Mandarin331
Member
One does not wear an ensign, one's boat does
Agreed, as I said above "Meanwhile I am proud for my boat to wear the red ensign."
Blue ensign
- Thread starter Sailfree
- Start date
Agreed, as I said above "Meanwhile I am proud for my boat to wear the red ensign."
Sailfree
Well-known member
Interesting replies
I think I will stick with the red ensign - its more me!!
I think I will stick with the red ensign - its more me!!
AndrewfromFal
Active member
My dad (38 years' service and retired as Air Commodore) is very proud to sail under his RAF ensign and RAFSA burgee.
I am entirely happy with a 1-yard red ensign and the YBW tipsy mouse.
We both devoted especial scorn to the complete plonker in a large Halberg-Rassy who didn't have a clue about anchoring, last week, because he was conducting his high-speed ploughing operations under a large RYS white ensign.
Your choice
Pete
In my teenage years I crewed for an RYS member who was about posh as you could get without a hereditary title (Dad had been an Admiral and he'd been an Equerry to Phil for many years), and everywhere we went the boat flew a red ensign. The only time the white came out was in Cowes, but otherwise he felt it was best kept in the chart table on account of the attention / level of scrutiny tended to provoke.
prv
Well-known member
Very sensible
Though I'm sure your guy was capable of using an anchor, and we would have labelled our guy a plonker whatever flag he was flying. I might have been less surprised though as without the flag I'd have assumed he was a novice on a chartered boat. Presumably you have to have some ongoing interest in sailing to get to the point of owning a boat and joining the Squadron.
Pete
AndrewfromFal
Active member
Very sensible
Though I'm sure your guy was capable of using an anchor, and we would have labelled our guy a plonker whatever flag he was flying. I might have been less surprised though as without the flag I'd have assumed he was a novice on a chartered boat. Presumably you have to have some ongoing interest in sailing to get to the point of owning a boat and joining the Squadron.
Pete
I think that's the thing about wearing a Blue or White ensign...people will expect higher standards, so if you do have a miss-hap, it becomes a talking point rather than something more run of the mill. The guy I used to crew for's outlook was tempered with a healthy dose of 'there but for the Grace of God go I', so he was wary of attracting attention just in case that was the time he was visited by the f***up fairy.
mjcoon
Well-known member
bitbaltic
Well-known member
Lots of ways of serving the country in civil life though, especially in the 21st century. I can imagine that many military folk would wish the honour extended to the merchant seamen of the convoys, heroes of the RNLI, SAR personnel, yachting enthusiasts who have given long service to social causes and charities, and so on. However, I don't hear much of that. Strange that some folk interpret it as divisive. However, in the context of a community of people privileged in any case by boat ownership, I reckon it's small beer. Our 8 year old son is in charge of our red, and he almost always forgets to fly it. Never has ruined a sail yet.
chinita
Well-known member
The Blue is very handy if you want a quiet spell at anchor in a busy anchorage.
No fecker will come and talk to you as they think you are stuck up r-sole.
But I don't care.
No fecker will come and talk to you as they think you are stuck up r-sole.
But I don't care.
capnsensible
Well-known member
Poignard
Well-known member
If it annoys people the sort of people who care what colour ensign anyone else has instead of minding their own business, then that seems a good enough reason to get one.
chinita
Well-known member
Yah. It can be such fun to sit back and watch the poor people.
Sadly, I think I am probably one of the poorest people in possession of a Blue. I am seriously worrying about where I am going to find my £15.00 annual RAYC subscription from.
Thinking of entering Popsie in JRT racing. Anybody interested in buying a leg, or a head, or an ear?
RichardTaylor
Member
I could have sworn that I read somewhere that the blue ensign is not internationally recognised and as such may not be used outside of British waters and therefore (technically) has to be replaced with the red ensign when over 12 miles from shore?
Badger
Member
I log in for the first time in years and find a post about blue ensigns. The more things change the more they remain the same as the French would say.
Highland Bear
New member
I'm proud to fly/wear/hoist/dangle the defaced Blue of the RAFYC as an ex-RAF Aircrew officer whose first ever sailing trip was from the Hamble clubhouse on a RAFSA yacht in 1972. However, the thought that the Blue confers upon me or my vessel any special privileges or denotes any special ability or knowledge on my part is ludicrous.
I'm proud of my RAF service and of the membership of a friendly Club that I'm happy to help promote. Simple as that.
Prepare for incoming...
I'm proud of my RAF service and of the membership of a friendly Club that I'm happy to help promote. Simple as that.
Prepare for incoming...
obmij
Active member
I am amazed that pleasure vessels are permitted to fly the plain Red Ensign, given its history, but since we are I do so with immense pride.
BobnLesley
Well-known member
...No fecker will come and talk to you as they think you are stuck up r-sole...
A few years ago, whilst gale-bound, along with a very multi-national fleet of cruisin-yotties, in Nazare, Portugal; I was asked to explain why some British yachts had blue or white ensigns, unlike the majority which were red.
Having done my best to clarify, a very serious Danish girl responded: "So I have not before understood; I was until now thinking that there was an examination for sailors in England and those who were tested and found to be not friendly, had to have blue flags to warn the other peoples."
A few years ago, whilst gale-bound, along with a very multi-national fleet of cruisin-yotties, in Nazare, Portugal; I was asked to explain why some British yachts had blue or white ensigns, unlike the majority which were red.
Having done my best to clarify, a very serious Danish girl responded: "So I have not before understood; I was until now thinking that there was an examination for sailors in England and those who were tested and found to be not friendly, had to have blue flags to warn the other peoples."
Highland Bear
New member
Stuck up? Moi??!! I have 2 O levels and a budgerigar!
And if ever you see me afloat, come and say Hello and share a drink.
pugwash94
Member
Do keep up your membership - I am also RAYC and have spotted, and been spotted, by other RAYC all around our seas, leading to many memorable evenings in pubs, cafes and restaurants in many strange places.
Poignard
Well-known member
I wish that was true, it might deter those expatriate bores who latch onto you in foreign ports. The ones who drink all your booze and entertain you by telling you what's wrong with England and how clever they were to move abroad.
pugwash94
Member
You may have read it but it is incorrect!
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