Ensign protocol: The question - Red or Blue?

Mudisox said:
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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If memory serves, when abroad they fly the Government service ensign, in common with Army yachts. For those unaware, that's a blue ensign defaced with a horizontal gold anchor.
 
I think the history is quite interesting that surrounds the three flags especially how the defaced red for The Royal Victoria SC came about.

Next yacht will be Swedish registered though, I like the flag ;) For world cruising it feels better being more neutral.
 
l'escargot said:
Simplest way if you want a blue is join the Cruising Association.
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Or just buy one and fly it. I doubt anybody has ever been challenged let alone charged for waving the wrong flaggy thing in UK waters - seen all sorts of colourful combinations with inserted Scottish and Welsh flags with nobody bothering a jot (not recommended overseas though).

But we need to find a way to combine best anchor type and AWB vs MAB into this thread to complete the set of hardy perennials
 
dunedin said:
Or just buy one and fly it. I doubt anybody has ever been challenged let alone charged for waving the wrong flaggy thing in UK waters -
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My little Rowan is registered (Part 1) in Guernsey, so eventually I bought a Guernsey Red Defaced Ensign. I have since been told in no uncertain terms (by a Guernseyman!!) that to fly it would be an offence since I actually live in the UK!

So I will continue to wear my Defaced Blue Ensign and burgee, with pride!
 
Pleiades said:
Am quite content for my vessels to make do with the superior ensign -
View attachment 32272 which is the Red, cause that's what was on HMS Victory @ Trafalgar

Robin
Pleiades of Birdham
MXWQ5
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I have always heard the story as Nelson was Admaril of The White and the Royal Navy all took to flying the white Ensign in his honor afterward. Wouldn't the Victory as his flag ship have flown his ensign.
 
the Royal Temple Yacht Club in Ramsgate has a warrant from the late Queen Victoria to allow members of the club, who have appropriate yachts, to wear an un smudged blue...

I could feel the glairs of hostility from the bridge of the Pride of Canterbury when I snuck down her side whilst leaving CalIs with my huge great blue dangling from the back...

I now have a simple red... as was said elsewhere in this parish..

If it was good enough for the merchant saliors who crewed the Atlantic conveys in the war.... it is good enough for me.. :)
 
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Philiz said:
This may be a troll, but I'm interested to know why you might think this question applies to yachts and not mobos?
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A yacht can be either a 'motor yacht' or a 'sailing yacht' and today the definition is associated with vessels used for leisure purposes. A notable example of a motor yacht is the former royal yacht "Britannia".
 
more importantly , amognst the other requirements mentioned to fly a blue ensign , the vessel must be registered in the british ships register with a registered tonnage , so what you may ask ,

this is also a requirement for a financed vessel ie , one with marine mortgage , when , lombard , bos etc where handing out mortgages like sweeties at easter , there was an increase in blue ensigns .
 
markhomer said:
more importantly , amognst the other requirements mentioned to fly a blue ensign , the vessel must be registered in the british ships register with a registered tonnage , so what you may ask ,

this is also a requirement for a financed vessel ie , one with marine mortgage , when , lombard , bos etc where handing out mortgages like sweeties at easter , there was an increase in blue ensigns .
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Not true. The boat has to be registered which can also mean on the SSR. Right to wear a defaced (Blue or Red) is nothing to do with finance on a vessel. Solely to do with the eligibility of the owner(s) and can only be worn in specific circumstances on a nominated registered ship.
 
Neil_Y said:
Vice Admiral of the white
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I don't believe Nelson hoisted a red flag at any of his last three famous fleet engagements. At the Nile he was a Rear Admiral of the White, at Copenhagen a Vice Admiral of the Blue and at Trafalgar he was a Vice Admiral of the White Squadron.
 
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Sandyman said:
Heavy FFO
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If memory serves she was converted to burn Diesel Oil post Falklands, in common with the rest of the fleet. I could be wrong, but I think she was the last ship in the RN to burn FFO (either her or Fearless) and this caused all manner of logistical problems.
 
Sandyman said:
Heavy FFO
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I thought you were going to say coal!!
So now one begs the question
Why is it not a motor yacht?
A motor is a motor whether the motive force is oil burning to get steam from water to drive a piston by expansion or a diesel engine burning oil by direct expansion to do a similar thing
Nothing to do with the thread but material for the club bar over the weekend
 
Daydream believer said:
I thought you were going to say coal!!
So now one begs the question
Why is it not a motor yacht?
A motor is a motor whether the motive force is oil burning to get steam from water to drive a piston by expansion or a diesel engine burning oil by direct expansion to do a similar thing
Nothing to do with the thread but material for the club bar over the weekend
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Remembering how filthy the stokers got on there it could well have been coal :D

FFO was still around in the late 70's for sure. I was on the last commish on the Reclaim and we used FFO. Also the last DC ship in the RN.
Last ship to use sails and last stem recip donks. Great ship, it was like living in the 1930's :D
 
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