Marinas Update 

Landings Harbor operating hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, as of November 1, and Delegal Creek Marina will adjust to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily to coincide with Daylight Saving Time. 

The dredging project at Landings Harbor Marina continues into November as planned. Some minor equipment repairs that challenged the project during the first couple of weeks of operating in the Northwest basin of the Harbor have been resolved and are running smoothly. Estate Management is performing well and operating within the project’s scope to achieve the minimum depth outlined in their contract. The Marina staff continue to work ahead of the dredge to remove vessels from the slips so that the project continues to be effective and efficient. All vessels are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when navigating within the basin during the dredging project. Remember that the pipelines are fewer than 12 inches below the water’s surface and are not illuminated during non-daylight hours. The dredge pipeline is marked with yellow buoys and floating near the water’s surface. 

The final roof panels have been removed above the “M” rack section that created several high-profile spaces for vessels that require more than 12 feet of overhead clearance. The vacancies created by removing the roof sections will be filled with vessels that are currently in racks and need to be relocated or from the waiting list. 

The Landings Harbor’s dry storage replacement project is our primary focus during the upcoming months. Four major dry storage building contractors are being contacted to discuss the best available system to meet the current occupancy and provide an option to increase the occupancy. The goal is to construct a 310-to-320 boat storage system for Landings Harbor Marina while providing a clean, functional, and aesthetically pleasing structure that will enhance all property owners’ amenities. 

The jet ski dry storage area has been expanded from 14 to 17 racks to help keep up with residents’ demand for storage of these watercraft. Three additional racks are on order from Aqua Cart and will be placed into service immediately. 

Marinas team members will undergo training to meet new environmental requirements for operating underground fuel tanks and systems beginning December 15. These new regulations require that specific staff be certified as either a class A/B operator or class C operator. These certifications provide the knowledge to inspect, identify, and record our fuel system components and their condition to prevent spills and releases into the environment. There are currently three team members who hold Class C operator certificates and one individual with a class B and C certification. 

 With the holidays approaching, we want to ensure that our inventory is well stocked with new and exciting items. Leopold’s Ice Cream has added new flavors to their small cup ice cream line, and Landings Harbor has five of their best flavors that you should not miss. 

Stay tuned for more information, and we look forward to seeing you at the Marinas! 

Flagpole Etiquette Questions Answered 

Q. Why does Delegal Creek Marina fly the American Flag in this position?  

A. Because Delegal Creek Marina has a Gaff rigged flagpole. 

Chapman's Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling (probably the most widely recognized authority on recreational boating) also depicts a U.S. ensign correctly flying from a gaff-rigged pole. Chapman’s states, “The flagpole or mast of a yacht club is considered to represent the mast of a vessel, and the peak of the gaff, if one is used, is the place of honor from which the U.S. ensign is flown, just as if would be on a gaff rigged boat." 

What is the proper way to fly flags on a gaff-rigged pole? This is probably the most frequently asked question received by the United States Power Squadron Flag & Etiquette Committee. Many people are confused about the proper way to fly the national ensign from a gaff-rigged pole. As depicted in the drawings, the national ensign should be flown from the gaff and the club or organization burgee should be flown at the masthead. 

The gaff-rigged pole had its origins at sea. Because of all the sail carried by the rigging of these vessels, the flag of a nation could not be clearly viewed if it were placed at the top of the mast. The stern of the vessel was the position of command and the captain's quarters were located aft. Early boats also had the nobleman’s banner, king’s banner, or English ensign staff fixed to the stern rail. As sails changed, long booms sweep across the stern rail every time the ship tacked, so the ensign staff had to be removed when the ship was under way. Since the captain and other officers were still aft, the nearest position from which they found it practical to fly the ensign was the gaff. Over time, this became the place of honor to display the national flag. When the ship was moored, the ensign staff was set up again on the stern rail. 

This was the practice in the 18th century, when the U.S. Navy was created. Now that warships are made of steel and the signal mast no longer carries a boom, our Navy still flies the ensign at the gaff peak when underway and at the ensign staff when not underway. There is no law specifying how a flag should fly on a gaff-rigged pole, instead it is based on long standing nautical tradition. 

The usual argument given by those that think it is wrong to fly the national ensign from the gaff is that the national ensign is flying below a club burgee or other flag contrary to the Flag Code. Notice that even when the national ensign is flown from the stern of a ship, it is lower in height than other flags flying on the ship. When the ensign is flown from a gaff-rigged pole, a flag flown at the top of the mast is not considered above the ensign because it is not being flown directly above the ensign on the same halyard. 

The ensign should be flown from the highest point of honor, and over time, that has become the peak of the gaff. Flying the national ensign from the top of the mast while flying another flag at the gaff would be flying another flag in a position of superior honor since the peak of the gaff is the highest point of honor. 

There are several sources that document the proper use of a gaff-rigged pole. The first source is the United States Power Squadron Booklet How to Fly Flags, Nautical Flag Display. This booklet was written in consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and other yachting authorities. Section 2, Displaying Flags Ashore, states the following: 

“The gaff of a yacht-club-type flagpole is the highest point of honor, as is the gaff of the gaff-rigged vessel it simulates. The U.S. ensign alone is flown there. Although another flag may appear higher (at the truck of the mast), no flag is ever flown above the national ensign on the same halyard (except the worship pennant on naval ships).” 

 The publication goes on to say that the United States national ensign should be displayed as follows 

1. at the gaff of a mast or pole having a gaff 
2. at the masthead of a mast with no gaff 
3. at its own far right—the viewer's left—among multiple poles of equal height 
4. at the masthead of the highest pole if one of the poles is taller than the others.