B
blackbess2
Guest
just WHO can fly a blue ensign on there boat ?????????
ThereAndBack
New member
To be pedantic: an ensign is 'worn' not 'flown'.
In answer to your question:
The Blue Ensign undefaced is worn masters of vessels in possession of a warrant issued by the Director of Naval Reserves, and by the members of certain yacht clubs. Such warrants are issued to officers in the active or retired lists of the Royal Naval Reserve and the maritime reserve forces of other Commonwealth Realms and territories. The master must be of the rank of Lieutenant RN or above, and fishing vessels must be crewed by at least four other Royal Naval reservists or pensioners.
In answer to your question:
The Blue Ensign undefaced is worn masters of vessels in possession of a warrant issued by the Director of Naval Reserves, and by the members of certain yacht clubs. Such warrants are issued to officers in the active or retired lists of the Royal Naval Reserve and the maritime reserve forces of other Commonwealth Realms and territories. The master must be of the rank of Lieutenant RN or above, and fishing vessels must be crewed by at least four other Royal Naval reservists or pensioners.
bobmay
New member
For more info check <a href="here http://www.fotw.net/flags/gb-enshs.html" target="_blank">herehttp://www.fotw.net/flags/gb-enshs.html</a>
johnb2
New member
The short answer is that a vessel wearing a blue ensign will have some sort of "Royal" connection. This includes Government "agencies" which will usually have an emblem in the fly (be "defaced") and sailing clubs called "Royal".
Round here, members of the Royal Dorset Yacht Club wear a simple blue ensign. It's rumoured that some people join them for the "Blue" rather than be seen with the common-or-garden "Red" which us 'erberts at Weymouth Sailing Club put up!
JB
P.S. Don't forget that the Royal Navy and the Royal Yacht Squadron wear a "White".
Round here, members of the Royal Dorset Yacht Club wear a simple blue ensign. It's rumoured that some people join them for the "Blue" rather than be seen with the common-or-garden "Red" which us 'erberts at Weymouth Sailing Club put up!
JB
P.S. Don't forget that the Royal Navy and the Royal Yacht Squadron wear a "White".
cliffordpope
New member
On a school trip to France in 1962 we were looking round the harbour and a friend pointed out a yacht with a blue ensign. I explained, rather too loudly, that it was the posh equivalent of a red. The owner heard me, and went absolutely livid with anger.
It was an early lesson in the truth that if someone gets abnormally angry about something one has said, it is a sure sign of having hit the nail bang on the head.
It was an early lesson in the truth that if someone gets abnormally angry about something one has said, it is a sure sign of having hit the nail bang on the head.
charles_reed
Active member
WOT ABOUT
members of the RNSA - about the only yotties entitled to wear it.
members of the RNSA - about the only yotties entitled to wear it.
caol
New member
[ QUOTE ]
The short answer is that a vessel wearing a blue ensign will have some sort of "Royal" connection. This includes Government "agencies" which will usually have an emblem in the fly (be "defaced") and sailing clubs called "Royal".
[/ QUOTE ]
Not entirely accurate. The privilege of issuing warrants to wear a blue ensign was given to certain yacht clubs in recognition of the service the members of these clubs gave, often as members of the reserve coastal forces, in the two world wars, or, in some cases (such as the Cruising Association) more generally for the promotion of seamanship and nautical expertise. Naturally, this means that the clubs involved tend to be the old established ones, but they are by no means all "Royal" yacht clubs. I suspect there are also "Royal" clubs that do not issue warrants for a blue ensign, although I haven't checked this.
The Royal Naval Sailing Association and the RNVR Yacht Club are amongst those that can issue warrants to wear an undefaced blue ensign.
There is a lot of rather pathetic inverted snobbery associated with the blue ensign. If anyone wants one they can easily get one, simply by joining the CA, the Little Ship Club or some such organisation.
Lest I be accused of vested interests, I am entitled, by reason of my membership of the CA, to apply for a warrant to wear a blue ensign, but I choose to use the red.
The short answer is that a vessel wearing a blue ensign will have some sort of "Royal" connection. This includes Government "agencies" which will usually have an emblem in the fly (be "defaced") and sailing clubs called "Royal".
[/ QUOTE ]
Not entirely accurate. The privilege of issuing warrants to wear a blue ensign was given to certain yacht clubs in recognition of the service the members of these clubs gave, often as members of the reserve coastal forces, in the two world wars, or, in some cases (such as the Cruising Association) more generally for the promotion of seamanship and nautical expertise. Naturally, this means that the clubs involved tend to be the old established ones, but they are by no means all "Royal" yacht clubs. I suspect there are also "Royal" clubs that do not issue warrants for a blue ensign, although I haven't checked this.
The Royal Naval Sailing Association and the RNVR Yacht Club are amongst those that can issue warrants to wear an undefaced blue ensign.
There is a lot of rather pathetic inverted snobbery associated with the blue ensign. If anyone wants one they can easily get one, simply by joining the CA, the Little Ship Club or some such organisation.
Lest I be accused of vested interests, I am entitled, by reason of my membership of the CA, to apply for a warrant to wear a blue ensign, but I choose to use the red.
WowdyWebel
New member
Am I not right in thinking (and perhaps this is what you said) that just because you are a member of a "Royal" club doesn't necessarilly entitle you to wear an undefaced ensign. Some clubs have that entitlement but some don't I thought. Those that don't have a defaced one??
Need to get this right or my ex naval father will likely heave me over the side.
Need to get this right or my ex naval father will likely heave me over the side.
albineer
New member
There doesn't appear to be any rule. Some "royal" clubs yachts wear a defaced blue ensign, the Royal Cornwall is one such and some have the right to wear a defaced red ensign but there aren't so many of those.
johnb2
New member
The critical thing is the possession of a warrant.
If a club holds a warrant from the Crown then members can fly the blue ensign - I don't think they have to make a personal application other than to the flag officers of the club. (I might be wrong.)
A defaced ensign is a step further up the hierarchy with a special warrant which allows not just a blue one but an ensign with the club emblem in the fly. Organisations such as HM Coastguard also have a defaced ensign.
You'll also see defaced red ensigns, for example Trinity House. (My rusty memory tells me that the Army wear red as well.)
If your father is ex-navy don't forget the exclusivity of the white ensign - RN and RYS only.
Just to add to the fun RAF vessels wear a light blue ensign - including RAFSA yachts.
Any British vessel is entitled to wear the Red Ensign.
JB
If a club holds a warrant from the Crown then members can fly the blue ensign - I don't think they have to make a personal application other than to the flag officers of the club. (I might be wrong.)
A defaced ensign is a step further up the hierarchy with a special warrant which allows not just a blue one but an ensign with the club emblem in the fly. Organisations such as HM Coastguard also have a defaced ensign.
You'll also see defaced red ensigns, for example Trinity House. (My rusty memory tells me that the Army wear red as well.)
If your father is ex-navy don't forget the exclusivity of the white ensign - RN and RYS only.
Just to add to the fun RAF vessels wear a light blue ensign - including RAFSA yachts.
Any British vessel is entitled to wear the Red Ensign.
JB
Poignard
Well-known member
To qualify for a warrant from the RNSA your vessel also has to have a Part 1 Registration.
paddywackcocker
Member
just an add on to post, whats the penalty for flying a blue with out the said permision.
tillergirl
Well-known member
£1000 fine
albineer
New member
[ QUOTE ]
The critical thing is the possession of a warrant.
If a club holds a warrant from the Crown then members can fly the blue ensign - I don't think they have to make a personal application other than to the flag officers of the club. (I might be wrong.)
[/ QUOTE ]
You have to make a personal aplication to the club to fly the ensign and it's personal to the permit holder. The ensign should only be flown when the permit holder is on board or in effective control.
The critical thing is the possession of a warrant.
If a club holds a warrant from the Crown then members can fly the blue ensign - I don't think they have to make a personal application other than to the flag officers of the club. (I might be wrong.)
[/ QUOTE ]
You have to make a personal aplication to the club to fly the ensign and it's personal to the permit holder. The ensign should only be flown when the permit holder is on board or in effective control.
caol
New member
[ QUOTE ]
Am I not right in thinking (and perhaps this is what you said) that just because you are a member of a "Royal" club doesn't necessarilly entitle you to wear an undefaced ensign. Some clubs have that entitlement but some don't I thought. Those that don't have a defaced one??
Need to get this right or my ex naval father will likely heave me over the side.
[/ QUOTE ]
It has nothing to do with being a "royal" club and everything to do with being an organisation that has been granted the privilege of issuing warrants for a blue ensign. This may be defaced or (less commonly) undefaced. Both require a personal warrant. Membership of a club - any club - cannot, by itself, entitle you to wear a blue ensign, defaced or undefaced.
The blue ensign is for the person, not the boat. It doesn't matter what club you belong to. If you don't have a warrant, you shouldn't be wearing the ensign.
Academic in some ways. In home waters you are not required to wear any ensign and in foreign waters you must do so, but should really wear the red, since this is the standard national ensign.
Am I not right in thinking (and perhaps this is what you said) that just because you are a member of a "Royal" club doesn't necessarilly entitle you to wear an undefaced ensign. Some clubs have that entitlement but some don't I thought. Those that don't have a defaced one??
Need to get this right or my ex naval father will likely heave me over the side.
[/ QUOTE ]
It has nothing to do with being a "royal" club and everything to do with being an organisation that has been granted the privilege of issuing warrants for a blue ensign. This may be defaced or (less commonly) undefaced. Both require a personal warrant. Membership of a club - any club - cannot, by itself, entitle you to wear a blue ensign, defaced or undefaced.
The blue ensign is for the person, not the boat. It doesn't matter what club you belong to. If you don't have a warrant, you shouldn't be wearing the ensign.
Academic in some ways. In home waters you are not required to wear any ensign and in foreign waters you must do so, but should really wear the red, since this is the standard national ensign.
H4B
New member
Re RNSA
I've just checked the regs and SSR Certificate qualifies the wearing of the Blue .
I've just checked the regs and SSR Certificate qualifies the wearing of the Blue .
Rabbie
New member
Wearing a 'Blue' is just an ego trip. Whats wrong with red ? /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Topcat47
Well-known member
Them as can does......
Them as can't ........
If you're entitled to the blue (or white) then use it or lose it....it's a privilege, not a right!
Them as can't ........
If you're entitled to the blue (or white) then use it or lose it....it's a privilege, not a right!
bumblefish
Active member
Sussex Yacht Club were given warrant to wear a defaced blue in 1955.
No Royal prefix there.
No Royal prefix there.
oldgaffer1
New member
I fly the undefaced blue, having a permit from my club (RNVR YC).
We've just got back from a cruise to the Isles of Scilly and was boring SWMBO silly by wittering on about the number of yachts that we saw along the way flying the undefaced blue ensign without the required accompanying burgee of the club that issued the permit.
I was left with three questions:
1) Does anyone in authority ever check for permits (I've not been asked in port or in a chandlery when buying an ensign at any time in the last thirty odd years.)
2) Has anyone in recent years been fined for infringing the regulations (I believe it is a criminal offence?)
3) Are there a lot of people out there who are unaware of the rules and regulations and buy a blue ensign beacause they like the colour?
(BTW: I'm not a retired admiral, rich git, snob or on an ego trip - just proud of my club's roots.)
We've just got back from a cruise to the Isles of Scilly and was boring SWMBO silly by wittering on about the number of yachts that we saw along the way flying the undefaced blue ensign without the required accompanying burgee of the club that issued the permit.
I was left with three questions:
1) Does anyone in authority ever check for permits (I've not been asked in port or in a chandlery when buying an ensign at any time in the last thirty odd years.)
2) Has anyone in recent years been fined for infringing the regulations (I believe it is a criminal offence?)
3) Are there a lot of people out there who are unaware of the rules and regulations and buy a blue ensign beacause they like the colour?
(BTW: I'm not a retired admiral, rich git, snob or on an ego trip - just proud of my club's roots.)
