Saturday, November 22, 2008

Royal duty reminders

1. Silence Royal Yachtsmen should neither be seen nor heard near the Royal Apartments. As far as possible spoken orders are to be avoided throughout the Yacht. This is vital during Clean Ship Aft period each morning. Yachtsmen must be kept off the Royal Deck above the Cabins before 0815.
2. The following Rules apply when working aft on Royal Duty:
   1. If The Queen is onboard all day, the Royal Deck Cleaning Party is to turn to at 0800 and avoid the area above The Queen’s Cabin until 0815.
   2. If The Queen is disembarking during the forenoon, the Royal Deck is not to be cleaned until after she has gone.
   3. Dress Ship flags are to be laid out along the Port side of the Royal Deck.
   4. Any member of the Communication Department who has to go to the Mizzen Mast before 0845 for any reason (Flag Shift etc) is to go via the Port Weather Deck and up the Port steps from the Verandah Deck onto the Royal Deck.
   5. Any Seaman who is rigging the Sun Awning and has occasion to go on the Royal Deck is also to use this route.
   6. The Royal Deck is out of bounds to everyone else apart from those mentioned above.
3. Movement Abaft the Mainmast when wearing a Standard No Yachtsman should go abaft the Royal Barge, 2nd Motor Boat or square ports in the waist after 0900 unless on a specific duty (ie preparing for entering or leaving harbour). If it is essential to work abaft the Mainmast, permission must first be obtained from the Commander. The “Underground Route” should be used whenever possible to get to the Quarter Deck. Everyone who goes aft before 0900 for Clean Ship Aft or any other reason must constantly bear in mind the absolute necessity for quietness. This also applies to the after boats and the Boat Deck abaft the Funnel. Although there is plenty of fan noise in this area, thumps and bangs are distinctive and easily transmitted along the deck. It has not been generally appreciated that even walking across the Royal Deck in gym shoes makes quite perceptible noise in the Cabins below.
4. Caps Caps are to be worn at all times on the Upper Deck EXCEPT that they are to be removed when proceeding abaft the Mainmast for any reason (unless hands are fallen in or working wires etc for entering and leaving harbour).
5. Royal Servery The Royal Servery Flat becomes part of the Royal Apartments on Royal Duty and is never used as a gangway.
6. Marks of Respect If any of the Royal Family or Household passes a Royal Yachtsman at work he is to stand to attention momentarily and then carry on. If addressed by a Member of the Royal Family he should answer ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ as the case may be.
7. Scuttles Faces are never to appear in scuttles during ceremonial or when entering or leaving harbour. On these occasions all scuttles are to remain shut.
8. Smoking There is to be NO SMOKING on the Upper Deck during working hours.
9. Whistling Strict attention is to be paid to the naval custom NO WHISTLING anywhere onboard at all times.
10. Dress The strictest attention is to be paid to the Yacht’s rules for dress laid down in RYO 0219. Overalls are only to be worn by those specifically authorised and are to be buttoned up properly. Working Jackets are only to be worn when authorised by the First Lieutenant and then by all hands on the Upper Deck. Royal Yachtsmen are therefore to pay particular attention to the Working Jacket Boards outside the Main Galley, FX Cross Passage, After Flat and MCO Flat. The Dress of the Day is always to be worn on the Upper Deck.
11. Recreation Space Royal Yachtsmen are to note the Upper Deck Recreation Spaces on Royal Duty laid down in RYO 0410.
12. Cameras Yachtsmen are to ensure that the rules regarding the use of cameras on Royal Duty (RYO 0436) are not infringed. In particular you are reminded that no private photographs may be taken when Royalty are actually onboard, and cameras should not be carried about on deck.
13. Paint Attention is drawn to RYO 0424 concerning painting and the issue of paint during Royal Duty which requires the permission of a DHOD.
14. Behaviour Ashore
    1. The behaviour of Royal Yachtsmen ashore should be impeccable at all times. If a Member of The Royal Family passes in a car you stand to attention and salute and proper Marks of Respect are to be paid to serving officers of the Armed Forces.
    2. Remember to allow plenty of time to return onboard from leave. When Her Majesty The Queen is embarking or disembarking large crowds gather along the route and roads are frequently cordoned off.
15. Language Watch your language onboard. Remember that there are ladies in the Household who are likely to be within earshot when you least expect it. Watch your language ashore too.
16. Successful Royal Duty depends on team work and thinking ahead and making sure that everyone knows what is happening, so help each other and PASS THE BUZZ.