If the ship visited is moored to the pier in such aposition that it is impractical to render the gun salutebefore arrival on board, the salute is rendered (providedlocal regulations don’t forbid gun salutes) after theofficial arrives on board and the commanding officer issure that the dignitary and party are moved to a positionin the ship that is well clear of the saluting battery.The boat or vehicle is piped as it comesalongside.The visitor is piped over the side, and all personson the quarterdeck salute and the guard presentsarms until the termination of the pipe, flourishes,music, or gun salute, depending on which isrendered last.If the gun salute is not prescribed on arrival and aflag or pennant is to be displayed during the visit,it is broken at the start of the pipe.The piping of the side, the ruffles and flourishes,and the music are executed in the order named. Inthe absence of a band, “To the Colors” is soundedon the bugle, instead of the national anthem,when required.The visitor, if entitled to 11 guns or more, isinvited to inspect the guard upon completion ofthe gun salute or such other honors as may beaccorded.On departure, the honors prescribed for an officialvisit are as follows:1. The rail is manned, if required.2. The command “Attention” is sounded as thevisitor arrives on the quarterdeck.3. When the visitor is ready to leave the ship, theguard presents arms, all persons on the quarterdecksalute, and ruffles and flourishes, followed by music, issounded. The visitor then is piped over the side. Thesalute and present arms terminate with the call. If no gunsalute is fired, the flag or pennant displayed in honor ofthe visitor is hauled down.4. The boat or vehicle is piped away from the side.5. If a gun salute is directed upon departure, it isfired when the visitor is clear of the side. If a flag orpennant is displayed in honor of the visitor, it is hauleddown with the last gun of the salute.When possible, the same honors and ceremoniesare rendered for an official visit to a naval station.SIDE BOYSWhen required for attending the side, the requirednumber of side boys will be on deck in the uniform ofthe day. Side boys are mustered, inspected, andinstructed in their duties by the OOD and BMOW. Theyare stationed on either side of the route across thequarterdeck taken by arriving and departinghigh-ranking officers or civilian officials who aremaking official calls to the ship. When the side is pipedby the BMOW on the boatswain’s pipe, from two toeight side boys, depending on the rank of the honoredofficial, will form a passageway to or from the gangway.They salute on the first note of the pipe and drop thesalute together on the last note.Side boys must be particularly smart in appearanceand groomed with polished shoes and immaculateuniforms. Enlisted women detailed to this duty are alsocalled side boys.REVIEW 8 QUESTIONSQ1. When are side boys paraded?Q2. When a gun salute is prescribed, when is it fired?SUMMARYI n t h i s c h a p t e r, y o u h av e l e a r n e d a b o u tcommunications equipment, telephones and telephonetalker responsibilities, and how this equipment andresponsibilities relate to you. You also learned about theimportance of security and why the following correctprocedures are important. This chapter also introducedyou to the use of flags, pennants, and honors accordedvarious military and civilian personnel.4-32Student Notes:
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