Are you flagging?

[Les Blackwell]

Liam, et.al.,

The Nautical Ensign is an interesting story. Back in the late 1800s and into the early 1900s, work boats (early steam) were taxed everytime they entered a harbor. Smaller pleasure boats were exempt.However, when the rich enjoyed the larger pleasure craft, many looked like a working boat and to let the harbor know that this boat was not taxable it flew the U.S. Yacht Ensign as prescribed by then U.S. law. In the late 1980s congress resended all flag laws including this one, so you may fly any flag that you wish. Documented vessels have no flag requirements at this time.Several nations (such as Great Britain) have multiple flags that can be flown to identify the ship.Les

 

[Moose]

Flying the Flags

When sailing locally I always fly the Stars and Strips. When cruising, none! I have a documented vessel and unless I know exactly where I am in regards to who's water I am in I do not fly the National Flag. I am very leary of who is out there with us in the Bahamas and Caribean. It is not a trusting world out there as it used to be, unfortunately.

 

[Doug H-36]

The country you are in should be the highest.

When sailing in foreign waters and have a courtesy flag on your starboard halyard. Your country of registration flag or any other national flag should not be flown as high as the couresey flag.Poor manners.Flyng lots of flags is great but national flags should have some respect.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

NATIONAL FLAG DISPLAY HEIGHT

I’ve always understood that national flags should be displayed at the same height.See the following excerpt from the site: http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html"When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height."Does this apply to land-based flags only?Pauls/v The Lord Nelson

 

[Blue Grace]

Ettiquette

Ettiquette, not rules or laws dictates:Ensign on the stern, if in a foreign country, ensign of that country on the starboard side, and higher than your ensign, and if in quarantine, the yellow duster beneath that.Anything else should be on the port side.From my training in the Royal Navy, about 40 years ago.

 

[Barry C]

Star Spangled Banner

Coming from the Balimore-Annapolis area you bet we fly the Star Spangled Banner. We also yell "O" real loud when we get to "Oh say does that Star Spangle Banner yet wave". But that's a Baltimore thing.;D We've tried to get fellow boaters at our marina to start a Yacht Club but no interest. We do have a very old burgee for the North East Yacht Club from North East, Md. but that just decorates the family room

 

[Steve Monro]

Flagging

From my experience in the British Virgins, the ensign is aft and country your are visiting is on the starboard stay. Other "stuff" is on the port stay, or probably better down below.

 

[Juan]

Flag at Stern

I fly the flag at full mast from the stern during the day, whether out sailing, anchored, or berthed. Colors get retired at night.

 

[Tom Hoppin]

For sailboats, flags show when under power

There was a day when sailboats flew the ensign when they were under power (particularly when they have their sails up and ALSO using power) - an indication that they were now subject to the right of way rules of power boats. When under sail alone, the ensign would be taken in to indicate to others that they are under sail only. Then, when entering a foreign port, they would fly the local host country's flag "over" the US flag on a hoist at the spreaders - a protocol acknowledgement that they are in someone else's waters.Ensigns would also fly when at anchor to indicate the nationality of the boat . . . and the anchored "ball" (day) or light (night) would be set to show that the boat is immobile.The US ensign would also be flown to the spreader in US waters as an indication of nationality and national pride - but not a "requirement".Any thoughts on this old practise?

 

[Kurt]

Aye, the Jolly Roger! Kind of...

Being a former Marine Corps Sergeant and a "Pirate 200 years too late" I fly a modified Jolly Roger flag from the mast of my Mac 26. It's a skull with a Marine Corps cover (hat) and crossed M-16 rifles behind it. Always gets a few good laughs and a lot of double looks!Fair skies and following winds,Kurt

 

[endangeredspecies]

Flagging ..Always!

US FLag on the stern, except at night. Burgee on line up to the spreader..always when we are on the boat.

 

[Joe11688]

It is important to display your colors

I always display a yacht ensign on the stern of my boat. I used to attach it to the back stay until I decided to make a Stainless Steel flag staff, and fit it in my stern rail where my mast holding crotch would go when I'm transporting the boat on the trailer. I usually stow the flag in the cabin, when the boat is on the mooring. I also have a flag halyard rig that goes to the top of the mast for a pig stick that I use to display our yacht Club burgee. This pig stick with the burgee is taken down at night, because it can be noisy on a windy night.

 

[Buckshot]

Nice job Les!

Sure wish I had a spot to get "HER" flying as unobstructed as you do. I bled for "HER" I suspect you did too. UDAMAN!!!

 

[ex-admin]

flags

I fly the national flag off my stearn and the Yacht club burgee and my past commodore's flag off the starboard spreader.

 

[Napa Ed]

No Flag

Flags are ok but the fundamentalists can take all the fun out of it. Correct height, correct size, correct hours, correct thoughts. I don't need the grief.

 

[Greg]

As I Remember

Now as I remember when I went to the Maritime Academy, The Yatch Ensign is flown to show that the vessel is 1;a US vessel 2;Has been in only US waters and 3;is not a commercial vessel, thus not subject to port tax. When returning from foriegn waters, and when not in US waters the National Ensign should be flown. Dawn to Dusk, unless lit. It is flown from a pig stick, pole, at the stern, when under power, or at anchor, or at dock. Under sail it is flown from the fly. This used to be easy to under stand, as that would be just under the upper spar of your main sail, today it kind of means 2/3's to 3/4's up the leach of the main sail. Flown at the stern on a pig stick means that you are under power and under those rules of the road. The port spreader is for signal flags, ie; comming into a foreign port you would fly Quebec, the all yellow flag, meaning under quarenteen, needs to clear customs. Have a diver down, fly Alpa, means diver down, the same as the red flag with a white stripe on inland waters. The starboard spreader is for coutesy flags, ie the country you are visiting. How ever when diving I fly the red diver down flag from the starboard spreader, and Alpha from the port spreader. Private signals fly a top the main mast, yatch club flags from the fore mast head. Since our boats only have 1 mast, the yatch club flag would go at the mast head if you don't fly a private signal. If you fly a private signal then the yatch club flag goes on the starboard spreader. The Union, 50 stars on a blue flag flys from the pulpit staff, a staff about 1/2 the size of your pig stick off the bow, stem, and is only flown on special occassions, and Sundays. And only when the ship is dressed, signal flags in random order, strung from the bow to mast head and down to the stern. 40 years ago NYYC still was very strict with their flag etiquette. Although they were then just excepting the flying of fun flags off the starboard spreader, as long as the yatch club flag was flown at the mast head. Fun flags are ;the ball and chain meaning the wife is on board ; witch on a broom meaning the mother in law was on board ; Cocktail glass meaning party time! etc. Hope this helps

 

[Calif. Ted]

Always fly the National Ensign in appropriate

manner whenever onboard except that I leave it up at night if the boat is "at sea". Won't leave the dock without it and if I forget it's a top priority to get it raised. When some have questioned me regarding flying the colors I just tell them "It's required of documented vessels whenever at sea. And if it ain't it oughta be."

 

[dwells]

Proud American

I fly Old Glory from a pole on the stern mostly around the fourth of July. I am proud of our country and feel it to be an honor to display the flag.

 

[abe]

Always fly our national flag when on board...

on the stern. Grateful to this country and everything it stands for....not perfect, but nothing else comes close.

 

[Frank]

fire princess displays the flag

Daytime the Fire Princess always displays the national flag from the backstay