6.01 - The U.S. Ensign and the Maryland flag are normally flown from sunrise to sunset. However, at most yacht clubs "colors are made" at 0800. This timing is proper when in the company of other boats simultaneously making colors. The U.S. Ensign is flown first and lowered last.
6.02 - If the Maryland flag is flown on sailing vessels:
- Sloops, cutters, and schooners
- While underway - sailing vessels with one mast should fly the U.S. Ensign at the stern staff, or two-thirds of the way up the leech of the mainsail (or at the top of the leech, if gaff-rigged). The Maryland flag should fly at the starboard spreader, or on the forward mast of a schooner.
- While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag from the starboard spreader
- Yawls and ketches
- While underway - The U.S. Ensign should fly at the stern staff or at a position two-thirds up the leech of the mizzen sail (or at the peak of the leech of the mizzen sail, if gaff-rigged). The Maryland flag should fly at the starboard spreader ("at the starboard spreader" means the spreader on the most forward mast if more than one and from the most outboard hoist of that spreader).
- While at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag from the starboard spreader.
6.03 - If the Maryland flag is flown on motorboats:
- While underway and at anchor - The U.S. Ensign should fly from the stern staff and the Maryland flag may be flown from the forestaff in lieu of a yacht club burgee.
- Motorboats with auxiliary masts should follow the rules for sailboats.
6.04 - The length of the U.S. Ensign should be approximately one inch for each foot of the length of the vessel.
***Use of the U.S. Ensign and Maryland Flag on Recreational Boats***
Note: This section does not cover the use of yacht club burgees, owner's private signals, U.S. Power Squadron flags, U.S.C.G. Auxiliary flags, foreign flags, or social and courtesy flags. Rules for these are well established and may be found in existing literature. The U.S. Ensign with a canton of 50 stars (as the U.S. flag is called while in nautical use) and the U.S. Yacht Ensign, with a canton of 13 stars, are interchangeable on all types of recreational vessels while in national waters. Because the preferred location for the U.S. Power Squadron flag is also the starboard spreader, it may be flown beneath the Maryland flag.
