Until clearance is obtained, a boat must fly the yellow'Q' flag. However, it is hoisted only after the appropriate authorities have granted clearance. Therefore, when a flag of another nation is flown, it usually must displace one of the flags displayed in home waters. There are only a limited number of positions from which flags may be displayed. On a sloop, the private signal may be flown from the starboard rigging, either below the burgee or alone.Īs a matter of courtesy, it is appropriate to fly the flag of a foreign nation on your boat when you enter and operate on its waters. On a multi-masted boat, the house flag or private signal is flown at the head of the aftermost mast. Never fly a flag which is the same or could be confused for one of the letters of the alphabet. House flags may be flown on the same halyard in which case they should be flown in order of seniority. (The rule is: the private signal and burgee follow the sailor, not the boat.) The signal may be flown day or night, but is not displayed when another sailor is in command. House flags are flown at the port spreaders and serve to indicate membership of associations such as a yacht club, or they are a small, custom-designed and custom-made flag that carries symbols standing for the owner, so it can basically be anything. Remember that flags are 'worn' by a yacht and 'flown' by the owner.Īpart from the ensign, flags commonly worn by a yacht comprise a burgee, a house flag(Private Signal), a courtesy flag when in another country and (if racing) a racing flag.īefore getting to the ensign, here are some general conventions for the minor flags: It does well to remember that the rules originated in Britain and have been slightly changed by other English-speaking countries. For the benefit of the sailors who would like to observe the correct etiquette, following are some of the rules.
They can signal nationality, maneuvering situations, club affiliation, office held or other situations. Although often not appropriately respected, if you want to be considered a seasoned sailor, you will do well to observe and perpetuate the pride in old traditions.įlags are signals and each one says something specific about your boat. Flag etiquette on a sailing boat is a tradition that has been handed down to us by generations of sailors and other mariners.
0 kommentar(er)
