Blue ensign?

[chrisc]

Re: Don\'t worry about it!

not so the boat in international waters takes the flag of the owner
regardless of where the boat is registered/kept hence all these
liberian and gibraltar companies

 

[billmacfarlane]

Don't worry Steffen. You'll be assured of a warm welcome. Fly a red ensign courtesy flag from your starboard spreader and you won't go far wrong. Don't be alarmed by the fierce discussion re ensigns. Deep , deep down in the British psyche is a liking for the traditional class system and I suspect a liking for snobbery in it's various forms. It manifests itself in sailing with discussions like this one. You'll also see it in discussions about things like " Royal" yacht clubs. Just accept it and sit back and marvel.

 

[Guest]

Everybody gets upset when they spot me! Dont know why!

 

[charles_reed]

No RNSA is cheaper nm

nm

 

[zefender]

Whilst I may agree with the spirit of Allanc's call for more pleasantness amongst boating folk of any hue, he does so by implying that those who are not members of a 'blue club' might be displaying envy that they are not members of such.

I meet lots of lovely people when I go sailing and I am sure that the type of flag they carry doesn't automatically mark them as a stereotype. Unfortunately, though, I can't help feeling that sailing, and sailing clubs in particular, look back to some golden age, as if all of this were relevant today. Sure, some sailing traditions are worth hanging on to. But the obsession with exclusivity, and yes class, does it no favours. The title of Commodore for example held by a chap (it usually is) responsible for a bar, sales of club clothing and a few races round the cans, is plainly anachronistic. Even YBW risks similar treatment by having a line for forum members to list their 'occupation'. Why is this relevant? Is it more relevant than a line for 'sailing experience' or 'areas sailed'? I have no interest whatsoever in what someone does for a living when I’m sailing and I might want to positively avoid the so-called ‘professionals’ I meet daily at work anyway.

If people want to play tin soldiers or live their life in a time warp at a traditional club, then I have no problem with that. Sadly, however, giving them the right to fly a different country flag because of some vague, historic ‘royal’ connection does send a (false) signal of superiority. It is a label. Just like a job title. Just like there is a fine line between traditional yachting terms and jargon (which is designed to exclude people, not include them). Be brave ‘blueys’ – enjoy yourselves but get rid of your labels (those ensigns) and show how modern and socially inclusive you are!

 

[Guest]

Re: Don\'t worry about it!

Not so old bean ....... The flag is dictated by Port of Registry not owner ....

Most owners of Liberain / Panamanian / Cyprus vessels are either British or Greek ...... so please enlighten me how they fly the Liberia / Panama / Cyprus flag if what you say is true ???????

Finally the Ensign is flyable by any boat that is home to british waters, as the real rules are not enforced ...... as long as it is not regsitered anywhere else !


To close this message ....... Blue Ensigns are normally my 'bag' to post about, I normally resurrect it every 1/4 !!!! just to get you lot going !

 

[AndrewB]

Did you miss your cue, Nigel?

Never mind, if you want to join in the bun-fight, I'll e-mail you a virtual custard pie. Just put your face close to the screen with a silly grin ....

(You are of course, quite right about the protocol).

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Don\'t worry about it!

Nigel, Are you sure about that? Can somebody give a definative answer? I thought it was the owner aswell. But of course panamanian and bermudan and greek etc. have different rules than us dont they!

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by ccscott49 on Fri Oct 26 23:10:59 2001 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[johnt]

Re: If you gentlemen really feel that way ...

Didnt I read somewhere a while ago that the "Daisy Chain" is now ' is permisso"!

 

[johnt]

You dont even get asked if you fly something really outlandish like a cross of St George alone on a red ensign!

I know, I speak from experience!

 

[Guest]

Re: Don\'t worry about it!

In 17 years on various flag vessels ..... I think I can speak with confidence on that one !

Honestly it is the Home port / state that dictates the flag NOT the Owner. Many ships nowadays have transferred flag from traditional Greek / UK / etc. flags by re-registering the vessel in Cyprus / Malta etc. and the flag changes automatically, but the owner is still the same .... he may have to open a 'token' office / address in the Flag state to satisfy the law, but thats all.

 

[Mirelle]

I have a CA one; Lorna twisted my arm into buying it (and its warrant!) a few years ago in Limehouse dock. I think its quite a pretty colour, but I admit to flying it mainly to annoy people who get over-excited about these things. Yes, I do fly it in foreign parts; anyone who has to do with boats in Europe will know what it is, it isno odder than the red one to nations who use their nationalf lag as an ensign. In the more fashionable parts of the Med, the red ensign is the usual flag of convenience for yachts so flying a blue one shows that you are actually British....Finnish yacht clubs have very elaborate defaced ensigns, incidentally, as do many American ones.

No, I do not wear a yachting cap.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Do you need a Royal Warrant for your beard? NT

*

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Nothing interesting to me on the forum this rainy day so I thought a little mischief was appropriate.

In keeping with the latest trend of finding a really old thread and commenting on it I thought it would be good to make it one about flags, thus committing two sins in one.

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Ex servicemen can fly a non defaced bluey and realistically there is no great kudos in flying anythig at all that needs to be defaced before consumption by the eyes of the beholder. Nothing at all wrong with the red duster shame we cant fly a white one though ( RN get a bit sniffy at such things )...

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Ex servicemen can fly a non defaced bluey and realistically there is no great kudos in flying anythig at all that needs to be defaced before consumption by the eyes of the beholder. Nothing at all wrong with the red duster shame we cant fly a white one though ( RN get a bit sniffy at such things )...

I say let them sniff. THey do a fine job but tax-funded state employees should surely be banned from sniffing at those who fund them?

 

[Sgeir]

I'm entitled (through the CA), but I wouldn't be seen dead in one

Check, although, at the moment, I'm not really bothered about being seen dead in one.

 

[Athene V30]

Ex servicemen can fly a non defaced bluey and realistically there is no great kudos in flying anythig at all that needs to be defaced before consumption by the eyes of the beholder. Nothing at all wrong with the red duster shame we cant fly a white one though ( RN get a bit sniffy at such things )...

Total misconception. Ex service men cannot fly an undefaced blue without joining an appropriate club. However if ex RN you can join RNSA and apply for a warrant. If it was that easy I would save the annual subs!

BTW when I dress overall with masthead ensign I change from Blue to Red as I have two reds but only 1 blue!

 

[awol]

Check, although, at the moment, I'm not really bothered about being seen dead in one.

Hadn't thought of having my coffin draped in a blue - what a good idea .... and it will be reusable for the next club member who snuffs it. Must suggest buying a 2.5 yarder to the committee.

 

[Athene V30]

Hadn't thought of having my coffin draped in a blue - what a good idea.

RNSA Central Office keeps a large blue for just that event. With an ever ageing membership it seems to get quite a lot of use too.