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It was first used as a badge of rank for the Lord High Admiral of England in 1485.
Pipe Aboard/Ashore: Flag-rank officers or an important guest is boarding or departing a Navy ship; also used to mark the final departure of a sailor retiring from active duty. This is part of a ceremony called “manning the side” which includes a party of sailors known as “side boys”. It has its origins in the need to hoist visiting senior officers aboard using a bosun’s chair when the weather was too rough for the use of ladders. The bosun would use his call to direct the side boys in the hoisting of the chair.[
Funerals: When the body of a person entitled to honours in their lifetime is taken aboard a Navy ship, the same ceremony is observed.
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