Flag staff location??????
- Thread starter woodster
- Start date
US Flag on staff at centerline or slightly to starboard if necessary because the backstay or some other essential boat part interferes.
The modern way to show colors on the starboard spreader in home waters, Club Burgee, Power Squadron Burgee, Club Officer burgee. In foreign waters after clearing customs, Courtesy Flag, then Club burgee etc.
The traditional way to show the club affiliation is with a burgee on a pigstick at the top of the highest mast.
Dave
As much as you know your own patriotic spirit.... you are now in a quandary. Since you can no longer claim ignorance of traditional flag courtesy you must move it to a more appropriate location.... or.. constantly wonder if every boat you pass is ridiculing you for your flag placement.... whether they actually do or not is irrelevant, because YOU now know and that is the price you pay for becoming more enlightened.... heh, heh. You may also suffer from this phenomenon in retrospect.... I know I did... but it will quickly pass and you will soon become the finger wagging, tsk tsking, head shaking, tut tutting sailor who sees another unaware sailor flying his national ensign from the spreader and think "that guy should show more respect for the flag" It's simply the vicious trap of tradition.
While I fly the US flag in the correct location what burns me more than location is condition. I've seen too many flags that are badly faded or torn because the captain left the ensign up while away (and in high winds). Of course I've seen the same condition at business and municipal flag poles as well.
Don't know what happened... but I wish I could make money shilling for Amazon... Actually, if you just google the title you'll find many, many sources for the handbook... Amazon will invariably come up first, as it always does.... another reason to own stock in that company.
I've read that the national ensign should never be flown on a spreader halyard--only from the stern or from the backstay.
Speaking of faded and torn flags: 14 September is the 200 year anniversary of the U.S. national anthem and the Battle of Baltimore. From St. Leonards Creek, past Bloody Point, Bladensburg, and the event that renamed our Presidential residence - Maryland is celebrating American history this sailing season.
There You Go Kermit
The boys in Gonzales would be proud of you.
Hoist that one next time you sail.
The use of flags and signals is governed by convention and tradition which are continually evolving. Growing up as a military kid I have been steeped in the lore and tradition, at six years I joined the Cub Scouts and continued to learn more all the way up to being an Eagle Scout. Then after 28 years of serving and living on military bases it is all pretty well part of me. Ignorance of the conventions does not bother me so long as it seems to be done with respect. I have taken folks to task with issues I thought were blatantly severe. For instance beach towels with the flag printed on them. I saw them in the store, grabbed all of them off the shelf took them to the manager and insisted they all be removed from sale. Another was napkins with the flag printed on them. ANY representation of our flag is the flag how is wiping your mouth with Old Glory then toss it in the trash?
Keep it neat clean and do not fly you cocktail or pirate flag in a place of honor above the US ensign and I am cool with it.
The boys in Gonzales would be proud of you.
Hoist that one next time you sail.
The use of flags and signals is governed by convention and tradition which are continually evolving. Growing up as a military kid I have been steeped in the lore and tradition, at six years I joined the Cub Scouts and continued to learn more all the way up to being an Eagle Scout. Then after 28 years of serving and living on military bases it is all pretty well part of me. Ignorance of the conventions does not bother me so long as it seems to be done with respect. I have taken folks to task with issues I thought were blatantly severe. For instance beach towels with the flag printed on them. I saw them in the store, grabbed all of them off the shelf took them to the manager and insisted they all be removed from sale. Another was napkins with the flag printed on them. ANY representation of our flag is the flag how is wiping your mouth with Old Glory then toss it in the trash?
Keep it neat clean and do not fly you cocktail or pirate flag in a place of honor above the US ensign and I am cool with it.
I actually thought of getting one after posting my last reply. Come sail with me sometime.