There are no
prices here, but we have had several inquiries about our flags. They
have prompted a response. Sea-Graphics flags are specifically sewn for
the maritime world. We use only the finest UV resistant nylon fabrics
for our fields and appliqués. All seams are double stitched for
strength and durability, and all fabrics are color fast for long service in
all weather.
Sea-Graphics
has available for immediate shipping, most sizes of the United States Ensign,
the US Yacht Ensign the USCG Auxiliary and USPS Ensigns, and most size sets of
the International Code Flags. We also stock a variety of the small
courtesy flags required when entering foreign ports including Canada, Bermuda,
Bahamas, US Virgin Islands and others.
Sea-Graphics
keeps a small stock of Yacht Club Officers flags on hand, but generally
because of the variety of size requirements we special order these and the
lead time needed is roughly three weeks.
If the flags
requirements you specify cannot be met from stock, we can special order or
custom make your flag. Sea-Graphics flag makers use the same fabrics and
the same weather proven techniques to custom make a flag as they do for those
made for stock, and the price is only slightly more. So, if you need a
special size for a special reason, or just want your private signal design
converted to fabric, get a quote from Sea-Graphics by Faxing your information,
design and size requirements to 316-221-6687; we'll have a quote for you in a
matter of an hour or so.
Because there
is such a variety of size and price information, even among the flags we
stock, we ask that you E-mail is your preferences
for size and style of flag or flags. We will respond with price and
availability information, usually the same business day.
Yachts,
wherever possible, whether at anchor or underway, should properly display the
Yacht Ensign or the National Ensign between morning and evening colors.
Morning
colors is traditionally made at 0800 Hours local time, and evening colors are
traditionally made at sunset, local time, unless there is a Yacht Club Station
present in the harbor, in which case protocol dictates that the Club's signal
for evening colors should take precedence.
On Sundays and on holidays, the US Jack should be flown from a jack staff at
the bow on sailing vessels and power yachts with more than one mast. The
US Jack should not be flown while under way.
The
yacht owner's Club Burgee shall be displayed between morning and evening
colors from a staff at the bow on power yachts, from foremast truck on
schooners, and at mainmast truck on all other sailing Yachts.
Sloops and cutters shall display the Club Burgee from the main truck
while at anchor, moored, or along side.
Special
flags such as Yacht
Club pennants of rank (Commodore, Vice Commodore, and Rear Commodore only)
shall fly in the place of the Club's burgee twenty four hours a day while the
yacht is in the Club Station's harbor, or while on a club sanctioned cruise
with the club squadron. The Fleet Captain's flag should be flown in
place of the burgee only when that officer is on official duties as determined
by the Commodore of the Club.
Owner's
flags (private signals) shall be displayed between morning and evening colors
from the mainmast truck on power yachts and schooners, and from the mizzenmast
truck on yawls and ketches. Sloops and cutters shall display the Private
Signal from the main truck or leach of the mainsail only while underway.
At
morning colors, the National Ensign should be hoisted first, followed by the
Club Burgee, and then the Private Signal. At evening colors, the order
should be reversed with the National Ensign being lowered as evening colors is
signaled.
Dressing
Ship: On national holidays, club regattas and cruises, and other special
occasions, yachtsmen often dress ship with International Code Signal
Flags. The code flags are arranged in a string in such a way as not to
spell, or signal, anything. They are then strung from the waterline at
the bowsprit or stem, to the tops of all masts, to the end of the aft most
boom, and over the fantail to the waterline. Weights are used at both
ends to hold the ends of the string at the waterline. No club burgees,
officers flags, US or foreign flags are to be used in the string. The
National Ensign is hoisted on a staff aft and the US Jack is hoisted on a jack
staff at the bow. The display is hoisted at morning colors and the yacht
remains so dressed until evening colors, or until she is under way, whichever
occurs first. A suggested display that provides a colorful and
harmonious pattern is: AB2-UJ1-KE3-GH6-IV5-FL4-DM7-PO 3rd Repeater-RN
1st Repeater-ST Zero-CX9-WQ8- ZY 2nd Repeater (Answering Pennant is reserved
for signal response purposes). By
following these guidelines, you will never be in the wrong.
FLAGS AND WHERE TO FLY THEM ON BOATS
|
Flag |
When Flown |
Motorboat bow & stern staffs only |
Motorboat bow/stern staffs and signal mast |
Motorboat two masts |
Sailing yacht one mast |
Sailing yacht two mast |
Sailing yacht more then two mast |
|
U.S./Yacht/ USPS Ensign |
8:00 AM to sundown |
Aft |
Aft |
Aft |
After peak |
Aftermost peak |
Aftermost peak |
|
Club burgee |
8:00 AM to sundown |
Bow |
Bow |
Foremast |
At the truck |
At the foremost truck |
At the foremost truck |
|
Private signal |
8:00 AM to sundown |
Not flown |
masthead |
Mainmast |
When under way at the truck |
At the aftermost truck |
At the main truck |
|
Flag officer's flag |
day and night |
Not flown |
In place of private signal |
In place of private signal |
Instead of burgee at truck |
Instead of private signal |
Instead of private signal |
|
U.S. Jack |
At anchor on Sun. & holidays 8:00 AM to sundown |
Not flown |
Not flown |
Bow or jack staff |
Not flown |
Jack staff |
Jack staff |
|
Absent flag |
Daylight during absence of owner |
Not flown |
Starboard yardarm |
Starboard main yardarm |
Starboard spreader |
Starboard main spreader |
Starboard main spreader |
|
Meal flag |
Daylight during meal hours when at anchor |
Not flown |
Starboard yardarm |
Starboard main yardarm |
Starboard spreader |
Starboard main spreader |
Starboard main |
|
Guest flag |
Daylight when owner is absent but guests are
on board |
Not flown |
Starboard yardarm |
Starboard main yardarm |
Starboard spreader |
Starboard main spreader |
Starboard main spreader |
Bow pennant.
Fish,
Fun flag, Skin Diver flag |
8:00AM to sundown |
Bow |
Port yardarm |
Port forward yardarm |
Port spreader |
Foremost port spreader |
Foremost port spreader |
Recently,
we have had requests concerning the proper way to display two national flags
from a single flag pole if the pole is equipped with a yard arm and/or
gaff. Use the illustration below as your guide and follow the
instructions listed below and you will always be proper.
Display ashore in Maritime
Setting
For the most part, the
provisions of the Flag Code are manifest in the traditions and customs for the
display of the U.S. Ensign (flag) by seamen. The following provisions are made
for the display of the flag on a mast located on yacht club grounds. (Chapman
Piloting: Seamanship and Small Boat Handling, American Book-Stratford
Press, Inc., New York, NY)
1. Single Mast (no Yard or Gaff)
• U.S. Ensign (flag) is flown at the truck (#1).
• All other flags are pennants flown below U.S.
Ensign.
2. Mast with Yard:
• U.S. Ensign (flag) is flown at the truck (#1).
• Club burgee (flag) is flown at the starboard
(right) yard arm (#3).
3. Mast with a Yard and Gaff:
• U.S. Ensign (flag) is flown at the gaff (#2).
• Club burgee (flag) is flown at the truck (#1).
• Flags at #3 and #4 vary depending on the activity
at the club.
It is display #3 which causes the most confusion. This puts the club burgee in
a higher position physically, but not above that of the U.S. Ensign (flag)
symbolically. By the normal Flag Code provisions, this would seem to be an
incorrect display. The tradition of the seas, however, is to hold the gaff as
the position of honor; thus, the intent of this tradition and display is to
give proper respect to the flag.
Where a yard is involved, rules provide that when a foreign ensign is
displayed, the U.S. Ensign (flag) is flown at #3; the foreign ensign at #4;
the club burgee at #1; and other flags at #2.
The gaff extends aft (to the rear), and a mast on yacht club grounds is faced
seaward. Therefore the gaff will (or should) be directed toward the land. The
observation point then becomes a point somewhere on the sea side of the mast.
This then makes the placement of the U.S. Ensign (flag) in regard to the
foreign ensign conform to Flag Code provisions.
Yacht Ensign, Private
Signal and Club Signal Sizes
