Flags
Conveying information and bringing life, color to boats
Flags bring color and movement to a boat. It’s fascinating how even a small burgee flapping at the masthead can add life and interest to a boat. But flags also communicate information on several levels, of course, and are used singly or together to convey code messages—many of which are internationally recognized.Centuries of maritime use have resulted in a flag etiquette governing the position in which flags should be flown and the times of their use. This etiquette is not universally known or adhered to, but for those who care, here are some pointers:Old Glory and other national ensigns should be worn at the stern staff or from a position two-thirds up the mainsail leech. Gaffrigged sailboats may also wear it from the afterpeak while they are underway.However, boats that are racing should wear neither the ensign nor a triangular burgee—only a rectangular racing flag.Boats outside U.S. territorial waters should fly only the Stars and Stripes, not the U.S. Yacht Ensign, which is the Betsy Ross flag with a ring of 13 stars surrounding a fouled anchor. The use of the latter ensign within U.S. territorial waters was originally restricted to the elite on documented yachts, but it’s now flown on all sizes and makes of boats, seemingly without penalty.A club burgee should be worn at the masthead or from the starboard spreader beneath the courtesy flag of any country you’re visiting.Fun flags should be worn at the port spreader.Racing-yacht battle flags are worn halfway up the forestay.Racing-yacht-class pennants are worn on the backstay.And if you’re a stickler for etiquette, you’ll know that flags are worn by a yacht and flown by the owner.On July 4 and other days designated by the authorities, you can dress ship with flags of the International Code from bow to stern. Use only code flags to outline the silhouette of your boat— the ensign, burgee, and other flags are worn in their usual places. Following is a recommended sequence for a balanced display of color, from the bow. The flags are grouped in threes here only for easier reading: AB2, UJ1, KE3, GH6, IV5, FL4, DM7, PO third substitute, RN first substitute, ST zero, CX9, WQ8, ZY second substitute.The times at which flags are raised and lowered are as follows:
- The national ensign is hoisted at 0800 and lowered at sunset. It may be hoisted earlier, however, if you’re leaving port in daylight.
- The burgee should be hoisted and lowered at the same time as the ensign, but many owners prefer to leave the burgee flying day and night, as long as they are on board.
