Hi Eric,
I also saw "etiquette" in the title, which makes me (and others) think there was more to the question, but that's another story.
Anyway, we're basically on the same page, but you have to let the RC thing go, because you're still reading WAY more into this than what I'm actually saying.
The only reason I mentioned the RC was because, in my opinion, unless a sailor is as sure as the RC example I gave that a mark was hit, he shouldn't waste his time with the flag or hearing. I'm not comparing a sailor's obligations to initiate a hearing to that of the RC, just giving the example of what constitutes really knowing that the mark was hit.
If a sailor is sure the mark was hit, he needs to hail protest (immediately), or it never happened.
Mike