Wave of Allegiance: How to Attach and Display the American Flag on Your Sailboat | SV Ramble On
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- Опубліковано 26 чер 2024
- Who knew there was a right and wrong place to install a flag halyard? Evidently we should have consulted Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling before we started this project.
We also finish installing the wind transducer, since we forgot to put the retaining clip on in the last video and Rich was too tired to climb the mast again.
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Ok, I have been supportive of all your vids. You have been batting 1.000...until now. Sorry to say, but to this Marine Corps Veteran it appears to my eye as if the flag is at half mast. While that is appropriate at certain times, full time is not right. The flag is supposed to be front and center at the highest position. All other flags have an order of precedent. To be port side, or starboard, and only part way up would not be considered correct. Hanging from the stern is fine as that is a very prominent position. Hanging state flags, pirate flags, sports flags, etc would be ok off of the rigging, as long as the US Flag is in the most prestigious position.
Let me start by saying thank you for your oath to fight for our Nation's freedom and liberty. Jeni & I have nothing but the sincerest respect for our Military Veterans. Her father served the Army in Vietnam, and my grandfather the Navy Pacific Fleet during WWII. I knew no matter what I did, I would catch some flack over this and probably should've done my homework before drilling holes in my port spreader.
That being said, after copious research on the subject of proper Flag Protocol before deciding on our current backstay halyard location, I found that this Yacht Club's website had the easiest to understand explanation (with diagrams) of how to properly display the ensign: www.houstonyachtclub.com/OnTheWater/FlagProtocol.aspx
To paraphrase: "A ship’s national ensign is immediately recognizable because it flies farthest aft (the place of honor), but not necessarily from the highest point in the rig. With the possible exception of battle flags, it should be the vessel’s largest flag. Normally the national ensign is flown from a staff on the vessel’s stern. No other flag may be flown from this position. However, it is also permissible on a sailboat to fly it from the leech of the aft-most sail about two-thirds of the way up; or from the peak of the gaff on a gaff-rigged vessel." They go on to say that the Flag should never be flown from the bow, the spreaders, or from the top of the mast.
In U.S. Waters, the starboard spreader is reserved for Club Burgees, Officer's/Vessel Flags, and private signal flags. On Documented Vessels sailing in Foreign waters, only the Quarantine Flag or the flag of the Nation in which you are checking into (once Customs has been cleared) shall be flown from the starboard spreader (which would be higher than the flag of the nation of documentation located at the stern of the vessel). The port spreader is reserved for "Fun Flags" such as the Jolly Roger (which Jeni & I both loathe with respect to the quote-un-quote "Cruising Community"). The port spreader is also the place to fly the national flag of a foreign guest visiting aboard one's vessel.
Our particular scenario for displaying the Stars & Stripes was based on several factors that had to work with our vessel and our rig. We can't have a flag staff on our stern rail due to the fact that one of our upcoming projects includes the installation of a Cape Horn self-steering windvane which would cause the Flag to foul on the blade. Secondly, the traditional 2/3rds up the backstay rule with respect to gaff-rigged vessels would cause the Flag to foul on the boom topping lift. I have no intentions of stitching our Ensign to the leech of our brand new mainsail (which would also foul on the backstay and/or topping lift). We also have a radar tower with various antenna attached just to starboard of the aft centerline, roughly 10 feet above deck level. That left us with a very limited working window with which to honor our Country and our troops.
Again, Jeni & I thank you for your service to our country. And, thank you for not giving us a thumbs down on this one, and we hope you continue to watch and comment. Sometimes on video my longwinded explanations (such as this one) end up on the cutting room floor during the editing process for UA-cam. Based on the traditional rules of thumb for flag etiquette, I'd very much appreciate any input on the best place that you've found to display Old Glory on your boat.
@@svrambleon I probably should have been more clear on my point of contention. It was just an eye test. Believe me, I have done more colors than I can count. Both ways. All from stationary flag poles. Truth be told I have done a ton of reading on the issue. Sometimes the descriptions counter each other. Especially if you really get down into the whole thing. It gets very convoluted. Like I said, to my eye, it just looks off. I am not getting on you. Your boat. Your choice. I hope I didn't come off as someone getting on your case. Sometimes, all you can do is the best you can do. I appreciate the fact you at least put a US Flag up. Many boaters do not. Your choice was a difficult one. I applaud you going out on a limb on this vid, knowing you were going to get some backlash. FYI....as for me....stern. It fits and it works. No real problems. I appreciate the response. Take care. Fair winds.
Nobody cares what a Marine thinks. You have to be dumb to join the military.
On private vessels, the country of registration flag goes at the stern on a dedicated staff. The country whose waters the boat is in goes on the starboard lower spreader flag halyard, raised to the spreader, with any communication flags attached below it. Shapes are raised mid-mast on a halyard before the mast. Regardless of what your ‘eye’ is telling you, there is an international standard that US vessels must also adhere to.
Dude, flying the colors off the backstay.. I rarely see it, but when I do: Hats off. So proper. Well done. Also, nice touch consulting the Bible (cough) I mean, Chapman.
Hey man, I've been in the Navy for 25 years and I think the flag looks great on the backstay. Nice work. Can't please everyone man.
Thanks for the comment Michael, and especially thank you for serving in our Military. So true that you can't please everyone, but we're pretty pleased, and that's all that really matters. Thanks again for watching.
Flags, you've opened a can of worms. First I'm an Aussie 🇦🇺 but i sail an Australian flagged vessel in the Mediterranean. Here's the rules.
Stern ... the flag of the nationality of the vessel ... you must be able to dip it to salute military vessels.
Starboard ... courtesy flag of the country you are in OR the country you are entering. Eg as you leave Turkey and enter Greek waters, exchange the Turkish flag for the Greek. The yellow quarantine flag goes underneath it indicating you need to check in to a Greek port. It's removed once you have cleared customs.
Port side ... flags of ships master or crew if not the same as nationality of vessel. Under that you can fly a burgee of the club you are a member of.
See ... simple. 🤓⛵
First time commenting. I would have thought you would mount it facing astern not forward so it’s at the back of the back stay. Love your channel BTW.
I thought I would give a little bit more info. This is from years in the Marine Corps. This applies only to the USMC and Naval facilities that I have done colors on. Up at 0800 down at sunset. When the 3 Marines do colors they will be in Dress Blue uniform. It can be in camo, if the weather is foul. The 3 Marines will usually consist of 2 who are of E1-3 and an NCO. When the National Anthem starts the flag os to go up as quickly as possible. The Marine who is raising the flag will move with such speed as to be almost a blur. The other Marine will hold the lanyard to stabilize it so that it goes up smoothly. It is a precarious job and potentially painful. Hold it somewhat tight but not too tight. Also he will have a piece of cardboard tucked into the palm of his left hand, as the left hand will be higher than the right. The cardboard is there to protect from serious rope burns. I have seen guys forget the cardboard have burns so severe their hand wasn't usable for days. Once the flag is at the top you tie off and stand at attention until the Anthem is complete. When the flag is lowered, the cardboard is not necessary as the flag should be lowered slowly. We were taught to lower it to the time of the Anthem so as the Anthem ended the flag was at the bottom. We got pretty good at the timing. On days where she was to fly at half mast, different story. Flag did not go up quite as fast. Half normal speed. Once she reached the top, the flag stayed there until the anthem was complete, then lowered. Was always fun trying to guess the half way point. Not an easy guess when you are standing at the base looking straight up...distance is distorted. Nope no mark on the pole to tell you where the halfway point is. Just thought I would share. Fair winds
Thank you, I forgot to mention our cousin on my wife's side; Marine Corps in the Persian Gulf (retired). I'm going to run this past him as well.
There are special flag clips. They only goin one way so wont come out they are metal..
Its like an open hook on both ends. It comes to a flat point on both ends and corresond s to one on the flag and slides in.
You need an American flag 4x the size of that
How did you haul yourself up with the halyard? Did someone winch you up?
I use an ascender and Grigri on a dedicated climbing rope tied to the halyard. Search solo mast climbing for more details on the setup.
How high up the spreader?
2/3rds hoist is traditionally the height of a flag on the backstay.
what brand is your boat.
1977 Tayana 37
About windvane and birds prevention, why not a vertical windvane, then birds dont have a temting airfield.
Nice way to fly the colours. Wrong flag BUT wait I live in a different country. My Bad.
No worries Doug. When you come to visit our boat, I've reserved the port spreader halyard specifically for flying YOUR National Ensign...
@@svrambleon Ah, your so thoughtful.
@@dougrutherford9261 Well, you'll have to check with Jeni first to make sure I've cleaned up my space at the Nav station before we have any guests aboard, but you're always welcome none the less.
lol
Sorry mate, the flag should be on a flag pole on the stern. Not hanging half way up the mast. Have a bit of pride.
BTW, wrong flag. From Oz.
Hey Lars, thanks for watching and commenting. Please see my reply to bilyd333 with regards to the stern staff thing: "We can't have a flag staff on our stern rail due to the fact that one of our upcoming projects includes the installation of a Cape Horn self-steering windvane which would cause the Flag to foul on the blade."
Our plan is to visit Oz in the coming future, and rest assured, we're holding a special spot just below the starboard spreaders for YOUR flag...
@@svrambleon Ok, I served with the RAN and I hate to see the country's flag been disrespected. I can see you might have a problem with your stern, but can you not put a flag stuff at the corner curve away from the windvane.