Logistics needed for a flagstaff

• 2 x 3.0 m spars

• 3 x pegs (plus an additional peg to peg in the last peg)

• 1 x long nylon rope (flag line)

• 1 x pulley (optional)

• 1 x 1.0 m twine (man harness)

• 2 x 3.0 m 0.5 inch Manila hemp (round lashings)

• 3 x 5.5 m 0.5 inch Manila hemp (guy lines)

Manpower allocation

Minimum number of people need to pitch a flagstaff: 4

• 1 person - hold the base of the flagstaff

• 3 people - one to manage each of the 3 guy lines

Recommended procedure

1. Using the 3.0 m 0.5 inch Manila hemp, tie 2 round lashings around the 3-metre spars.

• The thicker pole will be the bottom of the flagstaff. The length of the overlapping portion should be around 1/3 of the whole flagstaff ( ½ of each pole if 2 poles are about the same length.)

• The clove hitch must be of Downward force, tangential to the pegs at the “12 o’clock”, “4 o’clock” and the “8 o’clock”.

• Ensure the Clove Hitches are a palm length away from the end of the spar.

2. Form the guy lines by using clove hitches to secure the 3 pieces of Manila hemp to the middle of the flagstaff, between the 2 round lashings.

• The clove hitches should be adjusted such that the standing ends are about 120 degrees to one another, leaving no gaps between each hitch.

• Clove hitches should be positioned such that when pressure is applied, the standing ends will be at the “12 o’clock”, “4 o’clock” and the “8 o’clock”.

3. Using the 1 metre twine, tie a manharness knot or a whipping (M-whipping or S-whipping) at the top of the flag staff to create a pulley system. (Videos can be found below)

4. Run the long nylon rope through the whipping/ manharness knot at the top of the flagstaff

5. Hammer in the 3 pegs into position.

• Peg at an angle of 120 degrees to one another, with respect to the base of the flagstaff, forming an equilateral triangle. (Notes: The pegs should be preferably at 45 degrees to the ground.

• Distance of the pegs from the base of the flagstaff should be equal to the distance of the middle clove hitch to the base of the flagstaff.

6. Check that the flag line/halyard is smooth before running it through the pulley or loop.

7. Raise the flag staff with one person holding it.

• During flag raising, the other members are to stand in "attention"

Flagstaff Layout