Flag Etiquette Afloat at the CYCA Parade of Sail

by Andrea Treleaven on 31 Jul 2009 Everyone was watching their flag etiquette last Sunday when the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia held their 16th ‘Parade of Sail’ on Sydney Harbour. (See the end of this article for some guidelines). They were continuing their long history of tradition with the Blessing of the Fleet by the RAN Chaplain Barrie Yesberg and the use of flag etiquette during the Salute to the Commodore.

Dressed with signal flags and the official burgees of the CYCA flag officers aboard, the Australian Heritage Fleet’s historic 105-year-old schooner Boomerang was on station as the competing fleet sailed by to three cheers and the dipping of their ensigns.

Sir James Hardy fired the canon to commence the Parade accompanied by his wife Lady Joan Hardy, Commodore Matt Allen, Vice Commodore Howard Piggott, and Rear Commodore Garry Linacre.
 

Led by Les Goodridge’s Byjarne Ass designed Erica J, celebrating her 60th birthday this year, the fleet of yachts built before 1975 made an impressive spectacle as they sailed by Boomerang and the judges aboard Belinda & Hugh Webster’s Seraphym V including Past Associates Committee President Jeannette York and up the harbour to round Fort Denison.

Pam Messenger, Associates Committee President, also took the opportunity to present a cheque for $3000 to John Ebbott of NRMA Careflight, raised from the Winter Ball Silent Auction.
 
The 2009 winner of the ‘Ship Shape & Bristol Fashion Award’ for the second time running was Karalee. Designed by Australian Alan Payne and launched in 1952, Karalee spent much of her life on the slips before being rescued by marine artist Ian Hansen who placed her again in her natural environment.

Nigel Stokes’ 61ft Fidelis, launched in 1964, was 2nd. A past Sydney-Hobart lines honour winner, Nigel recounted the time he sailed her to Lord Howe Island for a barbeque.

3rd place was awarded to new entry Josephine, helmed by Brendan Hunt. Recently restored to “concourse” condition, Josephine is an 8 metre William Fife design built in the 1930s.
 
The pride and pleasure of all those who participated showed that tradition is worth maintaining and for those interested, here are a few points of guidance from Australia’s leading Vexillographer, John Vaughan:







Flag Etiquette Afloat:

Flag etiquette afloat can be a test of the knowledge, good taste and competency of the skipper. There are a number of 'dos' and 'don'ts' of flag etiquette for those who want to display correctly as different to merely hanging anything off the mast.

A good example of bad etiquette is for a corporate or company vessel to fly the company flag from the stern (ensign) staff or gaff. Likewise, flying a foreign flag (wearing false colours) from this position is a grave breach of protocol, and in some countries would result in being arrested.

The correct and ONLY flag that should be flown from the stern or the gaff on Australian vessels is the Australian National Flag (blue) or the Australian Red Ensign.

Under the Federal Shipping Registration Act, 1981, the Australian Red Ensign was retained as the national colours of Australia's merchant ships. Private pleasure craft were given the option of using this Red Ensign or the Australian National Flag. It is recommended that private craft wear the Red Ensign in home waters but use the national colours when overseas.