Fwiw, keeping a protest flag on deck might be considered poor seamanship. It
could foul a line, get torn, or be lost overboard. Stuffing it in a vent slows
airflow below - is this acting in a "seamanlike" manner? A flag on deck would
certainly get more wear & tear. Does this same judge consider a torn or worn
flag to be improper as well? (If it's ripped, its doesn't fit the description
of code flag B, does it?) Would having it in the helmsman's pocket take too
long to get as well? What about the mastman's pocket? Only if he's stationed
at the starboard shrouds? Doesnt' seem seamanlike to station a man at the
starboard shrouds when you're on port tack, but, hey, let's be ready to fly
that flag! (Though the rules no longer require flying it from a particular
side, tradition calls for flying it from the starboard.) In my rulebook, it
calls for a protest flag to be conspicuously displayed "at the first reasonable
opportunity..." It does not appear that the international judge is being
reasonable. Perhaps something was lost in the translation.