Another flag post but with a difference!

T

TheBoatman

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My YC is able to fly a defaced blue!

Like all YC's we also have a club burgee.

We have a very flashy flag pole c/w main mast, yard (1/3rd from the top) with two halyards on each side of the yard and a boom just below the yard heading upwards at 45 degs.

Now for the etiquette question.

Is it allowable to fly the YC burgee from the top of the mast and the defaced blue from the boom, which is well below the mast head?

Sorry for posting yet another flag question - after all these years I should know better, but!

Peter.
 
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British government departments use a variety of blue ensigns defaced in the fly with the department badge, and colonial governments use blue ensigns defaced with the colonial badge. Other defaced ensigns were used by vessels of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, the Humber Conservancy, Custom House, the Board of Trade, Lloyds of London, the Post Office, cable laying ships, and other departments including War Office Ordnance. The flag of Australia and those of its states as well as the flag of New Zealand are defaced blue ensigns. Several yacht clubs are also entitled to fly blue ensigns defaced by their club badge

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The Blue Ensign (dark blue field with the Union Flag in the canton) undefaced is worn masters of vessels in possession of a warrant issued by the Director of Naval Reserves, and by the members of certain yacht clubs

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I would say its a sign of disrespect to wear the national flag below a club burgee and ask the secretary to give it the proper respect it deserves /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
Our club flies the Red Ensign from the yardarm and the burgee from the masthead. Don't say we have it wrong after 60 years??? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
but does anyone really give a 4X these days?

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Some people do. Some people think that if something is worth doing it's worth doing right and believe that extends to flag etiquette. Maybe they are pedantic old farts - but I would not mock them for that. (Not criticising you LiB, of course)

A while ago I had a conversation with some 'bad kids' off a sail training boat who wanted to go into a yacht club to play snooker. They were all wearing baseball caps and were deeply offended when the club asked them to remove their hats. They had never come across the idea and thought they were being criticised and insulted. I said that they were guests in the club and they should respect the wishes of the members. Not sure how convinced they were, but I think the argument is the same. Some people are upset at seeing flag etiquette breached and I feel I should respect that.

I am aware that what may be a bit of coloured cloth to me carries greater significance to others. It’s also quite fun in a strange way to adhere to an ancient tradition.
 
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Quite agree! Bring back Keel Hauling, that's what I say /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

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If you think you deserve it, why not?
 
If the 'boom' is heading up at 45° it's a gaff which is where ensigns are normally flown on gaff-rigged vessels. You wouldn't fly your ensign from the masthead on your boat so why would you do it ashore?
 
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