Yacht captains in a From the Bridge luncheon recently commented about the loss of traditions on yachts. “Who flies a blue flag anymore?” one of them lamented.

We’re not sure, so we asked. We received answers to this month’s Triton survey from 160 captains and crew and we were heartened to learn that most yacht crew not only know about these traditions, but still practice them onboard.

Have you ever worked on a yacht that performed traditions specific to yachting? By this we meant raising and lowering flags at certain times, replacing relevant flags with lights after sunset, taking part in rituals or ceremonies to honor the gods of the sea, etc.

Most yacht crew -- 84.7 percent -- have worked on yachts that follow traditions. And more than half of those do so on their current vessel.

“I actually cannot recall any vessel that I have crewed on that does not follow 0800 flag up, sunset, flag down," said an engineer on yachts more than 10 years. “It's fun to keep the history and traditions alive.”

“Traditions are a good thing, within reason, and hearken back to a kinder, gentler time when yachting was enjoyed by yachtsmen in sharp contrast to today's owners,” said a captain in yachting more than 30 years. “Yachtsmen were aware and educated about traditions, and they were appreciative of the small details that separate a yacht from a boat. 

“I might add that this is regardless of vessel size,” this captain said. “Naturally, adjustments can be made for a more family-style run yacht, however all of the owners that I have introduced and educated about the more common traditions quickly ‘got it’ and enjoyed following at least the more basic ones aboard. 

“In short, traditions are a good thing and knowledge of them, whether followed or not, are part of what sets a true professional apart from the rest.”

Just 15 percent of captains and crew have not worked on a yacht that performed traditions.

“Unless a classic regatta or race or gathering, traditions are dying off aboard the modern yachts,” said a captain on a yacht less than 100 feet who has been in the industry more than 15 years. “Crews don't have time for this stuff and owners don't seem to care too much."

We wondered if traditions were a thing of the past, so we asked When was the last time you were involved in a yachting tradition?

The largest group -- about 36 percent -- admitted it has been a while. But a quarter of respondents said “today” and almost 29 percent said “this season.”

In an effort to find out which traditions yachts follow, we asked Which flags does your vessel fly?

All fly the country flag of registration on the stern. But only 126 of the 160 respondents fly the courtesy flag. Just 68 fly a yacht club flag (on the bow), and 51 fly the owner’s burgee (top of the mast).

“You forgot yacht club flags,” said the captain of a yacht less than 80 feet. “Many owners are bridge officers of their respective yacht clubs. We have flown Rear Commodore, Commodore and Fleet Captain flags.”

When it comes to yachting traditions, none may be more classic than flying the blue flag when the owner is not onboard. (It becomes a blue light at night.) Just 27 of our 160 respondents do this, about 16.8 percent.

“I miss the pomp and tradition that yachting used to have more of,” said the captain of a yacht between 140-160 feet who has been in yachting more than 20 years. “I wonder if anyone still sells the blue and white owner-aboard light like we used to see. Has anyone seen one lately?”

We were curious if this blue flag/light was just a tradition for large vessels, so we crunched these numbers by size of yacht. We were right. There was a strong drop in blue flags among smaller vessels. Vessels of less than 120 feet made up 52 percent of overall respondents but just 26 percent of vessels that fly a blue flag.

When the owner is aboard and dining, it used to be common to see a white flag (or a white light after sunset). Just 17 of our respondents do this, about 10.6 percent.

And when moored on Sunday or on holidays, it used to be common to see the Union Jack fly. Just three of our survey respondents noted that they still do this, just 1.8 percent.

Does your vessel hoist flags at 0800 and lower them at sunset?

Most yacht crew -- 64.1 percent -- still follow this tradition, presumably briskly in the morning, and slowly in the evenings. 

“The following of proper flag etiquette is the very least yacht crew should do,” said a captain in yachting more than 30 years.

“The only reason we do not lower our ensign at night is that we have it illuminated,” said a captain in yachting more than 25 years.

“I was warned how strict the flag hoist and lowering had to be when in New England waters a few years ago,”  said a captain in yachting more than 15 years. “I was one of the few following the guns and 0800, etc. By the end of the summer, we gave up.”

“The ensign flag ceremonies of raising at 0800 and lowering at local sunset are vital training of the assigned deckhand,” said the captain of a yacht 140-160 feet. “This is the only item that the lowest deck rank would be held personally responsible for (on my yachts). It teaches respect and responsibility, vital attributes for deck crew when advancing through the ranks. 

“Attention to detail is a cornerstone of navigation, safety and life onboard, so traditions that teach these should be maintained,” this captain said. “Once you forget your heritage/traditions you have no basis for your future. Good-bye respect; hello yachting ‘industry’."

Does your yacht dip your country flag when passing by a navy ship?

Most have let this tradition slide. Just 24.5 percent still do this.

Among those yachts that do perform flag traditions, we were curious to know Is it because of the captain or the owner?

In most cases, it is either the captain (nearly 50 percent of responses) or both (25.3 percent) that require that flag traditions be followed. More than 23 percent, however, said it was neither, which leaves us to believe crew may be doing this on their own.

Another yachting tradition is dressing for different situations, including owner arrival, pulling into port and simply nightfall. So we asked When do you dress for the occasion?

Most -- 115 of respondents -- dress for the owner’s and/or guests’ arrival. But just half  -- 82 of the 160 respondents -- dress for dinner or evening. 

“Uniform protocol varies widely, and in part depends on the type of vessel, but greeting the owner in your best uniform is hardly much to ask, and shows respect for the person who pays us,” said a captain in yachting more than 30 years.

And the art of dressing for arrival into port may be a dying tradition. Just 45 respondents -- 28 percent -- follow this custom today.

We crunched these numbers by yacht size and discovered that the larger the vessel, the more likely the crew was to dress for arrival. Though yachts between 121-140 feet made up just 14.6 percent of all respondents, the group made up 47 percent of those who dress for their arrival into port.

Do crew enter from the port side and owner / guests from the starboard side?

This question may not have been worded the best way, nor did the available answers target every scenario (such as there being no port-side entryway on many smaller yachts). Even so, just a quarter of respondents follow this tradition of reserving the starboard formal entryway for owner and guests.

We crunched the results of those who answered “no” to this question by vessel size, and we were surprised to learn that size didn’t dictate a no answer.

And finally, we were curious to know What do you think of yachting traditions?

Most respondents -- 56 percent -- agreed that traditions are part of yachting and should be followed, regardless of the size or type of vessel.

“Traditions are what built yachting,” said the captain of a yacht less than 80 feet. “They should be followed as best they can.”

“Flags wear out at high speed and hence are inappropriate for fast yachts,” said the captain of a yacht 100-120 feet. “Flag tradition is as old as yachting itself and should be respected and carried on.”

More than a quarter of respondents thought traditions were fine for large yachts, but didn’t fit with smaller, family-oriented yachts.

“Large yachts with seven or more crew should follow flag traditions,” said the captain of a yacht 100-120 feet.

“It's good for the yachts with more than one or two crew, and it looks smart,” said a captain in yachitng more than 10 years. “It shows the other boats that you are aware of your surroundings and taking an interest in some of the finer aspects of yachting.

“Some of the smaller boats do not make the flagstaff accessible behind the tender, making it virtually unreachable at the best of times,” this captain said. “You cannot fault a designer who forgets the practicality of actually working aboard.”

Only 6 percent thought traditions were just for show when the boss or guests were around.

And about 10 percent admitted yachting traditions were a bit old-fashioned.

We were curious to know if tenure played a part in this opinion so we crunched these answers by length of time in the industry. Not surprisingly, few veteran captains and crew (just 3.8 percent of those with more than 20 years in the industry) thought traditions were old-fashioned, compared with those in the industry less than 20 years (14.8 percent of that group thought traditions were old fashioned).

A few more thoughts about yachting traditions:

I am sorry to see them disappear. I feel they help create crew unity, respect for the sea, and just plain ol' good feelings.

In an era with decreasing effort put forth toward gentlemanly behavior, honor or tradition, it is nice to see properly dressed boats with appropriately groomed crew as we travel throughout the world. Traditions define where we come from and the people that have come before us in our industry. They are not only significant to us, but the entire maritime industry. A boat that follows traditions looks sharper than boats that don't. 

Tradition, ceremony and courtesy are what separates yachting from boating.

Freedom of choice is what being on the ocean and yachting is all about. Traditions can be fun and everyone should practice a few.

I know of no other profession that holds onto traditions as much as the maritime profession. Not only because most of these traditions make sense and provide order to daily life, but it also pays tribute to our predecessors who lived and died at sea

I am disappointed at how many boats have no idea of tradition, especially flag etiquette. I see flags flown improperly all the time. It’s all part of the same thing, like good paint, shiny varnish, polished metal, clean flags in good repair, etc. A proper yacht.

The level to which a yacht crew consistently follows practical traditions is a direct and positive reflection of their intentions and abilities to uphold the highest level of standards. Too often, traditions get overlooked, and too often we miss the point. Handling the flags and lights in the appropriate manner and time gives the crew a sense of proper accomplishment and pride in a job well done. It reflects well upon the vessel, crew and owner. I may not notice all of the yachts that do not follow traditional etiquette, but I sure notice the few that do. If you do not at least handle your ensign properly, I encourage you to do so. You would be surprised as to who notices and what it means. On a previous U.S. flagged yacht, we properly folded the flag every night. We once had a retired four-star Navy admiral onboard who saw two crew folding the flag. He quietly stepped outside to where they were folding the flag, waited for them to complete their task, then reverently saluted each of them and shook their hands with words of gratitude and with great respect for what they had just done. Tell me that experience didn't make their effort worthwhile.

Doing flags at colors and sunset usually indicates a well-run yacht. Owners and captain older than 50 like tradition; for the next generation, it’s not as important.

Here in the Med it seems only to be the classic yachts that keep up the traditions. May God bless them on the water.

Traditions now seem only possible on private yachts and for owners and crew who respect and enjoy the sea, which is unfortunate. Most yachts now have different type and style of owner who only wants to show a yacht as a status symbol and taxi.

I respect yachting tradition. What is more important is seamanship, which includes navigation without instruments. Anyone offering themselves as crew should come equipped with basic knowledge of nautical terms and a good understanding of all maneuvers. Owners should strongly consider chalk-talks and drills, all sailing maneuvers, man overboard, anchoring, reefing and steering.

Crew who are only in yachting for what they can get out of it financially are destroying it. The fun side is starting to disappear.

There are only a few mariners left who follow the traditions, including me. I was once at Ocean Reef Club and dressed up the yacht for the 4th of July with all the flags in the right order. Some club members asked "Is there a birthday party or something?" I gave up after that.

To read about more yachting traditions, and even some superstitions, click here.

We conduct our monthly surveys online. All captains and crew members are welcome to participate. If you haven’t been invited to take our surveys and would like to be, register for our e-mails online at www.the-triton.com.

About the Author

Lucy Chabot Reed

Editor

Lucy Chabot Reed is editor of The Triton.