Ensign etiquette

[Shambles]

I have noticed an increasing ignorance of basic procedures lately.

Recently a MC was alongside in Weymouth (No name no packdrill). She was flying two blue ensigns - one from an ensign staff aft and one from his gantry. In addition there was a red ensign flying from the pulpit (jack staff).

Curious as to this strange display I enquired the owners reasons. His reply:- "I didnt know it mattered, I bought a blue one because it matches the boat!!"

I am not going to get too concerned about this but it poses the question if his knowledge on this matter is so lacking, whats he like on other aspects; boat handling, safety, tides, weather etc?

 

[snooks]

So he lacks knowledge of flag etiquette. Some people lack manners. Other lack common sense. Everyone is different.

I can't say where or what colour the flag on my boat is, was at the top of the list of things I wanted to learn before I got on the water, when I started sailing the boat I was on didn't even have an ensign. No one can be expected to learn everything before buying a boat.

I sometimes forget to take mine down at night, Are you going to assume I know nothing as well?

 

[Chris_Robb]

I sometimes forget to take mine down at night, Are you going to assume I know nothing as well?

I always forget to take mine down at night....

 

[snooks]

I don't seem to forget at anchor or on a mooring

However when I'm in a marina or with lots of boats around I don't tend to go for "one last look around the deck"

 

[MacMan]

I have noticed an increasing ignorance of basic procedures lately.

Curious as to this strange display I enquired the owners reasons. His reply:- "I didnt know it mattered, I bought a blue one because it matches the boat!!"

LOL

Now I KNOW why it is a good idea to steer clear of Blue Ensign craft. ;-) They do seem to hit more things on average than Red Ensign boat. Or is that just me ?

(Ducks for cover)

But then again I suppose this vessel was flying both so doesn't count. (but 66% a Blue Ensign boat though!)

 

[pessimist]

I have noticed an increasing ignorance of basic procedures lately.

Recently a MC was alongside in Weymouth (No name no packdrill). She was flying two blue ensigns - one from an ensign staff aft and one from his gantry. In addition there was a red ensign flying from the pulpit (jack staff).

Curious as to this strange display I enquired the owners reasons. His reply:- "I didnt know it mattered, I bought a blue one because it matches the boat!!"

I am not going to get too concerned about this but it poses the question if his knowledge on this matter is so lacking, whats he like on other aspects; boat handling, safety, tides, weather etc?

What on earth has ensign etiquette to do with boat handling etc.? Some enjoy ensigns - I don't give a toss. We've had the same one for twenty odd years now. Can't remember the last time we "wore" it.

 

[pendlecats]

I always forget to take mine down at night....

I came across two boats that had been fencing overnight stern to stern the Bav won as it kept what was left of the other boats flag and pole.

I started sailing and learning about flags at the same time, in fact the burgee was quite an important part, and at 10 I thought they looked cool.

 

[islandsailor]

I got very rudely told off by the neighboring boat where I berth about leaving my ensign flying overnight, and having seen his boat handling first hand can I suggest that the opposite might be true?

 

[Iota]

I got very rudely told off by the neighboring boat where I berth about leaving my ensign flying overnight, and having seen his boat handling first hand can I suggest that the opposite might be true?

I wonder why it is that a minority of boat owners feel obliged to tell other boat owners about flags, col regs or anything else whilst they are on the water. Chip on shoulder or what?

 

[Evadne]

I was taught that in the merchant marine (red flag) the ensign was worn in coastal waters when the captain was on board. All that bugles and flag lowering at sunset stuff is for the Andrew, where thay have so many matelots they keep having to think up unnecesary jobs to keep them occupied.

Not sure how true it is on other boats, but as a result I fly the red ensign from when we board on the mooring to when we get off, whether it's a day or a week later. I also fly several burgees from the mast and a large multicoloured fish on the backstay. Frapping the halyards at night is more important than lowering the flag.

Sailing at night, I furl the ensign around the flagstaff, but only to keep it out of the way of the sternlight.

 

[smeaks]

my ensign is orange,,, must print a new one soon

 

[Cornishman]

I always forget to take mine down at night....

I knew there was a reason why my ensigns lasted twice as long as some others. Now I know.

 

[Litotes]

I knew there was a reason why my ensigns lasted twice as long as some others. Now I know.

That was the original reason for taking it in at night, I believe.

Most of the "traditions" that provoke such scorn on these boards have good, practical reasons behind them.

 

[pmyatt]

That was the original reason for taking it in at night, I believe.

Most of the "traditions" that provoke such scorn on these boards have good, practical reasons behind them.

It was Samuel Pepys, as Secretary to the Admiralty Board, who introduced it to save wear on Royal Navy ensigns

 

[Lakesailor]

Samuel Pepys

I think we have more durable materials these days.
Do people who mither about ensigns and flags also jack their cars up on bricks if not using it for a while and drain down the central heating when going on holiday?
Traditions are fine if you enjoy them (and like Morris Dancing) but can't see why anyone would bother other normal people with them.

 

[thedoc]

ettyket

Its fine to keep old traditions going but there is no place for being anally retentive about it. I try to remember but its not my first priority and if someone criticised me for it I would probably collapse with laughter.

 

[Spyro]

I have noticed an increasing ignorance of basic procedures lately.

I'm sure you didn't mean to sound like a prat maybe it's just the way it came across.
For someone who admits to being ignorant of basic procedures could you explain them to me?

 

[Ubergeekian]

I am not going to get too concerned about this but it poses the question if his knowledge on this matter is so lacking, whats he like on other aspects; boat handling, safety, tides, weather etc?

I can't see any reason to expect a link flag etiquette - which is basically just a game - and Proper Important Stuff.

 

[mikehibb]

I try to remember to take my red duster down, just to keep it in good condition, to tell the truth it is a rather faded shade of red now.

What I do have to be carefull of is my courtesy flag as the boat is based in Turkey.

The local authorities take a dim view of a battered/weathered courtesy flag. The locally made ones do not last more than a few months, however they are only about £2 each so no excuse not to buy a few at a time.

I was given a tip by a local to always make sure the courtesy flag was in tip top condition, best way to avoid local Coast Guard patrols pulling you over for a document check.

Not been pulled over yet, it is a minimal cost just to avoid the inconvenience. I say let them pull over the tatty flags first.

 

[oceanfroggie]

Boat handling, safety and navigation skills are kind of primary requirements to enjoy our unregulated leisure boating. Knowing out dated and rather quaint customs as to flappy flag etiquette seems a somewhat secondary skill requirement. Some people like to dress up for dinner, other wish to relax and enjoy, formality has been dying away for years now. Does it really matter compared to safety and leisure?