FLAG ETIQUETTEFLAG ETIQUETTE

Robert F. SapitaRobert F. Sapita

Tower Harbour Yacht ClubTower Harbour Yacht ClubInternational Order of the Blue GavelInternational Order of the Blue Gavel

HistoryHistory

• Flags & Banners Used Throughout Flags & Banners Used Throughout History History – Old TestamentOld Testament– Clou Dynasty 1122 BCClou Dynasty 1122 BC– Europe in Middle AgesEurope in Middle Ages

• KingsKings

• CitiesCities

• GuildsGuilds

– Denmark (1219 AD) Oldest “Colors”Denmark (1219 AD) Oldest “Colors”

• ““Colors” Refers Only To National Flags Colors” Refers Only To National Flags

TerminologyTerminology

• American FlagAmerican Flag

• National National EnsignEnsign

• Yacht EnsignYacht Ensign

FLY

Hoist

Flag Pole / Mast / Staff

Flag TypesFlag Types• NationalNational

– CourtesyCourtesy

• Yacht ClubYacht Club

• OfficerOfficer

• PrivatePrivate

• ClassClass

• CodeCode

Flags are a Language & Placement is the Grammar

Our FlagOur Flag

• Display Governed by Federal LawDisplay Governed by Federal Law

• Always in Highest Place of HonorAlways in Highest Place of Honor• Always to Left of Audience Always to Left of Audience (changed in 1976)(changed in 1976)

• Only Pres. & Gov. Can Authorize ½ MastOnly Pres. & Gov. Can Authorize ½ Mast

• Eagle is the Only Proper FinialEagle is the Only Proper Finial

• National Ensign….8:00am to SunsetNational Ensign….8:00am to Sunset

• First UP & Last Down First UP & Last Down

Nautical/Yacht EnsignNautical/Yacht Ensign

• UnderwayUnderway– At Stern At Stern (Center Preferred or Starboard)(Center Preferred or Starboard)

– Peak of the GaffPeak of the Gaff– 2/3 Up the Leach of Aftermost Sail2/3 Up the Leach of Aftermost Sail– Fishing Boat: Dedicated Staff on Tuna TowerFishing Boat: Dedicated Staff on Tuna Tower

• In PortIn Port– At SternAt Stern

• Size Size – Power: 1” per FootPower: 1” per Foot– Sail: ½” per Foot of Mast Sail: ½” per Foot of Mast

Good GrammarGood Grammar

Bad GrammarBad Grammar

Yacht EnsignYacht Ensign

• 1799 Clear Customs Law1799 Clear Customs Law• 1848 Congress: Display ‘Special Flag’ for 1848 Congress: Display ‘Special Flag’ for

Documented Vessels Port-to-Port Documented Vessels Port-to-Port ( NYYC)( NYYC)

• 1939 Sec. of Navy Recognition1939 Sec. of Navy Recognition

• 1980 Provisions of 1848 Law Repealed1980 Provisions of 1848 Law Repealed

• Never Fly in International WatersNever Fly in International Waters

• Has NO Legal Status as American Flag Has NO Legal Status as American Flag

• Oldest Unchanged Flag in Amer. History Oldest Unchanged Flag in Amer. History

Power SquadronPower Squadron

• Members OnlyMembers Only• Passed Piloting & Small Boat HandlingPassed Piloting & Small Boat Handling• Preferred LocationsPreferred Locations

– Starboard Spreader on SailStarboard Spreader on Sail– In Place of National Ensign on Smaller In Place of National Ensign on Smaller

Boats*Boats*

*USPS is not an agency of USA, best to *USPS is not an agency of USA, best to use some other vertical sparuse some other vertical spar

Courtesy FlagsCourtesy Flags

• National Flags National Flags • When to Fly:When to Fly:

– In Foreign Waters or Port*In Foreign Waters or Port*– Person of that Nationality AboardPerson of that Nationality Aboard

• Placement:Placement:– Starboard Spreader (Sail)Starboard Spreader (Sail)– Bow Staff (Power)Bow Staff (Power)

• DO NOTDO NOT Fly to Show Where You’ve Been Fly to Show Where You’ve Been

* Not just good manners but a necessity in countries that take flag etiquette seriously, e.g., Bahamas!

Courtesy Flags Cont’dCourtesy Flags Cont’d

• Proper EtiquetteProper Etiquette • Improper EtiquetteImproper Etiquette

Yacht Club BurgeesYacht Club Burgees

• Only by Club MembersOnly by Club Members

• Placement:Placement:– Masthead on Sailing VesselMasthead on Sailing Vessel– Starboard Spreader (Sail)Starboard Spreader (Sail)– Bow Staff (Power)Bow Staff (Power)

• Only One!Only One!

Yacht Club BurgeesYacht Club Burgees

• Proper EtiquetteProper Etiquette • Improper EtiquetteImproper Etiquette

Officer’s FlagsOfficer’s Flags

• 8 Flags in Use Today 8 Flags in Use Today (Not Universal)(Not Universal)

• Display:Display:– Day & Night When AboardDay & Night When Aboard– PowerPower

•MastheadMasthead•Radio AntRadio Ant

– SailSail•Aftermost Mast of Two-masted VesselAftermost Mast of Two-masted Vessel•Starboard SpreaderStarboard Spreader

– Club HouseClub House•Flag PoleFlag Pole•Dinning Room Dinning Room

Officer’s Flags Cont’dOfficer’s Flags Cont’d

• Proper EtiquetteProper Etiquette • Improper EtiquetteImproper Etiquette

Other FlagsOther Flags

• Private (In Place of Burgee)Private (In Place of Burgee)

• OtherOther– Owner Absent, Meal Flag, Marlin, etc.Owner Absent, Meal Flag, Marlin, etc.– Racing Code FlagsRacing Code Flags– Class Flags (Bow Pulpit or Backstay)Class Flags (Bow Pulpit or Backstay)– Divers DownDivers Down

•Official is “Alpha”Official is “Alpha”

•Dockery is Most FamiliarDockery is Most Familiar

Signal FlagsSignal Flags

• Alpha-NumericAlpha-Numeric• 1897 British Board of Trade1897 British Board of Trade

– 156 Page Book (Pub. No. 107)156 Page Book (Pub. No. 107)– Required, e. g., Newport – Bermuda Race Required, e. g., Newport – Bermuda Race

• Only From Port Spreader, Absolutely Only From Port Spreader, Absolutely Improper to Fly From Starboard!Improper to Fly From Starboard!

• Dressing ShipDressing Ship– Alpha-Alpha-No, Alpha-Alpha-No,….Alpha-Alpha-No, Alpha-Alpha-No,….– Water to WaterWater to Water

Signal ExamplesSignal Examples

• 1 Flag: Diver Down, Yes, Need 1 Flag: Diver Down, Yes, Need Medical HelpMedical Help

• 2 Flags: Distress/Maneuvering2 Flags: Distress/ManeuveringAD = I am abandoning my vessel which has suffered a nuclear accident and is a possible source of radiation danger

http://www.wingood.com/flagselect.asp

Special SignalSpecial Signal

• QuarantineQuarantine– Fly alone Fly alone

• Starboard Spreader –SailStarboard Spreader –Sail

• Bow Staff- PowerBow Staff- Power

– Replace with courtesy flag Replace with courtesy flag after clearing Customs & after clearing Customs & ImmigrationImmigration

How Bad Can IT Get?How Bad Can IT Get?

Catalina Assoc.Catalina 360Catalina 21CommodoreBVIConch RepublicNew ZeelandCanada

Helpful TipsHelpful Tips

SummarySummary

• Honor, Respect, TraditionHonor, Respect, Tradition

• What’s the ‘Real’ Message?What’s the ‘Real’ Message?

• PrioritiesPriorities– National, YC, Officer, Private, Class, CodeNational, YC, Officer, Private, Class, Code

• National Ensign on SternNational Ensign on Stern

• Starboard Is Side of HonorStarboard Is Side of Honor

• Less is MoreLess is More

ReferencesReferences• Yachting Customs & CourtesiesYachting Customs & Courtesies

by Joseph A. Tringali, 3by Joseph A. Tringali, 3rdrd Edition, 2006, Edition, 2006,Calkins Harbor PublishingCalkins Harbor PublishingLake Park, FLLake Park, FL

• Chapman’s Nautical GuidesChapman’s Nautical GuidesBoating Etiquette, 1990,Boating Etiquette, 1990,by Queene Hooper Fosterby Queene Hooper FosterHearst Marine BooksHearst Marine Books

• United States Power SquadronUnited States Power Squadronhttp://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html