Can a yacht club pennant or burgee be flown above the U.S. ensign?

You don't mention exactly how the pole is configured. In maritime practice, the configuration does makes a world of difference. If you read Navy regulation NTP 13 (B) even the time of day makes a world of difference if you are on a ship!

But even when not on a ship, the US Navy has detailed regulations that require the practice of flying the US flag lower than other flags. It sounds like the yacht club is following that practice. You provide no details so it is difficult to say. To us landlubbers it always seems incorrect at first glance when any flag is flown higher than the American flag. After all, we all "know" that no flag ever flies above the US flag. When it is done, the concept is not that another flag is being put in the position of honor above the US flag. On the contrary. The United States Navy regulation is that the American flag belongs in fact on the "gaff", not on the higher position way up on the main mast. That is, unless there is a "crosstree." involved. In that case, if displayed with a foreign flag, the US flag goes even lower! I am not privy to the history behind the regulation. The gaff seems to be the position of honor. But it is lower than the top of the main mast. Perhaps the concept is that, as a sailing ship of yore moved forward, the gaff leads the way. It is out in front. (WRONG) The gaff is the pole that is attached to a taller pole. It sticks out from the taller pole at a 45 degree angle below the top of the taller pole where another flag may be flying.

I do wonder why my country's navy places a foreign flag on the gaff and places Old Glory on the lower crosstree. Maybe the concept is chivalry? After all, if we were entertaining a foreign guest, wouldn't we extend him or her every courtesy? I don't know about you, but if I were representing my country and hosting a foreign guest, I'd give him the best seat in the house. Maybe that is how the world's sailors see it. Anyway, I am only guessing as to the reason. The fact is simply a matter of my country's navy's regulations.

But the yacht club should easily be able to set any veteran's mind at ease by simply showing the appropriate naval regulation. I do not know on what regulation the club bases its decision but it may be this one: Navy regulation NTP 13 (B) is the Navy's flag code. It tells everyone in The Navy all the rules and regulations regarding flying flags. Here is what it says in part. Bold type emphasis has been added by me . NTP 13(B) CHAPTER 8 DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL ENSIGN AT U.S. NAVAL SHORE ACTIVITIES 801. GENERAL "(4) Polemast with Crosstree and Gaff - This is commonly called a "yacht club mast". Displayed from the gaff. When displayed with foreign national ensign(s), display U.S. national ensign from outermost halyard on right hand crosstree."

So you see, depending on the pole configuration, the US flag might not even be on the gaff. Since we are on the subject of maritime exceptions to commonly held beliefs we all "know" about the US flag, here is another one: We all know that the US flag is never dipped to another flag, right? Wrong. The regulations of my country's navy do allow my flag to be dipped to a foreign flag if the other flag is dipped first!

Everything I have told you above is based on US Navy regulations. The US Flag code ,which is a guide, not a law, for civilians is by far not as detailed as naval regulations. It is in fact silent on the entire matter of pole configurations and maritime use with the exception of naval church pennants.

"Please notice in the attached pix of US Coast Guard vessels that, the one that is on display in the National Maritime Museum in Oregon has the USCG flag flying above the United States Flag. And in the picture of the US Coast Guard vessel that is underway, the United States Flag is flying above the USCG flag. Can you please explain this to me. I am building a model of this particular type of Coast Guard vessel and I want to get it right." B.G. Golden Valley, Arizona

This is a very cool example. Also, notice they are the same boat

Here is my answer:

I believe that the boat in the museum is correct because of the reasons stated above.

The Gaff is the position of honor and that is where the US flag is displayed in this exhibit.

Anyone with further documentation on the answer to this interesting question is invited to send in a response for posting.

Also, I read some very valuable advice on the Canadian government protocol page. It said that as regards protocol, the most valuable concept is adaptation. Better to change the flag protocol than interrupt whatever that equipment is doing.

Rules of etiquette and protocol are guidelines. They do not spell out every last situation that can come up in life.