Ceremonial

Question 1

Occasions ceremonial not required?

Answer 1

Cold Move: CODE DELTA - only ships to be piped by a ship cold moving are to be those flying a distinguishing flag or broad pennant or vice versa

Out of routine: PORT (and only flying AWE) - only ships to be piped by a ship cold moving are to be those flying a distinguishing flag or broad pennant

A ship entering/departing at Force Protection Charlie

Question 2

What three procedures can a ship leave or enter harbour under?

Answer 2

Alpha
Bravo
Charlie

Question 3

Piping the side occurs when?

Answer 3

CO arriving or departing at a pre-arranged time on official business
President or member of a court martial
Officer of the Guard when flying a pennant
Foreign Naval Officers in Uniform
Foreign and Military Officers CDRE and above
ARA and RAAF Officers CDRE and above

Question 4

Night ensign is to be hoisted only when?

Answer 4

• Between 5 mins after sunset and 10 mins before colours
• When a HMA Ship or Foreign ship is underway all ships in her vicinity not underway
• If there is sufficient light
• Hauled down once the underway ship has secured first line or is out of sight

Question 5

Boat ensigns are to be displayed when?

Answer 5

Flown at the stern of the RHIBs on the following occasions:
- In Commonwealth waters
- When going alongside a foreign warship
- Between colours and sunset
- When HMA Ships are dressed
- When distinguishing flag is flying in the bows of the boat
In foreign waters
- When away from the ship between sunrise and sunset
- All occasions of going alongside a foreign warship
- At half mast
- When a body is being conveyed in a boat
- When ship’s ensigns are at half mast

Question 6

Red Disk

Answer 6

• Flag Officers/CDREs who are entitled to fly broad pennant
• Formal occasion, on duty but full ceremonial not required
• Still to be sounded when boat within 1 cable, hands on upper deck come to attention and 1MC announces ‘Face to port/stbd, (personage to be saluted), OOD salutes, carry on piped when boat clear

(Top of traffic light, everyone stops)

Question 7

Blue Disk

Answer 7

• Flag Officers and CDREs not entitled to fly broad pennant
• Formal occasion, proceeding on duty
• Still to be sounded when boat within 1 cable, OOD salutes, carry on piped when boat clear

(Middle of traffic light, people slow down)

Question 8

White Disk with crosses

Answer 8

• Flag Officers and CDREs
• Informal occasion, courtesy only accorded
• Salute by OOD when boat abeam

(White light green on traffic light, only OOD stops)

Question 9

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - Standard!

Answer 9

Royal person or head of state

Question 10

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - FLAG + NAME

Answer 10

Officer of Star rank entitled to fly a flag

Question 11

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - SHIP NAME

Answer 11

Commanding Officer of Ship or Shore establishment

Question 12

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - AYE AYE

Answer 12

Other officers

Question 13

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - GUARD BOAT

Answer 13

Officers of the Guard

Question 14

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - No No

Answer 14

All persons and other boats going alongside

Question 15

Boat Hails - BOAT A’HOY - PASSING

Answer 15

Not embarking the ship

Question 16

What does Procedure Alpha entail?

Answer 16

• W1/W2 or S1/S2 on major ceremonial occasions
• W3/S8 for other occasions such as entering a foreign port
• Full ceremonial entry and departure for foreign and Australian Ports
• Presence of all spare hands on deck is the traditional gesture to signify that the intention of the ship is peaceful
• All non special sea duty personnel are required
• If carried, a bugler or full ceremonial piping party is required

Question 17

What does Procedure Bravo entail?

Answer 17

• Entering or leaving harbour when full ceremonial procedures are not required, but a reduced degree of ceremony is deemed appropriate
• Appearance of ship IAW Procedure Alpha but guards and bands are not required and CIWS may remain uncovered. Embarked aircraft are not required to be ranged
• Parts of ship/line handlers/fender party are the only personnel required
• Hands are fallen in, in four groups, one group each side of the Foc’sle and one each side of the quarterdeck

Question 18

What does Procedure Charlie entail?

Answer 18

• Operational entry/departure
• Hands required are those needed for working the upper deck, cable party and boats crews
• Remainder under cover or at their action/defence watch station
• Dress is DPNU with anti-flash to be worn, this may be relaxed at CO discretion
• Personnel on the upper deck are to wear Kevlar Helmets