When an occasion presents itself, for a party, a birthday, or simply to make the beautiful you can decorate your boat by sending the whole series of flags. This is called flagging..
The big bulwark is not limited to a floating boat show that takes place in the autumn in La Rochelle, it is above all a way of hoisting all the flags from the shore to signify a celebration.
The big bulwark doesn't go up in just any direction. It is customary to respect an order.
From the bow to the masthead:
E, Q, 3, G, 8, Z, 4, W, 6, P, 1, I, Apercu, T, Y, B, X, 1st substitute, H, 3rd substitute
From the masthead to the transom :
D, F, 2nd substitute, U, A, O, M, R, 2, J, 0, N, 9, K, 7, V, 5, L, C, S
For reasons of protocol, the big bulwark can only be hoisted during the day (never at night). It is customary to say that the big bulwark is carried from 8am to 8pm in the evening (or until sunset).
