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ensign.]] ENSIGNS , as currently used by the United Kingdom 's Merchant Navy .]] Ensign s are national maritime flags flown by ships, at the stern, from a gaff, or from the yard-arm. In some countries (e.g., the United Kingdom , Russia or Australia ) there are distinct Naval and Merchant Ensigns , while in other countries (e.g., the United States or France ) the merchant and naval ensigns are identical to the National Flag flown on land. Ensigns are usually required to be flown when entering and leaving harbour, when sailing through foreign waters, and when the ship is signalled to do so by a warship. Warships usually fly their ensigns between the morning colours ceremony and sunset, when underway, and at all times when engaged in battle, the " Battle Ensign ". When engaged in battle flown and a second ensign in other mast (a tradition from the era of the sailships when masts were targets, and the second ensign flown in order to keep the ensign flying even after a hit on mast). ensign.]] ETIQUETTE The position of honour on a ship is the quarterdeck at the stern of the ship, and thus ensigns are traditionally flown either from an ensign staff at the ship's stern, or from a gaff rigged over the stern. Nowadays when a ship is at sea the ensign is often shifted to the starboard yardarm. It should be noted that the usual rule that no flag should be flown higher than the national flag does not apply on board a ship: a flag flown at the stern is always in a superior position to a flag flown elsewhere on the ship, even if the latter is higher up. Nautical etiquette requires that merchant vessels dip their ensigns in salute to passing warships, which acknowledge the salute by dipping their ensigns in return. Contrary to popular belief the United States Navy does dip the Stars And Stripes in acknowledgement of salutes rendered to it. Merchant vessels also traditionally fly the ensign of the nation in whose territorial waters they are sailing at the masthead or yard-arm. This is known as a Courtesy Flag . The flying of a ship's ensign upside-down is a mark of distress. The flying of two ensigns of two different countries, one above the other, on the same staff is a sign that the vessel concerned has been captured or has surrendered during wartime. The ensign flying in the inferior, or lower, position is that of the country the ship has been captured from: conversely, the ensign flying in the superior, or upper position, is that of the country that has captured the ship. JACKS Jack.]] Jack ( Greek 'Επίσημο Πολεμικών Πλοίων').]] Jacks are additional national flags flown by warships (and certain other vessels) at the head of the ship. These are usually flown only when not underway and when the ship is dressed on special occasions. In the flown from the jack staff is known as the Dunkirk jack, and is customarily flown by ships and boats which took part in the Dunkirk rescue operation in 1940 . The flying of the St George's Cross elsewhere on a civilian ship is illegal, as it is the rank flag of a four-star Admiral . jack.]] OTHER FLAGS Rank flags The Distinguishing Flag or Rank Flag is the flag flown by a superior officer on his Flagship (hence the term flagship ) or headquarters. The origins of this are from the era before radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony, when orders were given by flag signals. The flag denotes the ship which must be watched for signals designating orders. Such flags also flown by members of the government (presidents, prime ministers or defence secreteries) when aboard Navy ships, showing the ship to hold the headquarters of highest level of authority for the Armed Forces. Today, with the progress in communications, this flag indicates the obligation of the other Naval vessels to pay the relevant honours ( Manning The Rail s, Firing Cannon Salute , attention, etc.) according to nautical etiquette. In a group of naval ships all commanded by superior officers, only the commander of the group or the officer of the highest rank can fly his flag. flying on the mast of a ship (the fourth star can hardly be seen behind the mast)]]
Pennants
House flag Some ships fly a house or company flag that indicates the company that they belong to. This was formerly flown from the mainmast but is now usually flown from a short mast at the bow. Yacht club burgee Yachts belonging to Yacht Club s fly their yacht club's triangular ''burgee'' from the masthead. This is compulsory if the yacht is flying a special ensign that members of the club have been granted permission to fly. Unit citations Warships of various navies may be awarded a Unit Citation , for which a burgee (tapering flag with swallow-tail fly) is flown when in port.
SIGNAL FLAGS There is a system of International Maritime Signal Flags for each numeral and letter of the alphabet. Each flag or pennant has an additional meaning when flown individually. SEE ALSO |
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