Flag etiquette

Andy Du Port draws upon 50 years' experience to share the customary way of doing things

- Andy Du Port

AImost everything we do, ashore and afloat, is governed by laws, which we must obey, and guidance, which we can accept or ignore. When driving, we are governed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act and guided by The Highway Code. At sea, we are bound by the Merchant Shipping Act and guided by advice from the likes of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). For example, the law requires us to wear our national ensign on specified occasions, but we are only advised to hoist it at 0800 and lower it at sunset.

And then we have etiquette, which may be somewhat perplexing but soon becomes second nature. It can be specific or it can simply reflect good manners, courtesy and common sense, thus avoiding awkward or embarrassing pitfalls.

Sport-specific

All sports have their etiquette, some of which is quite prescriptive. You only have to google 'golfing etiquette' or 'football etiquette' to see what I mean. Sailing etiquette tends to be more relaxed but, nonetheless, you should be aware of it - even if you then decide to ignore it. The dictionary description is along the lines of: The customary code of polite behaviour among members of a particular group.

In other words, in this context, it is 'what most people do' when afloat in their boats. To add confusion to this somewhat prickly subject, etiquette is continually changing. When I started sailing yachts in the late 1960s it was de rigueur to conduct Colours and Sunset, with due ceremony, when in harbour. Many a snooty look would be directed at a yacht who was two minutes late or whose crew was not smartly turned out. Nowadays, the custom has all but disappeared.