Mel
Well-Known Member
I have been surprised to see a number of boats on the Orwell in recent weeks with no ensign displayed. Is this a new fashion ? Are there Regs. about this. Why bother ?
Ensign use
- Thread starter Mel
- Start date
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
Boats that are racing do not display an ensign.
Lazy people like me out for a few hours sometimes forget.
It is not illegal to sail without one in home waters.
Some people get very very worked up about flags and flag etiquette. There are more important things IMO.
Lazy people like me out for a few hours sometimes forget.
It is not illegal to sail without one in home waters.
Some people get very very worked up about flags and flag etiquette. There are more important things IMO.
Leighb
Well-Known Member
Many yachts do not wear ensigns, there is no obligation to do so unless you go abroad. I and many others prefer to do so but it is a free country and everyone can do what they wish.
The only thing regarding ensigns which does annoy me is seeing yachts with incorrect ones, such as the Union flag which should never be seen on a vessel underway, and even more common, the use of the St George Cross, the privilege of vessels that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.
The only thing regarding ensigns which does annoy me is seeing yachts with incorrect ones, such as the Union flag which should never be seen on a vessel underway, and even more common, the use of the St George Cross, the privilege of vessels that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation.
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
Regards the George Cross, I think it is a reaction to the separatist tendancy of the Scotnats who wear a Saltair. Again there seems to be a disfunction. Scots are allowed to wear their national flag but Englishmen are forbidden.
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Not forbidden, just at sea it has a different meaning. It is the flag of a full Admiral.
nortada
Well-Known Member
The Cornish have an interesting take in flags.
Many fly the Cornish White cross on a black background but with the union flag in the top left quarter.
Looks very smart.
Yet to see Devon follow suit with their white cross on a green background.
Interestingly, in foreign waters many authorities do not recognise either the white or blue duster & have been known to challenge vessels that do.
My philosophy is, When in Rome do as the Romans do.
Many fly the Cornish White cross on a black background but with the union flag in the top left quarter.
Looks very smart.
Yet to see Devon follow suit with their white cross on a green background.
Interestingly, in foreign waters many authorities do not recognise either the white or blue duster & have been known to challenge vessels that do.
My philosophy is, When in Rome do as the Romans do.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
how about the EU flag with the Union flag in the upper canton.
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
Useful for kindling, I understand.
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
It's not even legal - neither are the Cornish or Devon ensigns.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
should they be flown in conjunction with a motoring cone
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
jerrytug
N/A
Hello OR4751, does that mean there are laws against them in the UK? With fines or worse? Or just that they aren't officially recognised.
I'm sure Belgian customs etc would take a dim view..
Sixpence
Well-Known Member
Yes - but only during an RYA exam
That's fine, not going to effect me anytime soon :encouragement:
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
Sixpence
Well-Known Member
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
Bit of a gray area - on the one hand, you're only supposed to use the ensign of the country where the craft is registered, on the other hand in UK home waters UK registered craft don't have to fly any ensign.
Whatever the legal details, I think you're unlikely to be caught/fined.
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
We have a red, home made funny white and an undefaced blue and fly them in a rotation based on an algorithm computed using the two factors of what colour my daughters like that day and which came out of the cupboard first. On very special days we fly the flag of the Vatican navy. I love flags, I love people's reaction to them even more.
jerrytug
N/A
I see thanks, I like seeing Cornish flags etc and think it's harmless fun!
Bru
Well-Known Member
Yep, there are laws (or a law). Can't be bothered to go look it up but it's there. I believe the penalty is seizure of the offending flag, there may be a fine as well
Never ever heard of it being enforced though. Surprisingly, in the all too often petty rule bound modern world in which we live, there is a remarkably laid back official attitude towards leisure vessels in UK waters (and long may is remain so)
ex-Gladys
Well-Known Member
I fly my Cornish ensign from my port spreader with pride.