Flag etiquette
Almost everything we do, ashore and afloat, is governed by laws, which we must obey, and guidance, which we can accept or ignore. When driving, we are governed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act and guided by The Highway Code. At sea, we are bound by the Merchant Shipping Act and guided by advice from the likes of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). For example, the law requires us to wear our national ensign on specified occasions, but we are only advised to hoist it at 0800 and lower it at sunset.
And then we have etiquette, which may be somewhat perplexing but soon becomes second nature. It can be specific or it can simply reflect good manners, courtesy and common sense, thus avoiding awkward or embarrassing pitfalls.
