End of the Red Duster ?

[alec]

The Red Duster may lose the Union Jack element and be replaced by the European Flag element (blue with yellow stars).

The proposal was given the green light by Euro MP’s after Spanish MEP Josu Ortuondo Larrea claimed that carrying the European Union Flag would make shipping more identifiable at sea.

The plans are awaiting approval in the European Parliament.




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[alec]

Quote from Merchant Navy Association chairman Captain John Sail :-

'It is terrible that they should try to alter such a symbol of British success. The EU has nothing to do with our history of extreme bravery during cinflict'



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[Twister_Ken]

Probably cobblers

Sounds like another tabloid 'straight banana' story to me.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[alec]

Daily Express 27/11/2003 (NM)

.

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[ianwright]

Not while there is salt in the sea,,,,,,,,,,,,,!

IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience

 

[charles_reed]

They\'ll go to

any ridiculous length to whip up Europhobia.

Personally I find "el Pais" a more reliable source of English News than any of the UK papers.

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[sailorman]

i guess u really must mean the "Union Flag" element

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[claymore]

Oh Damn - I just bought a new one last season

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[longjohnsilver]

I'll buy it from you, must be a bargain now it's of no use to you!!

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[claymore]

So that you can fly it prior to breaking out the Skull and Crossbones on some innocent bunch of day-tripping Morris Dancers? I don't think so you black-hearted brigand.


<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[jimi]

If he did say that, I think it is rather derogatory of other nations to imply that they were less brave than the British. Personally I do'nt see why we don't just fly our national flag like most other nations.

Hmm



<hr width=100% size=1>O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!

 

[StugeronSteve]

I would have thought that it was most likely to lose the red background in favour of the Euro flag and keep the Union Flag in the top corner.

Mind you there are so few commercial vessels carrying the red duster that, were it not for yachts, we would probably never notice the change.

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[alec]

I tend to agree with Jimi - Let's all fly the national flag like other countries. No need to bury the past though.

Time for a change anyway ?

Factoids on the Red Ensign :-

Became the official flag of the Merchant Navy in 1864.

At the turn of the 20th century almost half of the world's merchant fleet flew the Red Ensign. Today is 2.5%.



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[Neraida]

Ok, sweeping statement time..

I would NEVER fly a european flag as an ensign. If I would be liable to prosecution, i would have to be prosectuted. If it meant that I could not sail to another country, I would stay here. If my vessel would be arrested for breach of a law such as this, i would not set sail and sell.

I usually stear clear of politics in the forum, and indeed in real life, as i'm not a "political" kinda guy.

I am an ex merchantman, and I sailed under the red duster, soon after my company "flagged out", i left. Flying a Red (or blue for that matter) Ensign is my way of saying I'm British without being a branded a Fascist by the "PC" brigade.

I am just saying this because I actually feel it. However I've never taken any notice of the Daily Express before... not sure i should now.

I'd better go have a lie down now.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/postlist.pl?Cat=&Board=wanted>Stuff Wanted </A>

 

[Moose]

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

I would NEVER fly a european flag as an ensign. If I would be liable to prosecution, i would have to be prosectuted. If it meant that I could not sail to another country, I would stay here. If my vessel would be arrested for breach of a law such as this, i would not set sail and sell."

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<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

Ensign is my way of saying I'm British without being a branded a Fascist by the "PC" brigade.

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Same as me, and I am a MoBo!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>My Moose is having a rest, he has done enough walking for the year.

 

[petery]

Let's be relaxed about GMT becoming UTC; pounds becoming kilos and losing the red ensign - and remember all those foreigners are having to learn English.

The world's 'lingua franca' is no longer 'franca' it's English - OK American - and that's good enough for me.

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[jimi]

Acshully there are more spanish speakers than english yins.



<hr width=100% size=1>O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!

 

[BrendanS]

I thought you were a Moose?

It would be a real shame it they tampered with what is a British Nautical Heritage. We don't seem to have much of it left, or am I just being nostaligic.

<hr width=100% size=1>Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo

 

[PeterGibbs]

Re: End of the Red Duster -no

My understanding is that the EU will remain a coupling of nation states. My Prime minister has said so!

Present law requires every vessel to be identified by nationality. Ergo, the European flag will not suffice. Since the EU is not (yet) a nation or state, the circle of stars flag has no legal meaning - it is just a pretty duster.

If Mr Blair waives this, surely he has taken one more step to abolish the sovereign state? What would he care? And what would our Queen fly on her car, palace etc?

PWG

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[claymore]

Is that why they started calling Jif Gif and Oil of Islay ole?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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