow staff. A Burgee is the flag of a Yacht Club. This is where Chapman and the yacht clubs differ from the USPS who are rather lenient on the subject. Most yacht Clubs follow the Chapman etiquette when it comes to flying burgees. 15

16 Sloops, Yawls, and Ketches Sloop: Burgee at top of mast Multiple Masts: Burgee on Mainmast, Private signal from aftmost mast Mastless Vessel: Burgee from the bow staff 16

17 Club Burgee Flown from Forward Mast Club Burgee Private Signal Power Squadron National Ensign 17

18 Burgee flown from Bow on Powerboat Never fly more than one club s flag at a time. Here we are sitting on a CCA mooring and, therefore fly the appropriate flag. You fly the flag of the event or location you are presently participating in/at. 18

19 On a Powerboat with a Mast Private Signal Burgee Ensign 19

20 Ensign aft, Burgee Forward, Private Signal on Mast 20

21 Power Boat With Mast and Spreaders Private Signal National Ensign Power Squadron or Association Flag Burgee This one is a little different with a spreader on its mast.there are flag options available to the spreader Commodore Snyder of the NYYC when asked about flying the burgee once said to an assemblage, If you don t know where the top of your mast is, don t fly a burgee. 21

22 Flag Sizes! The national ensign flown at a flag staff at the stern of your boat should be one inch on the fly for each foot of overall length. All other flags: Club Burgees, Private Signals, Officer Flags, for use on sailboats should be approximately 1/2 inch on the fly for each foot above the waterline of the tallest mast on the boat. (That is, if the tope of the mast is 30 feet above the waterline, these other flags should be 15 inches on the fly.) Powerboats: these flags should be 5/8 inch on the fly for each foot of overall length. The shape and proportions of pennants and burgees will be prescribed by the organization to which they relate. A union jack should be the same size as the canton of the national ensign being flown from the flag staff. 22

23 Proper size of a Burgee? Sailboats - 1/2 inch on the fly for each foot above the waterline of the tallest mast on the boat. Powerboats - should be 5/8 on the fly for each foot of length. 15 for 30 mast BYC Burgees Available 8 x 12 $ x15 $ x18 $ x 21 $ x 24 $

24 Private Signals A private signal is a custom-designed flag that carries symbols standing for the owner. The private signal may be flown day or night, but is not displayed when the owner is not in command. (The rule is that the private signal and burgee follow the sailor, not the boat.) On multi-masted sailboats the burgee is flown at the head of the forward mast and the private signal is flown at the head of the aftermost mast. On single-masted boats it replaces the burgee at truck On power boats with a mast, the burgee is flown from the bow pulpit and the private signal from the masthead. No mast.it replaces the burgee on the bow 24

25 Flag Officer s Flags A flag officer may display his/her flag day and night in the place of and instead of his/her private signal, or in the case of a single-masted yacht instead of the burgee. So, a single masted boat shouldn t be seen with her burgee, private signal, and officer s flag all up at the same time although USPS says it s OK to fly the Private signal from the spreader. 25

26 Union Jack.or Holiday Flag Should be the same size as the canton on your ensign. Flown on Sundays or Holidays 8am to sundown Only flown at anchor from a bow jackstaff or headstay Make sure the stars are point up 26

27 Pig Stick Attach a small cheek block to the starboard side of the mast as close to the top as possible to hoist the pigstick. 27

28 Shepherd s Crook Lightning Rod Optional block here Masthead plate Brackets to Mast 28

29 Dressing Ship On national holidays, at regattas, and on other special occasions, yachts often "dress ship" with International Code of Signal Flags. The ship is dressed at 0800, and remains so dressed until evening colors (while at anchor only, except for a vessel's maiden and final voyages, and participation in a marine parade or other unique situation). In dressing ship, the national ensign is hoisted at the stern staff (and the Union Jack may be displayed at the jack (bow) staff on government vessels). A rainbow of flags of the International Code is arranged, reaching from the water line forward to the water line aft, by way of the bowsprit end (or stem if there's no bowsprit) and the masthead(s). Flags and pennants are bent on alternately, rather than in any indiscriminate manner. Since there are twice as many letter flags as numeral pennants, it is good practice, as in the Navy, to follow a sequence of two flags, one pennant, two flags, one pennant, throughout. The sequence recommended here provides a harmonious color pattern throughout: Starting from forward: AB2, UJ1, KE3, GH6, IV5, FL4, DM7, PO Third Repeater, RN First Repeater, ST Zero, CX9, WQ8, ZY Second Repeater. 29

30 Code Flags Encircling the Boat Ensigns and Burgees and Union Jack may be hoisted also. 30

31 Signal flags should encircle the boat from waterline forward, to masthead, to waterline aft. 31

32 Code Flags 32

33 Decommissioning of the USCGC Mackinaw 33

34 Where to find Code Flags? West Marine 2 sizes. 12 x 18 $92.99 ($58) 18 x 24 $ ($ 87) Boater s World 12 x 18 $87.99 Gettysburg Flag Works 6 sizes available 12 x 15 $ $ x 24 $ x 24 $ 630 Brewer Banner Designs 12 x 15 $ x 24 $ x 24 $

35 These are NOT Nautical Flags $ 5.95 for a string of

36 Buy a Gas Station! 36

37 The End 37

38 Publications How to Fly Flags $6.9 Chapman Boating Etiquette $11 Barnes & Noble Flags West Marine 12 x 18 $92.99 ($58) 18 x 24 $ ($ 87) Flag Sequence AB2, UJ1, KE3, GH6, IV5, FL4, DM7, PO Third Repeater, RN First Repeater, ST Zero, CX9, WQ8, ZY Second Repeater. 38