Flags at Half Mast - UNESCO Commemoration of the First World War Centenary

[Baddox]

This should be of interest to anyone out on the 28th.

From https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320975/475_WWI_UNESCO.pdf

"Notice to all Ship Owners, Ship Operators, Terminal Operators, Port Authorities, Classification Societies, Agents, Charterers, Shippers, Consignors, Training Providers, Masters, Officers and crews of Merchant Ships This MIN expires 29
June 2014

Summary
On 28 June 2014, vessels at sea are requested to fly flags and ensigns at half - mast and vessels in harbours are encouraged to sound a signal at a designated time of 1700 h UTC"..........

 

[MASH]

As an addendum to this could I please ask those with shore-based flagstaffs who are minded to do likewise to ensure they know the correct manner of raising a flag to half mast?

i.e. it does NOT I repeat DOES NOT mean halfway up the mast!!! As eny fule no.

Regrettably we will doubtless see some horrendously inappropriate and frankly insulting flag hoists in the months to come due to an extraordinarily widespread ignorance of the correct procedure.
Please, take the trouble to find out before making an embarrassing hash of a half mast hoist and insulting those you mean to honour!

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

But why don't you just tell them, if it's of concern? You hoist the flag to the masthead, then lower it by the flag's-width-and-a-whisker, the space left being to allow an imaginary 'flag of death' to fly above it.

This is correct --

but neither of these is --

Mike

 

[Iain C]

As an addendum to this could I please ask those with shore-based flagstaffs who are minded to do likewise to ensure they know the correct manner of raising a flag to half mast?

i.e. it does NOT I repeat DOES NOT mean halfway up the mast!!! As eny fule no.

Regrettably we will doubtless see some horrendously inappropriate and frankly insulting flag hoists in the months to come due to an extraordinarily widespread ignorance of the correct procedure.
Please, take the trouble to find out before making an embarrassing hash of a half mast hoist and insulting those you mean to honour!

What a bizarre post!

 

[Coaster]

What a bizarre post!

The MASH post seems to be a form of boasting. It's saying 'how clever I am, knowing what half mast means, and I'm so much better than the ignorant hoi polloi'.

Well meaning attempts to honour the dead, whether or not they adhere to arbitrary rules, are generally to be admired not despised.

I'd like MASH to apologise.

 

[superheat6k]

For those on their boats tomorrow lest we should forget (copied from OP's post)...

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/320975/475_WWI_UNESCO.pdf

 

[chinita]

But why don't you just tell them, if it's of concern? You hoist the flag to the masthead, then lower it by the flag's-width-and-a-whisker, the space left being to allow an imaginary 'flag of death' to fly above it.

This is correct --

but neither of these is --

Mike

Sorry to appear pedantic old Oz cousin but I think the correct terminology is the flag 'hoist'. The 'hoist' being the vertical length of the flag (and a whisker) which the flag should be lowered to represent the 'half mast' position.

 

[WilliamUK]

Some people are too easily offended.
The flag isn't important. It doesn't actually matter if someone doesn't go through some daft military procedure when hoisting and finding it offensive should be a bit embarrassing.

 

[jerrytug]

As an addendum to this could I please ask those with shore-based flagstaffs who are minded to do likewise to ensure they know the correct manner of raising a flag to half mast?

i.e. it does NOT I repeat DOES NOT mean halfway up the mast!!! As eny fule no.

Regrettably we will doubtless see some horrendously inappropriate and frankly insulting flag hoists in the months to come due to an extraordinarily widespread ignorance of the correct procedure.
Please, take the trouble to find out before making an embarrassing hash of a half mast hoist and insulting those you mean to honour!

Ha ha, you nearly had me for a minute, excellent p!sstake

 

[chinita]

Some people are too easily offended.
The flag isn't important. It doesn't actually matter if someone doesn't go through some daft military procedure when hoisting and finding it offensive should be a bit embarrassing.

There are military procedures, but there are not any daft military procedures.

 

[pvb]

OK, I understand that this may be interpreted as controversial, but I'm an OAP and I really think that it's time to move on. The First World War was a tragedy, not really something to celebrate or commemorate. UNESCO may have requested this, but their remit is unclear. I think the request should be ignored.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Regrettably we will doubtless see some horrendously inappropriate and frankly insulting flag hoists in the months to come due to an extraordinarily widespread ignorance of the correct procedure.

What do you find insulting about a flag not quite high enough up the mast for your taste? Why should I find it insulting?

 

[JumbleDuck]

There are military procedures, but there are not any daft military procedures.

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Sorry to appear pedantic old Oz cousin but I think the correct terminology is the flag 'hoist'. The 'hoist' being the vertical length of the flag (and a whisker) which the flag should be lowered to represent the 'half mast' position.

Ah. As one pedant to another, we both know you're not really sorry at all, me old Pommy china. But I was actually writing for those benighted heathens who MASH was talking about -- oops, sorry, about whom MASH was speaking. But to be pedantic a whisker longer, if a thing is vertical then one should really be speaking of its height rather than its length. Also, your second sentence would be grammatically correct only if you were to replace the word "being" with "is", and inserted the word "to" before "which"....

Mike

 

[chinita]

Ah. As one pedant to another, we both know you're not really sorry at all, me old Pommy china. But I was actually writing for those benighted heathens who MASH was talking about -- oops, sorry, about whom MASH was speaking. But to be pedantic a whisker longer, if a thing is vertical then one should really be speaking of its height rather than its length. Also, your second sentence would be grammatically correct only if you were to replace the word "being" with "is", and inserted the word "to" before "which"....

Mike

'Benighted'. Wonderful word. I must use it more often; thanks.

 

[chinita]

Brilliant. Makes 'daft' look like the Sunset Ceremony.

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

'Benighted'. Wonderful word. I must use it more often; thanks.

It's a good word, isn't it? And you're entirely welcome.

Mike

 

[chinita]

I imagine it to be a very popular and well aired word in your country.

 

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

Ah. Well, it is -- and especially when we're talking about northern hemisphericals, of course....

But enough of this banter -- I think it's time to get back to the topic.

(What is the topic, by the way?)

Mike

 

[Seajet]

So, a mention of respect for people who gave their all so that we could live in peace and freedom and have forums like this, degenerates into arguing about who's the best smart-arse with flags; I hope those who died for us are grinning wryly as they look down, this is what you fought for guys, and thankyou !