Jolly roger pennant - protocol question

arfa

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I have two kids of a certain age that enjoy the odd pirate themed adventure and I was wondering if there are any major "protocol don'ts" that forumites can advise of if flying a jolly roger pennant to entertain the kids ? Naturally I wouldn't be doing it in Portsmouth harbour and other Naval areas !
 
I think the Navy ought to take up their right to sink vessl's carrying a black flag more often, although it'd be carnage in Cornwall.
 
Don't fly the jolly roger above a courtesy flag (which should be in the highest position on the starboard spreader).

Don't fly it above the ensign at the stern.

Don't fly it above the club burgee if you are flying a defaced ensign.

The port spreader is a safe bet.

The Clyde last year seemed to be crawling with boats flying jolly rogers, but maybe I just saw the same boat several times.
 
This one

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Or do you fancy one of these

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pir_jrac.gif


pir_heve.gif
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.............
pir_bro1.gif
 
Thank you for the replies. I am thinking of purchasing a very small pennant just to amuse the nippers when at anchor so I will make sure I don't elevate it too high /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
whoops sorry about the cross faced smiley - first time trying on that front and I got the wrong one !
Thanks for the advice
 
I have always flown one to denote "kids aboard". We have a huge one we fly when at anchor/mooring in light winds, and a smaller one for when under way. We also fly the TARS (The Arthur Ransome Society) burgee as a house flag whether the kids are aboard or not. It is a pennant, half skull & crossbones and half blue swallow on white background.

Anything to make sailing more fun for the kids has to good idea. Apart from some intensely annoying and unsolicited criticism from one individual on this forum, flying the Jolly Roger has caused no problem that I am aware of.

We also always fly one when sailing Ransome's old boat, the Nancy Blackett, even when all the kids aboard are well over the age of majority!

Another crew on Nancy Blackett was apparently ordered to lower her Jolly Roger by Belgian River police last year, and I have to say I would not fly one in French or Belgian territorial waters full stop. They take themselves altogether too seriously. I also wait until I'm in the Dutch inland waterways before re-hoisting it.

I always use the port flag halyard, as suggested by Freestyle.

Little Knot
 
I will certainly follow Freestyle's advice. My main goal is to make it fun for the kids but I am keen to avoid some blustering killjoy (Belgian or not) bellowing at us for insulting/breaching some obscure practice known only to himself and his merry band of brothers !
 
It seems to have become an unofficial sign that there are children onboard - warns off those without kids and encourages contact from those with kids, keeps everyone happy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
If you're supposed to be "pirates" than act like pirates - wear it proudly and stuff the comments!

BTW - we want one - anyone know who sells them?

We always have a pirate "war" when we go home (my wife's home) and rope in the locals if we can - water balloons etc. They think the english are mad but we always have a good time. Mind you, at 30degC plus it is always warm so no-one really cares when they get wet!
 
I have a link for force 4 where they're available over the net (btw I have no connection with the company other than being a customer) jolly roger pennant
Lakesailor may be able to point us in the direction of a much more interesting pirate kit supplier though !
 
Being a proper "Jolly" Roger (specially when the rum is flowing) I fly this when I am aboard
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some others available
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[image]htp://www.westcoastarmynavy.com/images/A112X18CRIMSON.jpg[/image]
A112X18BOOTY.jpg

A112X18BRETHREN.jpg


Also have a look here
and here
 
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