ATTACHMENT 4

Flag Regulations
How to Handle Flags
ALWAYS
Treat with respect
Keep it clean
Hang it freely
Tie with small knots
Fly it free right at the top (Except when flying half mast)

NEVER
-Allow flag to touch the deck or ground
-Tow in water
-Pierce with nails or pins
-Have loose ends sticking out
-Sit, stand, lie down or sleep on the flag

After use, when dry, carefully

Fold & roll towards the base.
Store in proper place When no longer to be used as National
symbol burn or take
the seams apart.

Where to Fly Flags

National Flag
On Aft Flagstaff or under the Gaff
OR
When underway - On the Gaff
Foreign National Flag
Forward masthead
House Flag (Companys, Owner's or Chatterers)
On the aft-most masthead (Note: Where only one mast amidships exists, House flag must
give way to foreign national flag)
Jack
On the Forward jack staff.
International Signal Flags
'Q' (Quarantine): On signal mast OR As per instructions of the port.
'G' (Pilot Request): On signal mast OR where it can be most easily seen.
'H' (Pilot on Board): As per local practice, as requested by the pilot.
When to Fly Flags
NOTE: SOME COUNTRIES REQUIRE FLAGS TO BE FLOWN FOR 24 HOURS PER DAY.
In Port
Hoisting Time: If sunrise before 0800 Hrs - At 0800 Hrs.
: If sunrise after 0800 Hrs - At 0900 Hrs.
Hauling Down: At sunset
(But not before 1500 Hrs. and not later than 2100 Hrs.)
When Underway
Whenever sufficient light exists for flags to be seen, when near ports, signal stations and when required as per the Masters judgment.
Flag Dressing on Holidays
Applicability
On certain Holidays and Special occasions ships are dressed by flying flags.
Small Dressing

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National flag - Aft,

House flag - Main masthead
Jack - Forward
In port - National Mercantile flag - Fore mast head
In foreign port - Foreign National flag - Fore mast head
Full Dressing
All flags as described in small dressing and in addition: Signal flags from top to deck on leeward side abaft the beam, equally spaced apart.
Flags are to be of smaller size than the National flag flying aft.
Suggested Dress
Foremast: R-S-E-Q-U-N-D-O-A-L-C-H-P
Mainmast: B-X-G-M-V-I-J-Z-W-K-T
Flying Flags at Half Mast
Applicability
During funerals at sea when the ceremony is in progress
OR
Upon arrival in port when someone on board has died during the voyage
OR
When ship is carrying the body of someone who wished to be commemorated in this manner.

Procedure
Hoisting
Flags shall be hoisted to the top and then hauled down to half-mast as follows: National Flag
Middle distance from top to above the rail or 2/3rd height from the deck to the peak.
Jack
Flag's middle to be about flagstaff's middle length above rail.
Lowering
Flags must be hoisted to the top first and then hauled down in the normal way.
NOTE: Full Dressing and flying Half-mast must not be combined.
Dipping Flags or Saluting
Applicability
When meeting a warship or a fleet of warships, in which case only the Fleet Commander's vessel to be saluted.
Procedure
Hoist the flag to the top - if not already hoisted or if flying at half-mast. Salute by slowly lowering the flag with tight halyards until the
bottom touches the rail.
Between the vessels, the first to haul down shall be the last to hoist again.
If flag was flying at half-mast prior to saluting, hoist to the top and lower again to half-mast height.

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