Some sailors wouldn’t leave their slip without flying the national flag or ensign. Others fly burgees or personalized flags. Then there are sailors who don’t like the attention it draws or the sound of a flag cracking in the breeze. Do you fly flags on your boat? What do you fly and how do you fly them? How about some photos? (Discussion topic and quiz by Trevor MacLachlan)
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I fly both the National Ensign and my YC burgee
The National Ensign is flown off the transom and the Santa Margarita Yacht Club (see avatar) burgee is flow from the starboard spreader halyard. I would leave the marina without either.
The National Ensign is flown off the transom and the Santa Margarita Yacht Club (see avatar) burgee is flow from the starboard spreader halyard. I would leave the marina without either.
Always fly the national flag
As a documented vessel it is a requirement and these days of heightened security it make all of those guys with gunboats more comfortable. Also, we always fly the courtesy flag when we travel to Canada. We also have a set of code flags to use when we "dress ship" or want to send a coded message. Last time we were in Canada we also flew Charlie, November, Delta from the port spreader in respect for our host country. When the Canadian custom boat came by one day while we were anchored to find out what that meant I explained that it reads " C eh N eh D eh. I didn't want to have to buy a vowel. ;-)
As a documented vessel it is a requirement and these days of heightened security it make all of those guys with gunboats more comfortable. Also, we always fly the courtesy flag when we travel to Canada. We also have a set of code flags to use when we "dress ship" or want to send a coded message. Last time we were in Canada we also flew Charlie, November, Delta from the port spreader in respect for our host country. When the Canadian custom boat came by one day while we were anchored to find out what that meant I explained that it reads " C eh N eh D eh. I didn't want to have to buy a vowel. ;-)
Last thing........
I do before pulling out of my slip is to go below and get the Stars an Stripes. I have a flagstaff socket on the stern rail and it is always occupied as I go for any sail. frank
I do before pulling out of my slip is to go below and get the Stars an Stripes. I have a flagstaff socket on the stern rail and it is always occupied as I go for any sail. frank
sialboats flying the ensign when under power
Many years ago, I was instructed to fly the national flag from the stern in daylight when under sail AND power . . . and then take the flag down when under sail only. This was thought to add clarity to other boats for right of way situations - - that is whether the sailboat actually is operating under power boat rules. This courtesy seems to have vanished. So, are there rules or guidelines that are still there even if few boats seem to apply them?
Many years ago, I was instructed to fly the national flag from the stern in daylight when under sail AND power . . . and then take the flag down when under sail only. This was thought to add clarity to other boats for right of way situations - - that is whether the sailboat actually is operating under power boat rules. This courtesy seems to have vanished. So, are there rules or guidelines that are still there even if few boats seem to apply them?
A sailboat under power and sail
The rule that addresses how to indicate that you are underpower with your sails up is under Rule 25 Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars--International - it states (e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards. In Canada for inland waters there is a modification that indicates that: f) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel of less than 12 metres in length proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery is not required to exhibit a conical shape, apex downwards, but may do so. I think the same modification applies in US Inland Waters. I have only seen the inverted cone once with a large German Yacht visiting the North Channel of Lake Huron. Perhaps on the coasts it is more common. By the way, I always fly the Canadian flag from the stern and if visiting US waters I always fly the US flag from the halyard to the starboard spreader. My understanding is that this is a legal requirement when visiting a foreign country even though it is called a courtesy flag. I am also proud to fly the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron flag as well as my yacht club burgee. Edit: I just checked Chapman's 64th addition and it has exctly the same wording on page 140 as well as a picture (Figure 4-16). For those that are not familiar with it, Chapman's is a well known bible on piloting and seamanship that everyone should have.
The rule that addresses how to indicate that you are underpower with your sails up is under Rule 25 Sailing Vessels Underway and Vessels Under Oars--International - it states (e) A vessel proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery shall exhibit forward where it can best be seen a conical shape, apex downwards. In Canada for inland waters there is a modification that indicates that: f) Notwithstanding paragraph (e), in the Canadian waters of a roadstead, harbour, river, lake or inland waterway, a vessel of less than 12 metres in length proceeding under sail when also being propelled by machinery is not required to exhibit a conical shape, apex downwards, but may do so. I think the same modification applies in US Inland Waters. I have only seen the inverted cone once with a large German Yacht visiting the North Channel of Lake Huron. Perhaps on the coasts it is more common. By the way, I always fly the Canadian flag from the stern and if visiting US waters I always fly the US flag from the halyard to the starboard spreader. My understanding is that this is a legal requirement when visiting a foreign country even though it is called a courtesy flag. I am also proud to fly the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron flag as well as my yacht club burgee. Edit: I just checked Chapman's 64th addition and it has exctly the same wording on page 140 as well as a picture (Figure 4-16). For those that are not familiar with it, Chapman's is a well known bible on piloting and seamanship that everyone should have.
I WON'T QUESTION YOUR FLAG..
after all, My mother chose to name me Timothy Patrick! I do have a question though- are you sailng down a waterfall, or just a REEEALLY big swell?? I think I pulled a muscle tipping my computer to see it. (what? there's an easier way?). Fair winds, TimCup
after all, My mother chose to name me Timothy Patrick! I do have a question though- are you sailng down a waterfall, or just a REEEALLY big swell?? I think I pulled a muscle tipping my computer to see it. (what? there's an easier way?). Fair winds, TimCup
Ed you probably don't need the flag on the transom.
With that rig we can tell pretty easily where you are from. Nice photo. Bob V
With that rig we can tell pretty easily where you are from. Nice photo. Bob V
I've been flying the National Flag off the Mizzen
topping lift but need to rig a flag halyard for it. Oh Joy is documented, otherwise I'd fly the yachting ensign with the fouled anchor. I've still got to pick up a Canadian flag and some signal flags.
topping lift but need to rig a flag halyard for it. Oh Joy is documented, otherwise I'd fly the yachting ensign with the fouled anchor. I've still got to pick up a Canadian flag and some signal flags.
Nice flag Scott
I have a little one like that which I look forward to flying from the starboard flag halyard when this sucky weather is improved. Speaking as a US Citizen "Our flag has more stripey things than your's", eh? Bob V
I have a little one like that which I look forward to flying from the starboard flag halyard when this sucky weather is improved. Speaking as a US Citizen "Our flag has more stripey things than your's", eh? Bob V
Fly the flag
I always fly a national flag from my transom. Additionally, a Canadian flag from the stbd spreader when in Canadian waters. Although "legal", a yacht ensign (with fouled anchor) is just tacky! For Documented vessels, older protocol calls for a national flag to be flown inport when the owner is aboard. USCG (Ret)
I always fly a national flag from my transom. Additionally, a Canadian flag from the stbd spreader when in Canadian waters. Although "legal", a yacht ensign (with fouled anchor) is just tacky! For Documented vessels, older protocol calls for a national flag to be flown inport when the owner is aboard. USCG (Ret)
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Since I now live in Texas but was born elsewhere, I always fly the Texas flag from the courtesy flag halyard. Most Texans think that Texas is it's own country anyway so I do it as my own inside joke paying respects to the "country" with which I am visiting. I also fly the jolly roger when I am "working"
Since I now live in Texas but was born elsewhere, I always fly the Texas flag from the courtesy flag halyard. Most Texans think that Texas is it's own country anyway so I do it as my own inside joke paying respects to the "country" with which I am visiting. I also fly the jolly roger when I am "working"
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