Sea-Graphics, Inc.

Personalized Nautical Gifts and Accessories

 

FLAGS...  

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 309-405-9628; 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.

FLAG ETIQUETTE

Much has been written about exactly how and when flags and pennants should be displayed while afloat.  Although there seem to be as many experts on the subject as there are flags to be flown, Naval tradition and the New York Yacht Club (the organization that wrote the book on proper flag etiquette for yachts) both agree on what is proper and what is not.  

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.

 

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