Flag Etiquette

1. Flag Etiquette Able Requirement 2

2. Able Requirement 2 • Demonstrate and explain the proper etiquette for boarding a Sea Scout vessel, landship, and naval vessels. • Explain and demonstrate when and where to display the U.S. ensign, ship, and signal flags on a Sea Scout, Coast Guard, or Naval vessel. • References • “Boat Etiquette" on page 303. • http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-ststr.html • http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html#us-y-ensign Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

3. Boarding a Landship • Officer of the Deck boards ship from starboard gangway • Boatswain boards ship from port gangway. • At the rail they render the double salute, then exchange salutes before laying aboard. • Upon boarding , the OOD enters the quarterdeck from the port side and takes his station on the port side of the bridge, just off the keel-line, facing the bow. • If the assembled crews have not yet boarded the land ship, they do so at this time on the port side. The Boatswain returns the salutes. • If the number of junior ship officers (mates, quartermasters, etc.) is very great, the officers lay aboard on the starboard side and render the double salute. Side honors are not given. • The officers of the Flagship may board with the Skipper. Skippers are generally invited to join the Commodore’s party. Side Honors are given. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

4. Boarding a Vessel • Request permission to lay aboard • The Double Salute • Sea Scouts give the double salute at the rail honoring God (the mast or center of the ship) and Country (the National Ensign flown at the sternpost) • This is the opposite of the Navy double salute honoring Country then Captain. • Upon leaving the boat the double salute is rendered in reverse. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

5. Flag Terminology • Canton – any quarter of a flag, but commonly means the upper left (hoist) quarter, such as the field of stars in the flag of the United States. • Fly – the half or edge of a flag furthest away from the flagpole. This term also sometimes refers to the horizontal length of a flag. • Hoist – the half or edge of a flag nearest to the flagpole. This term also sometimes refers to the vertical width of a flag. • Length – the span of a flag along the side at right angles to the flagpole. • Width – the span of a flag down the side parallel to the flagpole. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

6. Flag Terminology • Badge – a coat of arms or simple heraldic symbol, such as a shield. • Charge – a figure or symbol appearing in the field of a flag. • Emblem – a device often used as a charge on a flag. • It may be heraldic in origin or modern, for example the maple leaf on the Canadian Flag. • Field – the background of a flag; the color behind the charges. • Fimbriation – a narrow edging or border, often in white or gold, on a flag to separate two other colors. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

7. United States Flag or National Ensign • The US Flag is properly referred to on a vessel as the US or National Ensign. • The ensign consists of a field of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows of five stars. • The 50 stars on the ensign represent the 50 U.S. states and the 13 stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies. • Nicknames for the flag include "Stars and Stripes" and "Old Glory" Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

8. United States Ensign • The U.S. ensign is proper for all U.S. yachts, without reservation. • All boats, when at anchor, fly it from the stern staff, if so equipped, only while occupied. • It is flown from the stern staff of powerboats underway on inland waters. • If the powerboat has a mast and gaff, the proper display is at the gaff. • On a sportsfisherman, where a stern staff would be in the way of the action, the practice is to fly the ensign from a halyard rigged just behind the tuna tower. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

9. United States Ensign • On Marconi-rigged sailboats under sail alone, the practice had been to fly the ensign from the leech of the aftermost sail, approximately 2/3 the length of the leech above the clew. • This puts it in about the same position it would occupy if the boat were gaff-rigged, and on gaff-rigged sailboats it is proper to fly the ensign from the peak of the aftermost gaff. • On boats with the boom end well inboard of the stern, it is possible to fly the ensign from the stern staff of a sailboat underway. • If an overhanging boom requires that the staff be off center, it should preferably be on the starboard side. • However, the ensign should never be displayed while the boat is racing. • Under power alone, or at anchor or made fast, the ensign should be flown from the stern staff of all sailboats. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

10. United States Yacht Ensign • The US yacht ensign features a blue canton (the rectangle at the upper corner nearest the staff) having 13 white stars and a fouled anchor. • Originally devised to identify documented yachts to relieve them of certain customs formalities, it is now flown on recreational boats of all types and sizes instead of the national ensign in domestic waters. • Traditionally, the yacht ensign had a 10:19 hoist/fly ratio like the U.S. ensign. Today it is found with a 2:3 or 3:5 ratio. • The yacht ensign must never be flown in international or foreign waters since it has no standing as a national ensign. • Whenever a boat is taken into international or foreign waters, the 50-star U.S. ensign is the proper flag to display. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

11. United States Power Squadron Ensign • The USPS ensign has a red canton containing 13 white stars surrounding a fouled anchor. The remainder of the flag contains thirteen vertical blue and white stripes. • The USPS ensign has a 2:3 hoist/fly ratio. • It is flown as a signal to others that the boat is commanded by an active member of USPS. • The preferred location for flying the USPS ensign is the starboard yardarm or spreader halyard. • It may be worn there day and night. While in U.S. waters, the USPS ensign may be flown instead of the national ensign, and in any position and at any time appropriate to fly the national ensign. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

12. US Coast Guard Auxiliary Ensign • The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Ensign may be worn on a boat that has been approved as a current facility by the organization. • The facility must wear the national ensign whenever the Auxiliary ensign is worn • It is flown both day and night. • By mutual agreement, it may be flown with the USPS ensign by those who are members of both organizations. • In this case, the USPS ensign is flown from the starboard spreader, not in lieu of the national ensign.. • If your boat has a signal mast, fly the blue ensign at the masthead, replacing any other signal. • Fly it at the main truck if your boat has two or more masts. On the other hand, if your boat does not have a mast, fly the Auxiliary ensign at the bow staff or antenna. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

13. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Operational Ensign • The USCG Auxiliary operational ensign is worn in place of the blue ensign on USCG Auxiliary vessels while under Coast Guard orders or on patrol missions. • When under orders, only the U.S. national ensign, the USCG Auxiliary operational ensign, and one officer flag may be flown. • All other signals must be removed. The dimensions of the operational ensign should not be greater than those of the national ensign. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

14. Union Jack • A rectangular blue flag with 50 stars-the upper quadrant of the National Ensign nearest the hoist, properly referred to as a canton. • Worn most often by government vessels—rarely by private vessels. • It may be flown only when not underway at the jack staff of yachts with more than one mast, and only on Sundays, holidays, or when dressing ship. • The exterior dimensions of the union jack should be equal to the respective exterior dimensions of the union on the national ensign being flown. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

15. Yacht Club Burgee • Generally triangular in shape, although sometimes swallow-tailed, the yacht club burgee contains a unique design symbolic of the organization represented. • If your boat is a mast-less or single-masted yacht, fly your burgee from the bow staff. • Boats without a bow staff should wear a burgee at the truck of a single-master yacht. • On the other hand, if the truck is occupied with instruments or other conflicting gear, a pigstick can be affixed to a halyard so as to carry a flag above the truck. • Alternatively, the burgee may be worn at a spreader halyard. • If your boat has two or more masts, fly your burgee at the truck of the forward mast. • Do not display more than one burgee at a time. . Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

16. Association Flags • Flag's of associations, e.g., Sea Scouts, a cruising club or a USPS district, are generally rectangular and may be worn on a spreader halyard. • Many flags or signals are flown from the spreader halyards but—usually—only one should be worn on each halyard. • If your boat is rigged with one starboard halyard and one port halyard, fly the signal of superior dignity on the starboard side and the signal of lesser dignity on the port side. • If you have more than one halyard on each side of your boat, fly the superior signal form the outboard starboard halyard, with other signals to its left, in order of decreasing dignity. • They may be balanced, insofar as possible, starboard and port. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

17. Courtesy Flags • When you visit foreign water, your boat should display a courtesy flag (the civil ensign of the country you are visiting) whenever your U.S. national ensign (the USPS ensign or the yacht ensign should not be displayed in foreign waters) is displayed. (The USPS ensign and U.S. yacht ensign should not be worn in foreign waters) • If your vessel is mast-less, it should wear this "courtesy flag" at the bow, in lieu of a squadron or club burgee, or on a starboard antenna strong enough to support it. • If your vessel has one or more masts, display it single-hoisted at the outboard signal halyard of the main starboard spreader. Move any flag normally flown there to the inboard starboard halyard or, if your boat has only one halyard per side, to the port spreader halyard. • The customs observed in various foreign waters differ from one another. Try to learn the correct procedure for the country you are entering. • For example, is some countries it is customary to fly the courtesy flag only after the quarantine flag (the yellow 'Q' flag) and the vessel has been granted pratique by the appropriate authorities. • Do not fly a foreign courtesy flag after you have returned to U.S. waters. It is not to be used as a badge of accomplishment for having cruised to another country. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

18. Foreign Guest Flags • When a foreign guest is aboard, you may display the ensign of the guest's country from the bow staff or outboard port spreader. • Should more than one such guest flag be appropriate, wear them on spreader halyards from port to starboard in the alphabetical order of their countries' names in the English language. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

19. Alternative Display Locations • Avoid flying more than one ensign from a single halyard or antenna. • When the preferred positions for an organizational burgee or officer flag are not available, you may fly these from the spreader halyard, with more than one on a hoist if necessary. • In such instances however, you must observe the proper order of precedence. • If you must multiple-hoist these flags, no more than one flag of the same type or stature may be flown from the same halyard. • Each flag must be senior to the one below it, except that the officer-in-charge pennant may be placed above the officer flag when it is appropriate to do so. • When neither the preferred location nor a spreader halyard is available, a radio antenna may be used. • Never fly any other flag on the same halyard as, or on a halyard to starboard of, a courtesy flag Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

20. Size of Flags • 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 of the boat. • All other flags such as club burgees, officer flags, and private signals 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.) • On 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. • Many foreign ensigns—courtesy flags—sold in stores are not manufactured to correct proportions. • For instance, the flags of all former British Commonwealth countries, including Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands, are correctly proportioned 1:2, i.e., the fly is twice the length of the hoist. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

21. Making Colors • Colors are made each morning at 0800; • At yacht club and similar organization docks or anchorages, this may be signaled by a morning gun. • The national ensign or yacht ensign is hoisted at the stern (or set in place on its staff). • This is followed, as applicable, by a foreign ensign (courtesy flag), a club or squadron burgee, organizational flags, an officer flag or private signal and then by any other signals not already flying, such as a guest flag. • At sunset, colors not properly flown on a day-and-night basis should be retired in reverse sequence, the ensign at the stern always being the last to be secured. • If you fly the yacht ensign (or other authorized ensign) in lieu of the U.S. ensign, raise and lower it as if it were the U.S. national ensign. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

22. Half-Staffing Flags • The President of the United States or the governor of a state are the only authorities who may direct that all national ensigns be flown at half-staff • The length of time at which the ensign is to be flown at half-staff is determined by the deceased person's position and the directive of the president or governor. • This normally lasts from 1 or 2 days to as many as 30 days. • A commodore, commander, civic association president, or corresponding official of a similar organization may order his organization's flag flown at half-staff to honor a member who has died. • A club burgee on a sail or signal mast is a half-staff when it is even with the man spreader or yardarm. • On Memorial day, the national ensign is properly flown at half-staff until 1200. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

23. Half-Staffing Flags • When you fly your national ensign at half-mast, hoist it smartly as high as you can (sometimes referred to as "chock-a-blocked") or "two-blocked"). • Then lower it ceremoniously to the half-mast position. • When you are taking it down at the end of the day, smartly two-block it again and then lower it ceremoniously from there. • When the ensign is at half-mast, all other flags remain two-blocked. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

24. Folding the flag • To fold the flag correctly, bring the striped half up over the blue field. • Then fold it in half again. • Bring the lower striped corner to the upper edge, forming a triangle. • Then fold the upper point in to form another triangle. Continue until the entire length of the flag is folded. • When you get near the end—nothing but the blue field showing—tuck the last bit into the other folds to secure it. • The final folded flag resembles a cocked hat with only the white stars on a blue field showing. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette

25. 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. Able Requirement 2 - Flag Etiquette