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Marine/Nautical Flags

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40 Flag Set - Signal Code Flags

Our Marine/Nautical flags are crafted from durable nylon material. Each flag has extra stitching for a long-life in harsh marine use. Each size set...

SIZE: 12"x18" Introducing our beer flag, crafted with durable SolarMax Nylon and perfect for any laid-back spot - be it a bar, restaurant, game roo...

Chillin' The Most Flag

Fly this popular flag! Commonly used on boats, this flag is made of durable nylon material. Do not confuse this flag with a cheaper polyester or pr...

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flag

Our Marine/Nautical flags are crafted from durable nylon material. Each flag has extra stitching for a long-lasting flag in harsh marine use. This ...

Cocktail Martini Flag

Chill out with our cocktail flag! Available in two popular sizes, 12"x18" and 3'x5'. Made from strong SolarMax Nylon material, this flag is perfect...

Code Signal A Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter A flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal B Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter B flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal C Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter C flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal D Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter D flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal E Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter E flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal F Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter F flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal G Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter G flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal H Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter H flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal I Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter I flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal J Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter J flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal K Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter K flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal L Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter L flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal M Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter M flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal N Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter N flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal O Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter O flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal P Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter P flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal Q Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter Q flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal R Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter R flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal S Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter S flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal T Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter T flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal U Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter U flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal V Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter V flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal W Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter W flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal X Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter X flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal Y Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter Y flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Code Signal Z Flag

Our Marine/Nautical Code Signal Letter Z flags are crafted from durable nylon material, 100% Made in the USA. Each flag has extra stitching for a l...

Commodore Flag

Our Diver flags are crafted from durable nylon material. Each flag has extra stitching for a long-lasting flag in harsh marine use. This flag has 2...

Fish Flag - Albacore Design

Durable Nylon Fish Flag. Perfect for boat use. Made from strong SolarMax Nylon material, this flag is perfect for a bar, restaurant, game room, boa...

Fish Flag - Bluefish Design

Fish flag - dolphin design, fish flag - i love fishing, fish flag - king mackerel design, fish flag - mako shark design, fish flag - marlin design, fish flag - sailfish design, fish flag - shark design, fish flag - striped bass design, fish flag - swordfish design, fish flag - tarpon design, fish flag - tuna design, fish flag - wahoo design, fish flag - white marlin design.

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Finding the right size flag is easy! The length of the flag should be 1/4 the height of the pole. Nylon is the best all-around material, use Polyester2 for high-wind areas and budget polyester for short-term use.

Flags Unlimited is proud to offer the finest flags available. All of our American flags and most of our products are made in USA. Look for the "Made in USA" icon for products made in USA!

Call 1.800.989.3524 or 813.684.1782 (Monday-Friday 9:00-4:30 EST)Fax 813.654.4272 Email Us | Store Location | Shipping & Returns

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• Other Flags

Nautical Flags

US Flag 2ft x 3ft Super Knit Polyester

Super Tough

Pirate (Jack Rackham) Flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester

Pirate Nylon Bow Pennant Flag 10"x 15"

Nylon U.S. Yacht Design 30" x 48" Flag

U.s. jack 25in x 31in sewn nylon flag.

Hurricane Warning 36in x 36in Nylon Flag

US Flag 12 x 18in Printed Polyester

Nylon U.S. Yacht Design 20" x 30" Flag

Pirate (Jolly Roger) Flag 12x18 inch stick flag

Pirate (bethren of the coast) flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester, us jack 18in x 25in sewn nylon flag.

Parade Fixed Stainless Steel Motorcycle Flag Mount - 7/8"

3ft x 5ft Pirate Flag - Printed Polyester

US YACHT CLUB COMMODORE 12in x 18in Flag

Pirate Bartholomew Roberts #2 Flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester

Parade Sister Bar Motorcycle Flag Mount - 5/8"

U.S. Yacht Anchor Flag 3ft x 5ft Super Knit Polyester Double Sided

36in x 72in Gale Warning Flag

Pirate (Poison) Flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester

US Yacht Club Past-Commodore 12in x 18in Nylon Flag

Nylon Storm Warning Signal Set 1

Pirate (death zone) flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester.

Highway Sister Bar Motorcycle Flag Mount - 5/8"

Pirate Flag Sticker - Jolly Roger Decal

US JACK 13in x 15in Sewn Nylon Flag

12in x 18in Nylon Marlin Flag

Parade Fixed Motorcycle Flag Mount - 5/8"

12in x 18in Nylon Tarpon Flag

US YACHT SECRETARY 12in x 18in Flag

12in x 18in Nylon King Mackerel Flag

Pirate (big skull) flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester, us power squadron 16in x 24in flag.

Pirate (Christopher Moody) Flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester

Pirate (Pirate Ed Low ) Flag 3ft x 5ft printed polyester

US YACHT PORT CAPTAIN 12in x 18in Flag

12in x 18in Nylon Striped Bass Flag

Ski Queen Nylon Bow Pennant 10in x 15in

GUEST Message flag 12in x 18in

12in x 18in Nylon Sailish Flag

US Power Squadron 12in x 18in Flag

US Yacht Club Vice-Commodore 12in x 18in Nylon Flag

12in x 18in Nylon Bluefish Flag

Us power squadron 20in x 30in flag.

12in x 18in Nylon Wahoo Flag

12in x 18in Nylon Swordfish Flag

QUARANTINE Message Flag 12in x 18in

12in x 18in Nylon White Marlin Flag

12in x 18in Nylon Albacore Flag

Whether you seek American flags for marine use, college team logos, military symbols, religious or political themes, or a distinct design for your car, truck, or motorcycle, we have the perfect flag for you at a competitive price. Our offerings include thermal-printed stick flags and car flags that can be customized with your unique design, allowing your creativity to shine. Each flag comes complete with the necessary mounts and hardware for easy setup. Durable and weather-resistant, these flags are well-suited for outdoor use and cruising.

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Boat Flags & Mounts

American Flags

Novelty Flags

Yacht Ensign

Boat Flag Poles & Clips

Airhead Water Skier Down Flag

Airhead Water Skier Down Flag This inexpensive bright orange vinyl flag is attached to a 24" pole. It conforms to AZ, CA, CO, ID, MO, NE, NM, OR, TX, UT & WA laws. Recommended everywhere for safety.

Taylor Made Deluxe Sewn 50 Star U.S. Flag

Taylor Made Deluxe Sewn 50 Star U.S. Flag Taylor Made Deluxe sewn flags are constructed from lightweight yet durable fade-resistant polyester fabric. This makes them perfect all-weather flags. Features: Individually sewn stripes Embroidered...

Stern Light Flag Clip

Du-Bro flag clips for stern or pole lights are stainless steel for all conditions including 65 M.P.H speeds and salt water. Spring loaded design makes them easy to use. No-slip grip will not scratch pole light. 2 per package.

Taylor Made Teak Flag Poles

Taylor Made Teak Flag Poles Boaters appreciate teak's traditional beauty because of its intricate grain patterns and color variations. The high oil content of the wood keeps it from deteriorating or warping in the harsh marine environment of sun, wind,...

Flag Flyer Tube for VHF Antenna

Use Your Antenna as a Flag Pole! Display American Flags, Diving, Quarantine, Bahamas Courtesy Flag, Yacht Club, Organizational Flags & Novelty Flags Easy assembly that slides over most antennas and does NOT interfere with radio functions. Fits 12"x18" or...

Halyard & Outrigger Flag Clip

Du-Bro flag clips for halyards and outriggers are stainless steel for all conditions including salt water. Spring loaded design makes them easy to use in all weather conditions. Fly multiple flags. 2 per package.

Taylor Made 50 Star U.S. Flag

Taylor Made 50 Star U.S. Flag Perma-print dyed nylon with reinforced nylon heading.

Taylor Made Skipper Flag Clips - 4 PK

Taylor Made Skipper Flag Clips - 4 PK Stainless Steel Skipper Clips provide an easy way of attaching flags, canopies, curtains, etc. The extended length of these versatile clips reaches grommets 3/4" from fabric edges. Package includes (4) Skipper Clips...

Airhead Water Skier Down Flag with Suction Cup Mount

Airhead Water Skier Down Flag with Suction Cup Mount Eliminates observer's elbow with the Airhead Water Skier Down Flag with Suction Cup Mount ! The bright orange 420-denier nylon skier down flag is mounted to a 24" pole. Attaches to windshields or boat...

Cal-June S.O.S. Distress Flag

Cal-June USCG-Approved S.O.S. Distress Flag with Storage Bag This Cal June SOS flag is a day visual distress signal for boats and should only be used for emergencies. Features: S.O.S. distress flag U.S.C.G. approved 9SQ. FT. Plastic construction...

Sea-Dog 17" Flag Pole with Rail Mount

Sea-Dog 17" Flag Pole With Rail Mount  Flagpole Included The Sea-Dog Adjustable Flagpole is made of highly polished, heavy wall stainless steel tubing. The flag is attached to the flagpole using nylon penant mounts with stainless steel spring wire...

Taylor Made Deluxe Sewn U.S. Yacht Ensign

Taylor Made Deluxe Sewn U.S. Yacht Ensign Taylor Made deluxe sewn flags are constructed from lightweight yet durable fade-resistant polyester fabric. This yacht ensign flag is perfect for all weather conditions and marine environments...

Taylor Made Charlevoix Antenna Flag Clip

Charlevoix Antenna Flag Clip Like Charlevoix Flag Clips, these Burgee & Antenna Clips are designed to allow you to fly your burgee or courtesy flag from your antenna without fear of losing it. These clips fit either standard 1/2" or 3/4" burgee

Taylor Made Pontoon Flag Pole w/ Socket & Flag

Taylor Made Pontoon Flag Pole w/ Socket & Flag Developed with the Pontoon Boater in mind, this new injection molded, black nylon mount attaches easily to the top of your pontoon railing and features a 10 degree presentation angle. The 3/4" diameter...

SeaSense Stainless Steel Rail Flagstaff

Sea Sense Stainless Steel Rail Flagstaff Sea Sense stainless steel flagstaffs are corrosion-resistant and includes built-in rings for attaching flags. Specifications: 14" Flagstaff fits 7/8" rail 19" Flagstaff fits 7/8" rail Includes rings

Antenna Flag Clip

Du-Bro flag clips for antennas are stainless steel for all conditions including salt water and speeds to 65 M.P.H. Spring loaded design makes them easy to use. Fly multiple flags. 2 per package.

Taylor Made Flag Pole With Charlevoix Flag Clips

Taylor Made Flag Pole with Charlevoix Flag Clips The Taylor Made Flag Pole is constructed with marine-grade anodized aluminum with nylon flag clips. Features: Pole and clips only. Does not include flag Clips are designed to clamp tight or...

Taylor Made Top Mount Flag Pole Socket

Taylor Made Top Mount Flag Pole Socket Taylor Made top mount flag pole socket made from polished stainless steel. Two sizes available. Made from long-lasting T316 polished stainless steel 10 degree angle Sold individually Sizes...

Taylor Made Stainless Steel Rail Mount Flag Pole Socket

Taylor Made Stainless Steel Rail Mount Flag Pole Socket Designed to securely fasten to 7/8"- 1" rails, this stainless steel mount will look great and provide years of service. The mount is perpendicular to the rail and is made for 1" diameter flag poles.

Whitecap Teak Flag Pole

Whitecap Teak Flag Pole The Whitecap Teak Flag Pole is a traditional ball cap style flag constructed from solid teak. This Flag pole is completely constructed of durable teak that resists warping, rotting, termites, and other insects. Teak's naturally...

Similar to a bumper sticker on a car, boat flags give your craft some additional “personality,” as well as identifying your boat to other boaters. They can also proudly proclaim your patriotism, signal distress to attract assistance, as well as establish a theme for a party. Wholesale Marine offers a great selection of boat flags, as well as boalt flag mounts and clips, so you’ll always be able to “fly your colors” whenever you take to the water!

At Wholesale Marine you’ll always find exactly what your craft requires, including boat flags by  Airhead ,  Cal-June , Sea Sense , and  Taylor Made . Safety first: Wholesale Marine stocks an entire set of International Signal Flags, as well as Gale Warning, Hurricane Warning, Water Skier Down, warning flags for SCUBA divers, and an S.O.S Distress Flag approved by the United States Coast Guard.

Buy Our Safety and Novelty Boat Flags!

Taylor Made has a wide selection of boat flags that include an official US Coast Guard Auxiliary flag, as well as those that announce dinner, guests, cocktails, and even a flag to indicate that no one is on board the vessel! Get your Arrgh on with a Jolly Roger Pirate Flag ! If your craft is an outpost for the Conch Republic, you can announce when it is Margarita Time with the appropriate boat flag!

Remember, whatever and whenever you have a boating need, Wholesale Marine will not only have it in stock, but we also offer same day, flat rate shipping on our competitively-priced merchandise. Of course, you’ll always receive superior customer service. Be sure to ask about our Captain’s Loyalty Program for additional discounts the next time you buy from Wholesale Marine! For more information or to place an order, call us Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM, EST at (877) 388-2628. Call today!

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• Boat flag etiquette

Flag etiquette has been transmitted to us by generations of mariners. Although not often appropriately respected these days, especially not by charterers, we might add, observing flag etiquette can provide some pride of perpetuating a very old tradition as well as some fun. We will not get into deep details and purist fanaticism. However, we will try to show charterers the minimum that is expected for basic respect of rules.

Therefore, we will only talk here about 4 main flags, potentially used by charterers and charter boat owners: the Ensign or the National flag; the club burgee; the Private Signal; and the Courtesy Flags.

Boats should fly the National Flag. Most pleasure boats in US waters have a choice of 2.

The yacht ensign, with its fouled anchor over a circle of 13 stars, the "Betsy Ross" flag. Originally restricted to documented vessels only, it is now commonly flown on recreational boats of all types and sizes instead of the National Flag (see picture).

The 50-star flag "Old Glory" you are familiar with.

The appropriate time to fly the ensign is from 0800 to sunset, except when racing. It is also important to take the flag down prior to leaving the yacht if the ship will be unmanned at the time of sunset.

However, whenever a boat is taken into international or foreign waters, the 50-star U.S. ensign is the proper flag to fly and the yacht ensign cannot to be displayed . In other words, if you own a US boat in the British Virgin Islands, you should not fly the Ensign, but the National Flag.

Boats today fly the ensign from the stern, which provides the best visibility, but it can also be flown from the leech of the most aftersail. When flown from the stern, it should be on a staff (pole) that is sufficiently long and angled, and that is offset to one side (traditionally the starboard side), so the flag flies clear of engine exhaust and rigging.

It is a small flag displaying the symbol of the skipper's yacht club or other sailing organization. It may be flown day and night.

Most people opt to fly the burgee lower in the rig, hoisted to the end of the lowest starboard spreader on a thin flag halyard. While purists rail this practice, it is an accepted adaptation of another tradition, which is that the starboard rigging is a position of honor (when you visit a foreign port, that's where we fly the host country's flag). Besides being reasonable, flying the burgee in the starboard rigging is such a widespread custom that to try to end it would be close to impossible.

Private Signal

It is a small, custom-designed and custom-made flag that carries symbols standing for the owner, so it can basically be anything. The signal may be flown day or night, but is not displayed when another sailor is in command. (The rule is: the private signal and burgee follow the sailor, not the boat.)

On a multi-masted boat, the private signal is flown at the head of the aftermost mast. On a sloop, the private signal may be flown from the starboard rigging, either below the burgee or alone.

Courtesy Flags

As a matter of courtesy, it is appropriate to fly the flag of a foreign nation on your boat when you enter and operate on its waters. There are only a limited number of positions from which flags may be displayed. Therefore, when a flag of another nation is flown, it usually must displace one of the flags displayed in home waters. However, it is hoisted only after the appropriate authorities have granted clearance. Until clearance is obtained, a boat must fly the yellow "Q" flag . All charter boats should carry the national flags of neighboring islands as well as the yellow flag, in case charterers want to visit those islands.

The courtesy flag is flown at the boat's starboard spreader, whether the United States ensign is at the stern staff, or flown from the leech. If there is more than one mast, the courtesy flag is flown from the starboard spreader of the forward mast.

As a side note, some authorities are not amused at all if you fly their courtesy flag using an old, raggy flag. Some will even fine you for disrespect! It happened to a friend of mine who was chartering in Turkey.

Lastly, it is also a common courtesy to fly the national flag(s) of your guest(s) on board, if they have a different nationality than the ensign is showing.

Flags' Dimensions

Flags come in standardized sizes, but there are guidelines about selecting the proper size for your boat.

The size of a nautical flag is determined by the size of the boat that flies it. Flags are more often too small than too large. So in the rules below, round upward to the nearestlarger standard size.

The flag at the stern of your boat: U.S. ensign or national flag should be about one inch for each foot of overall length. For example, on a 40ft. boat, the ensign should be 40 in. i.e. about 3.5ft.

Other flags, such as club burgees, private signals and courtesy flags used on sailboats should be approximately 1/2 inch for each foot of the highest mast above the water. For example, on a 30ft. boat, with 50ft. between the masthead and the water, the burgee should be about 25 in. The shape and proportions of pennants and burgees will be prescribed by the organization which they relate to.

Raising and Lowering Flags

Fly the ensign from morning (8:00 a.m.) to evening (sunset) whether the boat is at rest, under sail, or under power. The exception to this rule is: The ensign is not flown by a boat in a race, which signals to other boats that you are racing.

To prevent wear and tear, the flag may not be flown when out of sight of other vessels or when nobody is aboard. The flag is flown while entering or leaving a port, even at night. For purists: In the morning, the ensign is hoisted rapidly before other flags. In the evening, it is lowered slowly and with ceremony after other flags come down.

Additional sources:  Seaflags http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html

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Flag etiquette

• Thread starter hicotton
• Start date Jul 18, 2005
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

I've done a fair amount of research on the proper way to fly the national ensign.What I can not find is documentation on flying the flag from the backstay. I have found that 2/3 of the way up the mainsail leach on a marconi rig is OK. This requires the flag to be sewn to the leach. Not what I'm looking for. Any documentation would be appreciated.  

Do not think that it is proper! I checked in Chapmans and it makes no mention of flying it from the backstay!I would assume that this is NOT proper.Anything wrong with a staff?  

Re-read your Chapman's Chapman's, pg. 852: "Flying Various Flags""On Marconi-rigged sailboats under sail alone, the practice for many years has been to fly the ensign from the leech of the aftermost sail, approximately two-thirds the length of the leech above the clew."I have a yawl, and I fly the flag from the boom topping lift on the mizzen. I don't think actually sewing the flag onto the sail is a great idea, perhaps you can run it up the spare halyard, or rig up a light signal halyard off of a block at the masthead.Also mentioned: the "fly" (length) of the flag should be one inch for every foot of the boat.  

Trevor - SailboatOwners.c

Backstay flag halyard A US flag (or Ensign) staff should be mounted as close to center on the transom as possible, or, just starboard of center. On some boats a flag staff is sometimes in the way and can interrupt the safe operation so many sailors choose to fly the flag on a backstay. Although this is not absolutely correct this location is usually acceptable - I've seen it on numerous vessels and flown flags on boats this way before. A halyard kit is available (made by Johnson) for just such a purpose. I'd be surprised if you got flak from anyone for flying the US flag in such a manner.Best,Trevor  

Re-read your Chapman's Chapman's, pg. 852: "Flying Various Flags""On Marconi-rigged sailboats under sail alone, the practice for many years has been to fly the ensign from the leech of the aftermost sail, approximately two-thirds the length of the leech above the clew."I have a yawl, and I fly the flag from the boom topping lift on the mizzen. I took the attached photo in Annapolis, with my friend Andreas on deck.I don't think actually sewing the flag onto the sail is a great idea, perhaps you can run it up the spare halyard, or rig up a light signal halyard off of a block at the masthead.Also mentioned: the "fly" (length) of the flag should be one inch for every foot of the boat.  

History When everyone had a gaff rig, the proper place to fly the ensign used to be at the peak of the gaff. When the marconi rig supplanted the gaff rig, the "right place" -about where the peak of a gaff would be - was about 2/3 of the way up the leech of the sail. To have the flag there, it had to be sewn on, since rigging a halyard would have led to massive sail chafe and problems with the boom, to say nothing of trying to figure out how tight to rig it, and having to change the halyard tension every time you changed heading. Very simply, people responded to this by not flying the flag while under sail. It messed up the sail (especially with the synthetics, poking holes in the leech) and messed up what people considered proper flag-handling at colors. Under power, using a staff at the transom was deemed proper, but I remember always striking the flagstaff once sails were hoisted. I believe the Coast Guard solved the issue about 15 or 20 years ago by saying it was permitted practice while sailing to display the flag on its staff . Newer editions of Chapman's - such as the 1991 edition I have - include this information.  This said, I do remember observing an American Destroyer positioning itself in the Hudson River off New York City for OpSail 2000. They steamed slowly (3 knots) upriver, and I noticed a small ensign flying from a small gaff on their main signal/radar mast, aft of the bridge. Bosun's whistles piped over the intercom, the anchor was dropped, and the flag at the gaff dissapeared while at the same moment a large ensign was hoisted on a transom staff. A minute later it appeared the skipper wasn't happy with the set. More intercom noises, anchor chain clanking, grunting and smoke from the engines, the large ensign dissapeared and the small one at the gaff was flying again. Twenty seconds later, anchor down again, back the other way with the flags. I guess the Navy likes it's traditions. It would seem that the current rule is: If you've got one, use a gaff. If you don't, use a staff!  

John Dawson

Flag guessing My impression is that flying the ensign 2/3 up the leach on a Marconi or near the gaff is the correct position and its not as important what it is mounted on; my other impression is that it is not proper when the sails are down. Then, a flagstaff on the transom is the only place for it. (I seem to remember seeing it flying from a flag halyard to the gaff on old paintings of frigates, instead of being sewn on. The practice of flying false colors would have been pretty hard if sewn on.) Actually what Paulk says sounds like the current accepted practice.  

Underway Colors Back in my Navy days I was a member of the Navigation dept on Submarines. There were basicly three different types of "Colors". Underway, Inport, Holiday. Since I was onboard a Submarine were we flew these colors was how we were rigged. Underway, Inport or rigged for sea. Underway we flew a 3x5 ensign from a gaff attached to the top of the boats sail, The boat was 360'ft long. Inport on Non holidays we flew a 4x6 ensign from the Furthest staff rigged aft. (This could be a small gaff rigged on the back of the sub's sail). On Holidays including Sunday's we flew a 6X10 ensign. Basicly the rule of thumb was to fly the underway ensign from the Highest gaff while underway 24hrs a day, Inport from the furthest staff aft from 8am to Sunset. We only flew the ensign when we were on the Surface and rigged for surface operations.  

not quite etiquette but.... the johnsons halyard kit is quite heavy for a twenty two foot boat. i do fly my ensign from the topping lift. not quite proper but better than the spreader halyard. and if it comes to the spreader halyard i would rather see i flown there than not at all.next thread... how about the yacht club burgee??? top of the mast or bow staff???  

Stu Jackson

Please, just don't put it up on the spreaders.Stu  

Etiquett http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html#us-ensign  

Les Blackwell

The ensign is only a signal.... About ten years ago, I did some extensive research as to how to fly the American Flag (ensign) and other types of flags (burgees, etc.,). I e-mailed the Library of Congress, called the office of one of my senator's staff, went to the local library and checked through numerous books and I included the 1917 edition of Chapmans.First and foremost, there are no laws as to how to fly the ensign on your boat or the American flag at your home. Congress recended all laws pertaining to displaying the American Flag. However, there are traditions that people like to follow--just remember they are traditions not rules or laws.A quick history of flag flying. During the golden age of sail flags were signals as to which country the ship came from, outward or homeward bound, who was on board, etc. Most countries flew it from the aft of the ship because it flew out in the breeze and could be seen from a distance. Place it anywheres else on a square rigger and it gets in way of the sail gear. However, Egytian boats flew their flags from the bow because their lanteen rigs swept the stern. When many boats went to fore and aft rigs (late 1800s) such as schooners and gaft rig sloops, the flag was placed at the aft end of the gaft on a pully so it could be raised and lowered. Burgees were raised to the top of the tallest mast on a "pig-stick" to show company, owner, home port, etc. At about the mid 1800s an interesting problem arises. Ports started taxing those work boats (some were still sail) to use the facilities but pleasure vessels were exempt. How to distinguse between the two? The nautical ensign (anchor in a circle of stars) was authorised by congress for pleasure craft only so that the tax collectors could tell working boats from pleasure craft. [I think I''ll change to the nautical ensign and see if it still works, right]Still, there were no rules for flying a flag. One flew it to let other boats know who you were or where you were from... During the early 1900s power boating started to become popular with the general public. Money was available to many families and they went out to buy these new fangled power boats. They literally flew the flag from anywheres on the boat for no sensible reasons. It was just fun. A new magazine at that time (Motor Boating) tried to make some sense of it all and Chapman who was the first editor of the magazine had a series of articles on how to make your "new" power boat look good including a section on flag flying. His suggestions came from the U.S. Navy regulations. He followed many of their regs and made them suggestions for the pleasure craft.In 1914, the then young assistant secretary of the Navy, FDR, asked Chapman if he would put together a publication to organize the pleasure craft fleet in case we went to war (WW I), Chapman did and came out with a little booklet called, "Practical Motor Boat Handling, Seamanship and Piloting." In my second edition is makes very little mention of sailboats other than to say, "stay out of their way." On the front page is also says, "...Adapted for the yachtsman interested in fitting himself to be of service to his Government in time of war." Damn, our first home security rulings...Chapter XIII was about Flags and Colors and tells about different flags. It offers some suggestions such as the Union Jack should never be flow while underway. It turns out that the Union Jack was the crews (read, paid crew) colors. There were also Guest Flags, Owner's Flag and Owner's Dinning Flag. Interesting to me was something called the "night pennant." No mention of when to fly it or where.As more and more electronics began to go to the top of the mast, burgees and owner flags migrated to the starboard side of the boat. Why starboard? Because most of the pleasure (both sail and power) docked with their port side to land or the dock. The Port of New York (I do not have good evidence on this point) wanted to see the signals and requested (required?) the flags on the starboard side. It does make some sense that when entering a harbor with boats along side a quey to be able to look at the signals and see who is on board and things like that.Over the years, Chapman's has become the "defacto" standard for flying flags and signals. But it is only suggestive, not a rule or law. You can fly your flag anywheres you want.But let's remember, it is a signal or a code to let others know some information about you. So where would you fly you ensign to be seen? Probably near or on the stern. One side or the other doesn't seem to be necessary and since many boats have a sugar scoop stern, flying the ensign in the center of the boat is out of the question. Flying it three quarters up the back stay is fine except at anchor when there is no wind and it droops around the back stay. That is why flag poles are angled out so that the flag can be seen when there is no wind. So it is your call.In some cases certain flags or signals have been out dated. You do not use the "Q" or quarantine pennant in some foreign countries anymore since they request you call them on VHF or the ship-to-shore phone. By the way, there are rules and regs for the US military however, they are only for the military. Pleasure craft need not follow them, indeed, the US Navy forbids you to lower your ensign in salute of their vessels. I still do it from time to time just to keep them on their toes. The Canadian Navy always responds--nice folk. I hope this helps with your decision making on the use of flags on your boat. You do not need any flags and you can use any size you want. The US Power Squadron which was the result of FDR's request to Chapman in 1917 has good advice. My best to you all.  

Not quite right about no rules for flying the flag I appreciate Les's wealth of research but want to expand on one little point about there being "no laws about how to fly the flag at your home". It may be literally true that they are not legally binding, but the US Marine Corps' manual for flag etiquette, which I've seen in several editions from the 60's through the 80's, is supposed to be the last word on how to handle the American flag. The Marine Corps was given by Congress the honor of being the keeper of these traditions and has published this little booklet for the benefit of civilian organizations such as the Boy Scouts, VFW, etc. over the years. The various rules of display, such as putting the national flag above state flags on a single pole, are expected to be followed by homeowners as well as any civilian facility. Can you be arrested for doing it wrong? Not yet...  

Look Here Title 4 Chapter 1 of the US Codehttp://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode04/usc_sup_01_4_10_1.html  

Rich, Rick, et.al. Rick, that is an interesting set of rules for flying the flag. I will have to look into this further. However, I believe what you have found are the military's rules and according to the Library of Congress (I"m sorry, I don't have those sources at hand) the military (probably the Marine Corp as Rich has advised) can only suggest to us civilians. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion also have a set of rules or guidelines for flag etiquette. Personally, I follow the guidelines in the lastest Chapmans.I have great respect for Cornell University (they have a great music school as well as a law university) but I believe the Congress recended all laws pertainlng to the American Flag in the late 1980s. You can fly the flag anyway you wish. But having some respect for it seems to me to be the proper thing.  

US Code Seems to me the US Code is the law. Now I doubt there will be Federal Agents knocking on your door because you leave you flag up after dark and do not illuminate it properly. I see all sorts of violations of the code. I once dragged a stack of beach towels off the shelf and to the manager of a store because the design printed on the towel was the US flag. I don't mind much if the flag is flown from the wrong spot on a boat but throwing it on the beach and lying on top of it is very very wrong.  

I agree Many people have died to protect that flag. We should not let it be disgraced. Sure, it's a free country and all, but I think we owe it to those who fought and died for that freedom to not disrespect the flag they carried and protected in battle. Pick something else to lay on and burn. How about the dollor bill?  

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In a world of moving pictures, photographs capture indelible moments in Trump assassination attempt

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures as he is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents as he leaves the stage at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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The photograph of a bloodied Donald Trump with his fist in the air and an American flag looming in the background is quickly emerging as the pivotal image of Saturday’s shooting , and it wouldn’t exist without a journalist who acted quickly and on a hunch.

Video of the assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally filled television screens before it was even clear what had happened. Yet the work of The Associated Press’ Evan Vucci, Getty’s Anna Moneymaker and Doug Mills of The New York Times — whose picture caught apparent evidence of a bullet whizzing past Trump’s head — proved the enduring potency of still photography in a world driven by a flood of moving pictures.

Associated Press photojournalist Evan Vucci has covered former President Donald Trump for years, but what occurred on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania was a time stopping moment in history, and Vucci recounts his experience from the rally with Trump.

Vucci’s image, one of many he took on Saturday, could also have political implications from many directions — as indelible images often do in the days and years after seismic events happen.

“Without question, Evan’s photo will become the definitive photo from the (assassination) attempt,” said Patrick Witty, a former photo editor at Time, The New York Times and National Geographic. “It captures a range of complex details and emotions in one still image — the defiantly raised fist, the blood, the agents clamoring to push Trump off stage and, most importantly, the flag. That’s what elevates the photo.”

The New York Post ran the photo across the tabloid’s front page on Sunday with a headline describing the former president as “bloodied but unbowed.” Time magazine has put it on its cover. “A legendary American photograph,” The Atlantic wrote in a headline over a story about the image.

It all made one thing clear: After more than 175 years of photography, freezing a moment in time for posterity remains as powerful as recounting it in video — and, sometimes, even more so.

An immediate recognition of the power of the captured moment

Many news photographers, including AP’s Gene Puskar, were on assignment in various locations around Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Vucci was one of four stationed between the stage and audience. Covering a political rally is a routine assignment the Washington-based journalist has done hundreds of times; left unspoken is the duty to be in position if history beckons in the manner that it did Saturday.

When he heard popping sounds, Vucci, who has covered combat situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he knew instantly it was gunfire. He rushed to the stage at Trump’s right, but his view of the former president was quickly blocked by Secret Service agents. He sensed that the agents would try to hustle Trump offstage and into a vehicle from the other side, so he darted over there.

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From that position, he said, “everything kind of opened up for me.”

Trump’s attempts to rise to his feet and pump his fist gave Vucci a clear view of the ex-president. He said the blue sky and flag in the background were an important part of the composition. “I think that kind of told the story of where we are right now,” he said.

Witty, like some others, compared it to Joe Rosenthal’s AP photo of U.S. Marines raising the American flag on Iwo Jima in World War II — an image so memorable to so many that it inspired a memorial.

“I think it will last and come to symbolize the time that we’re in,” said Ron Burnett, former president of the Emily Carr University of Art and Design and an expert on images.

The intersection of imagery and politics

The presence of the flag may prove a lightning rod, because it also makes the photo a potent political image — in keeping with the increased politicization of the Stars and Stripes in the years since the 9/11 attacks. “Already one of the most iconic photographs in American history — and one that I suspect will propel Donald Trump back to the White House,” British journalist Piers Morgan wrote on X.

The photo with the full flag from Saturday has already been used 2,327 times by Sunday evening, while another Vucci image — one without the full flag — had been used 1,759 times by AP media customers, the news organization said. Typically, the most-used photo for a full week is seen 700 or 800 times.

It’s not hard to imagine the flag-draped image being seen in Trump campaign advertisements or paraphernalia, much like his mug shot from his Georgia arrest quickly did. At least one website was already selling T-shirts with the photo on them.

“I can see it being used in a whole variety of ways as part of the entourage of images that he surrounds himself with,” said Burnett, who marveled at Trump’s ability to seemingly be conscious of how it would all look in the midst of such a traumatic experience.

Vucci said that how the image is used in the public discourse is not for him to worry about. “The way I look at it is, I was present and I did my job,” said Vucci, who won a 2021 Pulitzer Prize for his work covering demonstrations following the George Floyd shooting. “I kept my head and I told the story.”

There was other impressive work by photographers at the scene. Getty’s Moneymaker, for example, caught an extraordinarily intimate image of Trump on the floor of the stage, taken peephole-style through the legs of a Secret Service agent shielding him.

Mills’ photograph for The Times is one of a series that shows Trump reaching for his ear after it had been hit. In one of them, barely visible unless the photo is blown up, there’s a streak behind Trump’s head that likely illustrates the displacement of air from a fast-moving projectile, according to a retired FBI special agent quoted in the newspaper. The Times did not discuss the issue on Sunday.

The agent, Michael Harrigan, told the newspaper: “Given the circumstances, if that’s not showing the bullet’s path through the air, I don’t know what else it would be.”

David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://twitter.com/dbauder .

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What became of the flags Apollo astronauts left on the moon?

Even if the flags have remained standing when crews rocketed off the moon, it is almost certain that they are not in the same condition as when they were first deployed on the lunar surface.

55 years ago today, Apollo 11's flag raising on the ancient lunar surface took all of 10 minutes during Neil Armstrong's and Buzz Aldrin's two-and-a-half hour moonwalking adventure in July 1969. 

But that seminal event in vexillological history was not without a lot of debate, discussion and early worries that were run up the policy flagpole about "who owns the moon?" (Vexillology is the study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags.)

Matthew Ward is a senior lecturer in history at the University of Dundee in Scotland. He notes that the American flag is distinctively powerful and seems to be present in the imagery of almost every key event in American history, from Apollo moon landings to firefighters raising the flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center on 9/11 in 2001. "It is difficult to think of any other flag that's so heavily invested in meaning. The Stars and Stripes expresses the spirit, history and identity of an entire nation," Ward points out. 

Symbolic activity 

In the early 1990s, Anne Platoff, then working with Hernandez Engineering Inc. in Houston, Texas put together a NASA contractor report titled, " Where No Flag Has Gone Before: Political and Technical Aspects of Placing a Flag on the Moon ."  

Platoff explains that Apollo 11's flag-raising on the moon was strictly a symbolic activity. Given that the United States was a signatory to the United Nations Treaty on Outer Space, inking that treaty precluded any territorial claim to the moon .

"Nevertheless, there were domestic and international debates over the appropriateness of the event," Platoff explains. Congress amended NASA's appropriations bill to prevent the space agency from unfurling flags of other nations, or those of international associations on the moon during missions funded solely by the United States. 

Platoff notes in her report that the legal status of the moon clearly would not be affected by the presence of a U.S. flag on the lunar surface, "but NASA was aware of the international controversy that might occur as a result."

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Flagpole design 

In Platoff's report, she points out that the Apollo flag-raising also gave NASA engineers technical challenges. 

"They designed a flagpole with a horizontal bar allowing the flag to 'fly' without the benefit of wind to overcome the effects of the moon's lack of an atmosphere. Other factors considered in the design were weight, heat resistance, and ease of assembly by astronauts whose space suits restricted their range of movement and ability to grasp items," Platoff explains. 

Apollo 11's Buzz Aldrin later recounted in an article written for Life magazine that as he looked at the flag, the moonwalker sensed an "almost mystical unification of all people in the world at that moment." 

Aldrin also described what it was like when he and Armstrong were able to put up the flag, a pennant that was purchased locally in Houston for $5.50. 

"Just beneath the powdery surface, the subsoil was very dense," Aldrin recalled. "We succeeded in pushing the flagpole in only a couple of inches. It didn't look very sturdy."

Sun rot 

In carrying out her research, Platoff found that the six flags placed on the moon by Apollo moonwalkers were not all the same size. 

Furthermore, the Apollo 17 flag planted in December 1972, the program's last moon mission, was uniquely noteworthy; that flag had been displayed in the Mission Operations Control Room during the other Apollo missions, and then emplaced on the moon by the last moonwalking crew, Eugene Cernan and Jack Schmitt.

What's not known is the condition of those flags today. Even if the flags have remained standing when crews rocketed off the moon, it is almost certain that they are not in the same condition as when they were first deployed on the lunar surface. "Most likely the nylon of the flag has degraded as the result of prolonged exposure to sunlight," Platoff senses, a destructive outcome that's tagged "sun rot."

The lunar flags are likely to have become brittle and may have disintegrated over time. Yet another damaging threat to the lunar flags is bombardment by moon-mean meteoroid impacts, Platoff concludes. 

Platoff is now a librarian, historian and vexillologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

"One thing that I keep seeing in articles is that the flags would be bleached white from exposure to sunlight. While this does happen to some flags on Earth, I am not sure about the chemical process involved and if that would occur in a lunar environment," Platoff tells Space.com.

Wanted: critical thinking 

As Platoff writes in her 2011 research paper, " Six Flags over Luna: The Role of Flags in Moon Landing Conspiracy Theories ," whether the flags have remained standing or have endured decades of exposure to the harsh lunar environment, "their legacy as a symbol of the human exploration of space remains intact."

Clearly, the significance of these images, said Platoff, "will endure long after the deaths of those who participated in this historic undertaking." 

As for those backing the conspiratorial faking of Apollo moon landings, Platoff is adamant about the matter.

"Refuting the moon landing hoax conspiracies is not difficult to do," Platoff explained to Space.com. "There is plenty of evidence out there to prove that the Apollo landings were real and that human beings have walked on the lunar surface."

The real problem, Platoff adds, is that there's a need to teach people to be critical thinkers. 

 —  Apollo Moon Landing Flags Still Standing, Photos Reveal

 — On the Moon, Flags & Footprints of Apollo Astronauts Won't Last Forever

— Apollo Astronaut's US Flag Secretly Carried on the Moon Heads to Auction

"Do you really think it would be possible to maintain the level of cooperation from everyone involved in the Apollo Program to maintain the hoax for fifty-five years? Or is it more plausible that people working together were able to harness the power of science and technology to achieve the goal of landing astronauts on the moon and bringing them home safely?"

People who deny that the Apollo moon landings occurred, Platoff concludes, "are free to believe what they want, but that doesn't make them right."

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Leonard David is an award-winning space journalist who has been reporting on space activities for more than 50 years. Currently writing as Space.com's Space Insider Columnist among his other projects, Leonard has authored numerous books on space exploration, Mars missions and more, with his latest being "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" published in 2019 by National Geographic. He also wrote "Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet" released in 2016 by National Geographic. Leonard  has served as a correspondent for SpaceNews, Scientific American and Aerospace America for the AIAA. He has received many awards, including the first Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History in 2015 at the AAS Wernher von Braun Memorial Symposium. You can find out Leonard's latest project at his website and on Twitter.

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• Jan Steinman The "proof" that at least one lunar landing occurred is pretty simple, and could be accomplished by a skilled amateur with perhaps $10,000-worth of equipment. The astronauts left behind "corner reflectors," which are prisms or mirrors arranged such that when a laser is directed at them, the beam will be returned at the same angle. Natural moon rock and soil does not respond to laser illumination this way. One would need guidance and tracking gear that a sophisticated amateur astronomy enthusiast would likely already have. It would also need a high-powered laser, and a subsequent detector for the return pulse. Best of all, the concept is simple, and likely to be understood (if only to be denied) by the simple minds that grasp at conspiracy theories. Reply
• Unclear Engineer While I am not a moon landing conspiracy believer, I don't see how the presence of the corner reflectors on the Moon proves that they were put there by humans who landed there. Why could they not be placed there by robotic landers? And, I expect the conspiracy theories are going to become much harder to disprove in the near future, now that the technology has been developed to the point that "deep fake" video can be produced with readily available software. If you can take a video of yourself in your own living room while wearing pajamas and turn it into a video of yourself in your tuxedo shaking hands with the U.S. President in the Oval Office, why believe that somebody else can't fake a video of an astronaut walking on Mars? I think the best evidence is what Anne Platoff said in the article: ""Do you really think it would be possible to maintain the level of cooperation from everyone involved in the Apollo Program to maintain the hoax for fifty-five years?" But, there are people claiming essentially the same sort of long-perpetrated official hoax about extraterrestrials not already visiting Earth. So, yes, I think some people will believe conspiracy theories forever. Reply

Unclear Engineer said: I don't see how the presence of the corner reflectors on the Moon proves that they were put there by humans who landed there. Why could they not be placed there by robotic landers?

Jan Steinman said: You must be a youngster. Those of us who actually lived through the manned lunar landings know that they didn't even have "robotic landers" in 1969. The Apollo Guidance Computer, arguably the most advanced computing device of its time, had 2048 bytes of memory and weighed 32 kilograms. It was a "fly by wire" system that still required live human interaction without the 2.6 seconds it would take for a radio signal round-trip to Earth. If it had been possible to land such an unmanned craft on the moon, they would have done it before they risked human life to land there.

Jan Steinman said: You must be a youngster.

• willydogg Thousands of earth orbiting satellites and inter gallactic telescopes and ZERO pictures of 3 Lunar Rovers and 3 Lunar Base Modules?? These dont Fade like a flag!! 1969 space travel technology...56yrs later we haven't gone back???? Just take your boosters and Let them ask the questions!! Reply

willydogg said: Thousands of earth orbiting satellites and inter gallactic telescopes and ZERO pictures of 3 Lunar Rovers and 3 Lunar Base Modules?? These dont Fade like a flag!! 1969 space travel technology...56yrs later we haven't gone back???? Just take your boosters and Let them ask the questions!!

• Unclear Engineer COLGeek, Thanks. Photos from lunar orbit are the best evidence that humans landed and walked around on the Moon's surface. But, die-hard skeptics can just claim the photos are "deep fakes". And they aren't going to go there themselves and see first-hand, so there is no convincing them. Besides, there are still people walking around on Earth and claiming that the Earth is flat. Sometimes I think people who do that just like to fluster the folks who have interest in scientific things. Reply

COLGeek said: Well, what about these? https://science.nasa.gov/resource/apollo-11-landing-site/ https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/see-apollo-landing-sites-moon

• Max Kennedy "One thing that I keep seeing in articles is that the flags would be bleached white from exposure to sunlight. While this does happen to some flags on Earth, I am not sure about the chemical process involved and if that would occur in a lunar environment ," Platoff tells Space.com. Well, UV radiation on the lunar surface (from incident sunlight) is much stronger than on earth (which has an atmosphere and ozone which filters out most of the UV), and that's all you need for UV-induced chemical degradation of the dye molecules in the flag (and UV-induced chemical degradation of the polymer - whatever it is - from which the flags were made - leading to embrittlement). So yes, you should be pretty sure that that process is occurring in the flags left behind on the moon, and at a much accelerated rate. Reply
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