Courtesy flag off Yarmouth?

[Blue Sunray]

We all know its not a courtesy flag, but is being flown as such, when there is no need when wearing a red ensign, albeit defaced.

I do find it slightly special that someone can get simultaneously indignant about the use of a Union Flag as a courteously flag and not know that some national flags are essentially defaced red ensigns.

And what is the appropriate action this commissioned officer will be duty bound to undertake

Go onboard for a drink - sounds a good move to me :encouragement:

Does this duty extend to retired officers who nonetheless still hold The Queen’s Commission

Not duty bound, but the law does say that they can confiscate the 'flag' if incorrectly flown on a UK vessel. Can't advise on where tired old neverwases stand though.

 

[alant]

I do find it slightly special that someone can get simultaneously indignant about the use of a Union Flag as a courteously flag and not know that some national flags are essentially defaced red ensigns.

,

Not duty bound, but the law does say that they can confiscate the 'flag' if incorrectly flown on a UK vessel. Can't advise on where tired old neverwases stand though.

The ship off Yarmouth was not wearing "some" national flag, it was wearing a defaced red ensign & I can get as indignant as I want, however "special" you feel.

 

[Tranona]

The ship off Yarmouth was not wearing "some" national flag, it was wearing a defaced red ensign & I can get as indignant as I want, however "special" you feel.

Where is your evidence that it was a defaced UK registry red ensign and not an ensign of another state registry?

 

[nortada]

And what is the appropriate action this commissioned officer will be duty bound to undertake

Go onboard for a drink - sounds a good move to me :encouragement:

Does this duty extend to retired officers who nonetheless still hold The Queen’s Commission

I do find it slightly special that someone can get simultaneously indignant about the use of a Union Flag as a courteously flag and not know that some national flags are essentially defaced red ensigns.

Not duty bound, but the law does say that they can confiscate the 'flag' if incorrectly flown on a UK vessel. Can't advise on where tired old neverwases stand though.

“Ahoy, I’ve come to confiscate your flag” Sounds like the start of a really good friendship

 

[Malabar]

So far as courtesy flags are concerned, plenty of people can't be bothered to "get it right", and others just don't care. Incidentally I see plenty of large commercial vessels around the Solent flying the Union flag as a courtesy flag rather than the Red Ensign. Warships should not fly courtesy flags but they do need diplomatic clearance. In some parts of the world the pilots carry a spare courtesy flag in their knapsack which they "lend" to some advantage. However, if cruising the Antilles, especially the Windward Islands, don't mess with the courtesy flag requirement. Fly the wrong courtesy flag in e.g. St Vincent and the locals can get very upset indeed,