Bow Markings
Many boats carry bow markings to indicate to
whom the boat is assigned. A boat having an arrow in
the bow is assigned for use by a commanding officer or a
chief of staff who is not a flag officer. A miniature of the
command pennant is on the bow of the boat assigned to a
unit commander. A boat assigned for the personal use of
a flag or general officer has on each bow the number of
stars corresponding to the officer’s rank.
Flagstaff Insignias
Boats assigned to officers for personal use or boats
in which a civil official is embarked on official business
are marked with special devices on the flagstaff. The
flagstaff for the ensign and for the personal flags or
pennants is fitted at the peak with these special devices,
shown in figure 4-29, as follows:
Spread eagle: For any civilian official or flag
officer whose official salute is 19 guns or more
Halbert: For a flag or general officer whose
official salute is less than 19 guns or for a civil
official whose salute is 11 guns or more but less
than 19
Ball: For an officer of the grade, or relative grade,
of captain in the Navy, and for certain diplomatic
officials
Star: For an officer of the grade, or relative
grade, of commander
Flat truck: For an officer below the grade, or
relative grade, of commander, and for civil
officials entitled to honors of a lesser nature than
those previously described
Boat landings for officers usually are separate from
those for enlisted personnel; but there may be times,
especially overseas, when they are in the same location.
4-30
Student Notes:
Figure 4-28.—Personal flags.
Figure 4-29.—Flagstaff insignias.
