'Dipping' of ensign

[pmagowan]

I also sip to the white ensign of the royal yacht squadron and have always had an acknowledgement even in some right spots. It is good sport and keeps everyone entertained.

 

[alant]

The Anderson effect perhaps?

Couldn't see the A22 travelling at light speed.

 

[alant]

I also sip to the white ensign of the royal yacht squadron and have always had an acknowledgement even in some right spots. It is good sport and keeps everyone entertained.

Do you lick your lips after sipping?

 

[GrahamM376]

If your ensign is on a pole, remove the pole and dip it down towards the water. Wait until the warship dips and raises and then raise yours and replace.

Around here, while you're waiting, they're most likely totting up how much they can fine you for not displaying your ensign

 

[Seajet]

Couldn't see the A22 travelling at light speed.

Sorry I imagine the ensign must slip down a bit when I call Scotty " sheet in and give her everything you''ve got, charge tubes in case we meet the snail ! "

 

[john_morris_uk]

Sorry I imagine the ensign must slip down a bit when I call Scotty " sheet in and give her everything you''ve got, charge tubes in case we meet the snail ! "

Slip down a bit!

He will assume you are dipping to him..

 

[TiggerToo]

We dipped once, just west of Rame head. I was really surprised to see some rather evident activity on deck, some guys running, and then down went their ensign. The kids were mightily impressed - as was I.

I must say that after that once, I have never repeated the effort. Did not want to cause unnecessary work for some poor guy. If I met a grey dinghy in the high seas, though, I probably would....

 

[MoodySabre]

Ridiculous business. It's 2016 for heavens sake.

 

[adwuk]

Ridiculous business. It's 2016 for heavens sake.

So what if its 2016. Its a tradition, and I hope it stays.

 

[pmagowan]

It will last as long as I am on the sea! Are we really se keen to throw out all out maritime heritage just because it makes no sense in the modern era?

 

[Bru]

It will last as long as I am on the sea! Are we really se keen to throw out all out maritime heritage just because it makes no sense in the modern era?

Indeed

I mean, what's all this nonsense with sails for heavens sake? It's the 21st century and the internal combustion engine has been around since the 19th century! It's ridiculous

 

[Appledore]

We were always told to dip our ensign when in sight of a Naval ship. Apparently it used to be a sign of surrender, of course. All the yachts of the JSASTC in Gosport are 'military ships' and wear the defaced Blue Ensign. All our skippers were ex-RN, and we were expected to do it.

I've never done so in my 22 footer in or around Plymouth, just too many ships around, and if one is on the move you are more than likely to be chased away by the MOD police. I doubt that anyone would notice anyway with a small ensign and boat.

I may do it in open waters if close enough!

 

[laika]

I know most of the recognised signals for 'distress' - including the burning barrel of tar - but not one for "We're all right, but thanks for asking...."

CK according to my handy copy of the ICOS.
Presumably if you didn't have signal flags you could hoist a pair of pants

 

[chrishscorp]

Interesting - we'll be sailing into Portsmouth in a few days - may try it to see if anyone responds. We do fly the ensign from the backstay, but quite low and it is not particularly visible

You may need to try to spot a warship first....

 

[Bru]

We were always told to dip our ensign when in sight of a Naval ship. Apparently it used to be a sign of surrender, of course.... !

I think you had to strike (completely lower) the colours (ensign) to surrender, not just dip it

The victor would then hoist it again with his own colours above it

 

[blackfish]

You may need to try to spot a warship first....

Yes. I believe even HMS Pinafore has now been decommissioned.

 

[Topcat47]

Yes. I believe even HMS Pinafore has now been decommissioned.

I think the navy still has enough fuel for HMS Severn.

 

[shaunksb]

I've tried it to British warships and been cooly ignored...

That's a shame.

If I was the CO of a warship and saw you do that I wouldn't ignore you.

Not with all that firepower at hand...


_____________________________

 

[Sandy Bottom]

It was 'dinned' into me that, if one was important enough to have a yacht, one should 'dip' one's national ensign on encountering a warship... as a courtesy.

That could get a bit frantic when sailing in the vicinity of Plymouth, as there is expectation of the 'salute' being returned by the warship.

What guidance can the crusty old Port hands offer?

It is your duty, as a mere member of a junior service, to do so. Last time you guys argued the situation, you lost the right (privilege) to carry Britain's nuclear deterrent, learn the lesson, move on.

 

[BrianH]

The first time I dipped to a naval ship was in the North Sea close to the Outer Dowsing light vessel (as it was then) off the Humber, on passage to Holland in the 1960s, and to a RN vessel, which was ignored. Well, it was a bit foggy but I could see them well enough.

The second and last time was in the early 1980s to a very formidable Yugoslav warship that passed me in the Adriatic - I was suitably impressed to see a rating sprint aft to respond. I was less impressed later with the same vessel's bombardment of the world heritage site of Dubrovnik as the emerging Croatia battled for independence while Serbia controlled the Yugoslav navy.