Commodore@CBYCA.org

Traditions and Protocols

Doing things well in a consistent and proper fashion is a way of showing pride in yourself, your club, and your boating hobby as well as showing respect to your fellow yachtsmen around the Chesapeake Bay.   Also, traditions and protocols allow us to run events smoothly, effectively mark special occasions, and provide connection back to our founders and forward to the next generation. To this end, the CBYCA collects, monitors, and exchanges information about traditions and protocols of interest to member clubs.   Listed below (in no particular order) answers to commonly asked questions and information that we feel you and your yacht club will find useful. Please find your answer below.  If you are still in need of help email Captain Protocol

Captain Protocol

Term for an appointed CBYCA officer, committee, or article concerned with yacht club customs, traditions, practices, and protocols to provide uniformity and socially acceptable standards for operations of Clubs

Nameplate Etiquette

Yacht clubs love tradition and one of the great traditional rules is “right rank”.  Just as you wear the collar pin of the office you hold on the right, so also belongs the corresponding badge. So, if you are dressed to represent your office as Secretary of XYZ Yacht Club, then your XYZ Yacht Club badge is worn on the right, while your CBYCA, Power Squadron, PRYCA, CCC, DRYL, etc. badges are worn on the left.   How many badges are worn is up to the wearer or the parent organization.   If you wear more than one badge on the right side (maybe because you ran out of space on your jacket) the badge corresponding to the office you are representing should be the highest.   Badges should be worn above pockets but devices on the pocket are OK when multiple devices are worn – the idea is to look balanced. An often heard problem among yacht club folks is   “my badge sags on my shirt, what can I do?”   The trick the military types typically use is to cut out some stiff material from something like a gift box, place it behind the shirt material, and pin the badge through it – takes a bit of practice to get right – don’t pick a color that shows through the shirt.

Flags

Why worry about where and how flags are flown?   Well, before radio and electric lights, flags were how boats communicated at a distance and have become the traditional way that boats tell something of themselves, the owners, and the guests on board.   There are many complications and variations but the main rule to remember is the “right rank” rule. So what rank is right for your boat? It is the one that corresponds to the “official” burgee flown at the bow (power only) or masthead (sail or power). Sailboats may also fly the boat’s “official” burgee on a Starboard hoist. “Official” in this case means the club or organization that you want your boat to represent. It is usually your home yacht club but may be changed for reasons such as cruising with another club to which you belong.

On a boat the place of Honor for the United States National Ensign is at the aft on a pole angled at about 30 degrees. The display standard at most yacht clubs is a spreading yardarm with gaff.  The Ensign is flown from angled gaff with the Club Flag flown on the highest vertical mast. If a yardarm is not available, traditions for display of the United States Ensign is to hoist it on the highest pole of the facility. For more information on mast and flag handling see Flags and Opening Day Presentations.

The flags you fly to Starboard represent the offices of all aboard corresponding to your “official” club burgee or organization flag.  Flags flown to Port are, in general, any other burgees or office flags of the owners or guests aboard the boat. Always remember to group the burgees and offices together.   For example, you should expect to see the Ventnor YC burgee with a Commodore flag under it followed by the Bristol YC burgee with the CBYCA Delegate flag under it if the Ventnor Commodore and the Bristol Delegate or Alternate were aboard that boat. To put the flags and burgees in the right order, remember “place higher in order of rank” and   “higher in order of most to least represented”. For example, club office flags of any rank are flown above the Past Commodore Flag because Past Commodore is a personal flag vs. the many represented by a club office flag.   Another example is that DRYL, PRYCA, CCC and CBYCA flags, representing regional organizations, would be flown above club burgees.   An NBF flag, representing a national organization, would be flown above CCC and CBYCA flags. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules. Also be aware of additional rules of other organizations such as the U.S. Power Squadrons and Coast Guard Auxiliary. For detailed flag guidance, there are many good references such as CHAPMANS and the U.S. Power Squadrons guide.

Saluting

Naval etiquette for men or women permits salutes only in uniform and only when covered (i.e. when a hat is worn). When uncovered in uniform or in civilian attire, proper naval etiquette requires coming to attention but no salute. When uncovered in uniform or when in civilian attire, salute the U.S. Flag with hand over heart.

There is a strong desire by many to salute the Bridge (or Quarterdeck) Officer during a yacht club ceremony, hat or no hat. Among many Chesapeake Bay area clubs, it has become acceptable, when in uniform, to salute the Bridge Officer when “Coming Aboard” during indoor ceremonies where hats are not worn. Host clubs desiring greater formality with strict adherence to naval etiquette should remind their guests in invitations and flyers that representing officials in uniform are requested to wear hats during introductions. On such occasions, host club officer(s) manning the Bridge also should be wearing hats to properly receive the salutes. Those who are not comfortable with salutes can show respect to the host club by pausing at attention for a moment at the appropriate spot. Never respond with a salute unless one is given to you.

General Etiquette

When attending or participating in any club event, the chief thing to keep in mind either as a visitor or club member is to act with courtesy and respect to others.   There are times when we wish to mark a special occasion though certain customs, traditions, and protocols.   Even if some of these things may be “old hat” to you personally, keep in mind that each ceremony we attend is special and unique to the host club, its organizers, and honored guests and that we should always work together to ensure the occasion is the best it can be for everyone involved.  Please consider the following points next time you attend a function:

  1. When someone is speaking, be quiet and attentive to the speaker.  If you must carry on a conversation during a speech, withdraw from the ceremony area.   Although everyone is anxious and antsy by the time the Commodore speaks, remember that this is a special and unique moment for the host club and its members. On the other hand, we are there to celebrate fun and good fellowship on the water which means a certain amount of conversation and “carrying-on” is fine as long it does not detract from, delay, or disrupt the ceremony.
  2. Always dress appropriately for the occasion, especially if you will be part of the ceremony. If you are wearing a yacht club traditional or blazer uniform, ensure it is complete and properly worn. For example, there should be no shirttails out and no mismatched clothing such as a uniform shirt with gym pants or shorts. Never insult the host club or embarrass your own club by being introduced and rendering honors in sloppy, inappropriate, or improper attire. Only in the most unusual circumstances, such as fighting a boat fire (this really happened at Bodkin YC during their 2000 Flag Raising) is there a good excuse not to look your best.
  3. If you want to make a humorous gesture or demonstration, check with the folks running the ceremony first. It is very rude to do what you want without first checking with the host.  Act with restraint. This is a judgment area. The more far out you are the more likely you might offend some of the folks in attendance.   For presentations at the podium of a plaque, burgee, etc., you need not check with the hosts first unless you are planning something extreme.  When in doubt, ask first.
  4. BE ON TIME. Allow time to register – the hosts are working hard to keep things organized. Be at the starting line when needed. Don’t make the hosts have to herd you into position. If you are late, never demand special consideration. The hosts will line you up at their convenience and in their way, not yours. There is no alphabetical precedence for late arrivals.
  5. NO LAST MINUTE SPECIAL REQUESTS.   For example, if you have to speak or be introduced out of order, work it out with the host club well ahead of time.
  6.  Host clubs must START ON TIME AND KEEP THE CEREMONY MOVING, especially if there are multiple events that day at different clubs that many of the guests will be attending. In turn, if the events are reasonably scheduled and coordinated, guests should stay for the entire ceremony. Try to remain, to the maximum practical extent (it can get hot and nature calls), in the VIP seating area until the ceremony is over.

Uniforms and Attire

In addition to guidance found the CBYCA yearbook and other sources, keep the following pointers in mind:

  1. Shorts:  Shorts can be part of the traditional yacht club uniform. Dress shorts are acceptable for men or women as long as they match the rest of the uniform (color, texture, weave, material, etc.). They should have belt loops and pockets and be worn with a white uniform belt and buckle. If your club likes cuffed uniform shorts, then all should wear cuffed shorts – no mixing. Most of the worlds Navies have a shorts uniform (the Brits look especially sharp) and the U. S. Navy has had it from time to time. Whatever your club chooses to do, make every effort to have your representatives match each other (unless they are dressed in the uniform of another organization). An exception to this is that men may wear long pants while women wear shorts or skirts. However, on such an occasion, the women should match each other (i.e. shorts OR pants OR skirts – no mixing).
  2. Skirts: For women, skirts are always appropriate and are preferred for formal occasions with ankle length skirts worn for the most formal occasions.
  3. Non-traditional uniforms: Clubs with non-traditional yacht club uniforms (e.g. blazers and slacks) may elect to follow the same rules and protocols (e.g. saluting and hat, no hat – if your club uniform has a hat) as clubs with traditional naval style uniforms. Otherwise, they should follow “civilian” protocols.
  4. Civilian Attire: Normal civilian protocols always apply, even if you are a part of the ceremony. Men remove hats indoors, during the National Anthem, and memorial for the departed. No saluting unless you really feel it is appropriate.       If you are introduced and “come aboard” as part of the ceremony, you should be dressed in appropriate attire that is respectful of the host club and the ceremony. Civilians “coming aboard” should use the hand over heart salute for the ensign and pause at attention before the OOD. To avoid awkwardness, you may wish to “request permission to come aboard”, after which the OOD responds with “come aboard”.
  5. Uniform of the Day: Your Commodore or senior officer attending determines your club uniform of the day and should ensure that your club wears attire that is appropriate and respectful. Except when an individual is dressed to match the uniform of another organization, your club representatives should match each other to the maximum extent practical.
  6. Cover and Caps:   All persons in uniform should have a cover (hat) which conforms to the uniform. IE: Man’s Uniform + Man’s Cover, Woman’s Uniform + Ladies Cap.  Covers and caps are worn equally outdoors and when given commands to un-cover/cover.  It is established that women customarily wear hats within buildings, such as at religious ceremonies or services and at public gatherings or social events indoors and this follows in military traditions as in civilian life.  A woman’s hat or cover is considered part of her dress and is not removed, except when work or other labors would so dictate such as in a classroom or where it would be an encumbrance to perform a task.
  7. Feel comfortable also to wear some other form of garment or cover at various types of religious service which may require a shawl, vale or removal of foot wear.   The military conforms to custom as long as it does not affect the mission.

Honor Guard Salute in Group

Only the senior person in the group returns the honor guard salute.   The reasons for the senior person only salute to an honor guard are: 1) Salutes, as a matter of courtesy, are always returned,   2) As each yacht club group passes through, the honor guard is rendering honor to the organization, not the individuals passing through, 3)   The senior person acts on behalf of the organization, and   4) The individuals passing through form a unit representing their organization – the senior person acts on behalf of the unit (e.g. like an army platoon leader saluting on behalf of his platoon). This interpretation is also consistent with the commonly practiced yacht club custom that only the senior officer salutes the bridge while the rest of the group lines up, followed by a step forward out of formation where each individual salutes when introduced and recognized.

Please note that the senior person holds the salute until exiting the Honor Guard formation. The Honor Guard holds the salute until the last person in the organization has exited the Honor Guard formation. Under no circumstances should the Honor Guard drop their salute before the senior person has dropped their salute.

Coming Aboard and Rendering Honors

Another yacht club custom (often used for Opening Day/Flag Raising), which reflects nautical and naval traditions, is the approach to the Bridge to render honors.   The speakers stand, usually near the yardarm when outdoors, represents the Bridge (or Quarterdeck) of the host club where the Officer of the Deck (OOD) is standing watch. In yacht club ceremonies, the OOD is the officer who accepts and returns salutes and other courtesies as well as granting the visitors the traditional permission to come aboard.   The OOD is usually not the Master of Ceremonies because it is awkward to run the show and also be in it. At opening ceremonies, the OOD is usually the Commodore.

The typical yacht club ceremony follows the naval tradition of coming aboard ship where the ensign (U.S. Flag) is saluted at the top of the gangway, and then the OOD is saluted with a request for permission to come aboard. Unlike when passing as a group through the honor guard, all salute (if covered and in uniform) the ensign because ranks are temporarily broken to “cross the gangway”. The unit reforms on the Bridge (or Quarterdeck) to be introduced by the senior officer. The individual does not salute until they called from ranks to be recognized. If not in uniform, a person may salute the ensign with hand over heart or by pausing, facing the ensign, and coming to attention.   The group salute often seen at the end of a visiting club introduction and remarks is a formal rendering of honors from a group in formation and provides for a graceful (hopefully) and ceremonious exit.   The group salute is reminiscent of the naval tradition of “manning the rails” where passing ships exchange group salutes of crewmembers assembled at attention on the side facing a passing ship or place of honor.   The senior officer of the group leads the salute with the words “XYZ Yacht Club, Hand Salute”. The group salutes in unison on the word “salute”.   The senior officer then says “Ready, two” On the word “two” the group drops salute, turns and heads toward the beverage cooler.

Precedence of Officers

The line up of officers is as follows:

  • Commodore
  • Vice Commodore
  • Rear Commodore
  • Fleet Captain
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Fleet Chaplain
  • Fleet Surgeon
  • Senior Board Member -to- Junior Board Member
  • Immediate Past Commodore
  • Most Senior Past Commodore -to- Most Junior Past Commodore

Past Commodores should line up and be introduced oldest to newest. The Immediate Past Commodore (IP/C) should be last.   However, many clubs introduce the IP/C after current officers because the IP/C is a current Board Member.