I was trying to identify an OCC flag being flown on a vessel (like a burgee, but rectangular). I found it via Google on crwflags.com, identified as a “House Flag”, whatever that is. A note by Daria Blackwell states that the OCC Brand Manual and Style Guidelines is on the website, available to club officers and port officers. Apparently there isn’t any place that shows the various flags and burgees used by the OCC on our website for all members (or I’ve missed it). The search feature does not find anything. Can we add a page to show and explain our own insignia, available for all members?

I *thought* I had seen it somewhere! Could we add search terms for the resource files? E.g. “burgee”, “flag”, “ensign”, “insignia”, “brand”, “style”, “guidelines” and “manual” for this document would be useful.

The second question I have is about the house flag. I see two common definitions - a flag you use on your house (could be any type of flag at all), and “Merchant ships often fly a flag identifying which company owns the vessel. This was formerly flown from the mainmast but is now usually flown from the jackstaff.” Neither seems correct for flying the house flag from a private vessel.

Thankyou!
John

+x

 

John Morfit - 19 Sep 2022

I *thought* I had seen it somewhere! Could we add search terms for the resource files? E.g. “burgee”, “flag”, “ensign”, “insignia”, “brand”, “style”, “guidelines” and “manual” for this document would be useful. The second question I have is about the house flag. I see two common definitions - a flag you use on your house (could be any type of flag at all), and “Merchant ships often fly a flag identifying which company owns the vessel. This was formerly flown from the mainmast but is now usually flown from the jackstaff.” Neither seems correct for flying the house flag from a private vessel.Thankyou!John

John,
I'm definitely no expert on flag etiquette but I know others seem to take it very seriously and there have been a few prior discussions. One Forum link that came up on my search is below. https://forum.oceancruisingclub.org/Topic1587-2.aspx. In addition, George Curtis also wrote the definitive article in Flying Fish 2005-1 entitled 'Flag Etiquette'.

As far as I am concerned flags, burgees and even vinyl bumper stickers on the boom are there to attract the attention of fellow members and so it doesn't much matter where they are flown or when. I do realise that this comment may be construed as heresy and I do hope George Curtis doesn't read this!

Simon