Protocol Pointers

1. Right Rank Rule - Just about everything in yacht clubs goes to the right

• Collar rank insignia right - club pin goes on the left
• Higher ranks are always to your right, regardless of whom you are facing
• Name and/or rank plate - uppermost right
• Office Flags on your yacht club mast - higher rank right (with gaff pointing aft)
• Home club office Flags on your boat - Starboard Side

2. Canon Shots

• Commodores and Queen of the Chesapeake arriving by boat
• End of National Anthem, End of Taps/or Amazing Grace, After Commodore announces Season Open, Clubs discretion for other ceremonial shots
• Club discretion - other persons or vessels the club wishes to honor
• Club discretion - as required by events (e.g. start of race)

3. U.S. Flag

• Raise up quickly to the top - no exceptions
• Lower Slowly
• Ceremonial - Dip to half mast for prayers, invocations, memorials, and to start the Anthem
• Half Mast - When designated at national, state, local, or club level to honor those who have passed
• Never at the bow or forward half of the boat

4. Ceremonies

• Be on time
• Support and respect the host club - be quiet but cheer when appropriate, listen to the ceremony, sit in the guest area - leave the ceremony area for conversations
• Ask host ahead of time before any presentations, costume, or humorous gesture
• Keep remarks brief
• Complete and proper uniform always
• Host club provides beverages for persons in special guest seating
• Queen: Must be invited, speaks, flower color yellow, gets donation to her charity

5. Fleet Captain

• Carries a large club burgee on all cruises, usually also carries refreshments and supplies
• In charge of all official club cruises including itineraries - Commodores wishes are always considered
• Is always lead boat to destination - upon arrival, coordinates boat docking
• Provides written details for boat captains & crews
• Coordinates with all marinas and other group destinations while on cruise
• Duties at club vary by club - usually deals with boat and pier issues
• F/C anchor insignia on sleeve is sideways with flukes aft (sail is anchor vertical with flukes down)

6. Radio

• VHF 68 is the unofficial Chesapeake Bay yacht club channel for conversation
• Often all on a club cruise will stay on 68 or alternate if 68 is too busy
• Clubs will usually be on 68 for hail and docking
• General Hail on 9 or 16, monitor all 3 if equipment permits

7. Clock of the Bay

• Needs 10 card carrying members to take it back to your club
• Must be displayed where visitors can see it
• Current location of the Clock is never published - it must be found
• A club "raiding party" must buy a round from the club that give up the clock
• The Clock cannot be won at the Opening weekend of the club holding it

8. Uniform Dates (Chesapeake Bay Region)

• All Black: Nov 1 - March 31
• Salt & Pepper Only: April and October
• Salt & Pepper or Whites: May until Memorial Day, Labor Day until October 1
• Whites Only: Memorial Day to Labor Day (white shorts for informal use only)
• Funerals/Memorial Services: Salt & Pepper Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Exceptions at club discretion (e.g. black jackets until club opening)

9. Boat Flags

• Home club burgee is always at the bow, at the top of the mast (sail or power so equipped), or right hoist with office flags directly under (sailboats)
• Other clubs/organizations/office flags to port
• Office flags of other clubs are flown under the associated club burgee
• Combination organization & office flags do not need a separate club burgee
• Past Commodore flags go below all office flags