Bow Markings

be flown at the foretruck and the national ensign flown at the main-truck. When a single masted flagship is dressed or full-dressed, however, the personal flag or pennant is hoisted at the starboard yardarm. During a gun salute, the ensign is displayed at the main-truck. Any personal flag is lowered clear of the ensign. FLAG DISPLAYS IN BOATS The ensign is flown from the stern of naval boats. The ensign should never be so large that it hangs in the water when the boat is afloat. When the ensign becomes soiled, it should be changed for a clean ensign. Our flag should be flown from boats during the following times: When under way during daylight in a foreign port When ships are required to be dressed or full-dressed When going alongside a foreign vessel When an officer or official is embarked on an official occasion When a flag or general officer, a unit commander, a commanding officer, or a chief of staff, in uniform, is embarked in a boat of the command or in one assigned for personal use At other times when prescribed by the senior officer present When an officer in command (or chief of staff) entitled to a personal flag or pennant is embarked in a boat on an official occasion, the appropriate flag or pennant is flown at the bow. (If not entitled to a personal flag or pennant, a commission pennant is displayed.) On other than official occasions, a miniature personal flag or pennant is displayed near the coxswain’s station. 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 4-26 Student Notes: Figure 4-29.—Flagstaff insignias.