Ensign protocol: The question - Red or Blue?

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Pyramid

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I carry a red ensign and have seen the 'red' across the world upon ships, yachts, boats of varying tonnage and use, both commercial and leisure. This weekend whilst sailing, in the humble Medway, it seems that every other yacht were flying the 'blue'!

Does this mean that these yachts are mastered by a 'commissioned officer' of the Royal Navy - current or retired, or, representative of their membership of a club that carries the Royal 'seal', or, is there a freedom to choose here?

I like the colour red, but, I like blue too!

Interesting:

Anyone oblige with the 'true' origins/circumstances where 'protocol' intervenes and the 'captain' of his own small sailing craft, makes the right decision and selects the right ensign?
 
simon-tracey said:
I carry a red ensign and have seen the 'red' across the world upon ships, yachts, boats of varying tonnage and use, both commercial and leisure. This weekend whilst sailing, in the humble Medway, it seems that every other yacht were flying the 'blue'!

Does this mean that these yachts are mastered by a 'commissioned officer' of the Royal Navy - current or retired, or, representative of their membership of a club that carries the Royal 'seal', or, is there a freedom to choose here?

I like the colour red, but, I like blue too!

Interesting:

Anyone oblige with the 'true' origins/circumstances where 'protocol' intervenes and the 'captain' of his own small sailing craft, makes the right decision and selects the right ensign?
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You could always try a quick search of the forums for all the other threads on this subject. On the other hand, if you are just trolling I am sure someone will bite soon.

Enjoy.
 
Ahh... this IT stuff... not really my thing... Search for 'all' the other threads you say...? New to the forum and green in many ways.

Ta.
 
simon-tracey said:
Does this mean that these yachts are mastered by a 'commissioned officer' of the Royal Navy - current or retired, or, representative of their membership of a club that carries the Royal 'seal', or, is there a freedom to choose here?
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The overwhelming majority of them will be members of a "Royal" club entitled to use the blue. Such clubs need not be vast, wealthy and elitist institutions, so just because the boat is small and/or scruffy it doesn't mean the owner is taking the piss.

In theory I believe you can be fined for flying a blue ensign you're not entitled to, but it's one of those esoteric laws that nobody actually enforces, so you'd be quite safe if you decided you liked the way it matched your cushions or whatever. Quite a lot of us would think you were being a dick, though.

Pete
 
Now...on the one hand, I like the red: a vibrant colour that stands out from a distance at sea, and doesn't seem to upset those with an inferiority complex.

On the other hand, I also like the blue. I think it looks very smart, it's always been my favourite colour, and I've personally found those who wear the blue to be perfectly charming.

So....as you're probably about to discover....there's only one way to sort out this perennial on this forum.....

All together now.......



FIGHT!!!!
 
Hello, whilst up the Yealm the other day we saw a rather smart motor yacht flying the white ensign, definitely not a warship. What's all that about then? I wouldn't dare fly one of those! Cheers.
 
Matador said:
Hello, whilst up the Yealm the other day we saw a rather smart motor yacht flying the white ensign, definitely not a warship. What's all that about then? I wouldn't dare fly one of those! Cheers.
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I've just been informed on 'FB' .... if you have a 2 & 1/2 or above onboard you are entitled to fly the White! (?)

I guess he'd still have to be 'serving' then!?
 
Matador said:
Hello, whilst up the Yealm the other day we saw a rather smart motor yacht flying the white ensign, definitely not a warship. What's all that about then? I wouldn't dare fly one of those! Cheers.
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I thought it was all about politics Labor, Conservatives and white for Peace?

Think I should get my coat...
 
OGITD said:
I've just been informed on 'FB' .... if you have a 2 & 1/2 or above onboard you are entitled to fly the White! (?)

I guess he'd still have to be 'serving' then!?
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Nothing like feeding a troll? Someone 'might' have said that on FB. (I will never know because I'm not on FB) but I strongly suspect that you also know that being an RN officer of any rank doesn't allow you to fly a Blue ensign on your yacht or motor boat. However anyone of any rank who has served in the RN is entitled to join the RNSA and if you then apply for the warrant and you boat is at least a few metres long (dinghies don't count!) you can fly the blue. And there are plenty of other yacht clubs who can grant permits as others have pointed out.

What I am more interested in is why so many people get so interested in the subject. (For interested read hot under the collar?) Who is entitled to wear what ensign comes from some historic anachronisms and one might argue that historical anachronisms (some call them traditions) is what makes the UK such a wonderful and diverse place to live.

For some reason it also winds some people up...
 
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Matador said:
Hello, whilst up the Yealm the other day we saw a rather smart motor yacht flying the white ensign, definitely not a warship. What's all that about then? I wouldn't dare fly one of those! Cheers.
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Not a warship you say. Perhaps you haven't seen Philip Hammond's latest plans to re-commission the Nic 55s? :D
 
Pleasure vessels wearing the white ensign denotes membership of the Royal Yacht Squadron based in cowes, this club is an invite only affair. undefaced Blue ensigns are the preserve of ex RN/RNR for which a warrant is required, defaced blue ensigns are issued by Royal yacht clubs and also require a warrant..Red ensigns are the maritime flag of the UK.
 
TWINSCREW said:
undefaced Blue ensigns are the preserve of ex RN/RNR for which a warrant is required, defaced blue ensigns are issued by Royal yacht clubs and also require a warrant.
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I thought that there are a few Yacht clubs that are entitled to the undefaced blue as a privileged ensign? Defaced blues are not only issued by Royal clubs, there are many non Royal clubs such as the Little Ship Club with a defaced blue. There are also some clubs that use a defaced red. This site http://www.flags.net/UNKG14.htm is a useful reference for those interested.
 
TWINSCREW said:
Pleasure vessels wearing the white ensign denotes membership of the Royal Yacht Squadron based in cowes, this club is an invite only affair. undefaced Blue ensigns are the preserve of ex RN/RNR for which a warrant is required, defaced blue ensigns are issued by Royal yacht clubs and also require a warrant..Red ensigns are the maritime flag of the UK.
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Probably one of the BRNC Dartmouth Yachts, carrying out sea sense training. We were allowed to wear it when local but not abroad.
 
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