Ensigns/flags

why do sailors who fly the Blue or White if they are not eligible?
Surely the RN/RAF/ARMY should be sole users full stop?
If you serve your country and put your life on the line then a blue or white ensign seems rather a poultry privilege in my view. I would never try to be an imposter of such a well deserved privilege.
I don't get fazed by white or blue I am red and that's that, I am proud to fly it even though I have sailed for hours forgetting to put it up.
What do service men think of non military encroaching on their flags?

bob
 
innesker said:
Just what is objectionable about someone earning a reward by their own efforts?

Especially a reward which clearly has value to them but negligible cost to the rest of us?

Can you explain yourself?
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Nothing at all as you describe it. It's the ATTITUDE of so many who fly it which is so objectionable - I can fly 'this' flag, and I'm therefore superior to you, you smelly little oik!
Fly it by all means, but remember , that's the ONLY privilege you've earned - the right to fly it, and not all of you by any means seem to understand that.
Fortunately these bits of cloth are mercifully rare in my local waters and when seen are usually flown by large 'bling boats!
 
Easticks28 said:
Nothing at all as you describe it. It's the ATTITUDE of so many who fly it which is so objectionable - I can fly 'this' flag, and I'm therefore superior to you, you smelly little oik!
Fly it by all means, but remember , that's the ONLY privilege you've earned - the right to fly it, and not all of you by any means seem to understand that.
Fortunately these bits of cloth are mercifully rare in my local waters and when seen are usually flown by large 'bling boats!
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Is this your regular experience with people who fly distinguished ensigns? Or has one experience made you bitter? Or worse, is this simply what you think they'll be like? You sound an awful lot more snobbish even than the people I've met from the Yacht Squadron. And one of them even wears a yachting cap.
 
I don't have any hang up about it all really but now that I am coming to the end of 21 years of Commissioned Service (a total of 8 years of which SWMBO reminds me I was actually physically away 'on Ops' in the Balkans, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Afghan and others) I think I might just fly my RAFSA light blue one whenever the 'St Piran' is in the wash. ;) I never knew it was considered elitist and would likely draw the attention of Trenton the next time I pootle up the Fal but I'm willing to take the risk. I have a Service Webley for such situations after all.

I will of course host sundowners onboard for the first decent chap/chapess that takes my lines while I struggle to come alongside in my long-keeler against the elements with my very enthusiastic yet inexperienced family crew and make a complete hash of it. :D
 
Easticks28 said:
Nothing at all as you describe it. It's the ATTITUDE of so many who fly it which is so objectionable - I can fly 'this' flag, and I'm therefore superior to you, you smelly little oik!
Fly it by all means, but remember , that's the ONLY privilege you've earned - the right to fly it, and not all of you by any means seem to understand that.
Fortunately these bits of cloth are mercifully rare in my local waters and when seen are usually flown by large 'bling boats!
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My, that is a big chip on your shoulder. Not sure what I did to deserve it.

I am a scouser, working class & pensioner. Here is my ensign on my 40 year old plastic MAB. How could I possibly claim to be superior to you? :confused:

ensign.jpg


How am I entitled to wear a defaced blue? I am a member of the Royal Welsh Yacht Club which was granted the honour of the ensign & issues permits to qualifying members. Qualifying? Paid their subs, vessel over 7m LOA, registered & holder of a permit. I had to pay for my permit & bought the ensign from the club, all of which helps raise funds to support our C13th clubhouse. Gosh, maybe I am evil & superior after all. :eek:
 
Easticks28 said:
Nothing at all as you describe it. It's the ATTITUDE of so many who fly it which is so objectionable - I can fly 'this' flag, and I'm therefore superior to you, you smelly little oik!
Fly it by all means, but remember , that's the ONLY privilege you've earned - the right to fly it, and not all of you by any means seem to understand that.
Fortunately these bits of cloth are mercifully rare in my local waters and when seen are usually flown by large 'bling boats!
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Wow!

Presumably someone else typed this for you as I cannot possibly believe that you can read and write!
 
chinita said:
Sorry to disappoint but, yes, you do. All you need is your Army Number.

Fill in the form:

http://www.sailarmy.co.uk/asa/pdf/asa_membership_form.pdf

....and you can apply for a defaced blue ensign permit and joint the elite, like the rest of us.

You have earned the privilege.
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This is just a query, not any attempt at criticism. The form suggests that the Army Number is optional and perhaps is not needed i.e. I have never been a member of Her Majesties armed services, so it looks like I could join the ASA. Would this mean (following on from Searush's last post) that if I became a member (assuming I can), that I could apply, pay the fees, buy the blue ensign and fly it? This is not something that I would do ( with the ASA) but I would apply for a blue ensign if I became a member of an appropriate club.
 
Doesn't the ASA form require you to specify type of membership requested? As in...

Insert the type of membership you are applying for:
* Full Member -Serving & Retired Regular/Reserve Army Personnel
* Family Member -For the spouse and children under 18 of a member of any category (can opt for Associate Membership if over 18)
* Associate Member -Serving members of other services, MoD Civilian Employees, Civilian Members of local ASA clubs.

That would seem to say you have to meet the criteria above to join.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
This is just a query, not any attempt at criticism. The form suggests that the Army Number is optional and perhaps is not needed i.e. I have never been a member of Her Majesties armed services, so it looks like I could join the ASA. Would this mean (following on from Searush's last post) that if I became a member (assuming I can), that I could apply, pay the fees, buy the blue ensign and fly it? This is not something that I would do ( with the ASA) but I would apply for a blue ensign if I became a member of an appropriate club.
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I believe that the Army Number is required if you are serving, or have served, in the Army. The 'if appropriate' refers to those civilians (MoD for example) who are eligible to join but clearly do not have an Army Number.

If you are a member of any club or association which holds the Warrant then you can apply for a permit providing that your boat fulfills the relevant specification. Note that it is the boat which holds the permit - not the individual - BUT, in order to wear the ensign, the individual needs to be on board!
 
KevO said:
Doesn't the ASA form require you to specify type of membership requested? As in...

Insert the type of membership you are applying for:
* Full Member -Serving & Retired Regular/Reserve Army Personnel
* Family Member -For the spouse and children under 18 of a member of any category (can opt for Associate Membership if over 18)
* Associate Member -Serving members of other services, MoD Civilian Employees, Civilian Members of local ASA clubs.

That would seem to say you have to meet the criteria above to join.
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Yep.

A pretty broad range of eligibility it would seem to me. Similarly, the RNSA offers membership to other services if they have been attached to a Navy Unit for a tour of duty.
 
chinita said:
.... The 'if appropriate' refers to those civilians (MoD for example) who are eligible to join but clearly do not have an Army Number .....
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That makes sense, thanks, and thanks for the boat / individual bit. My red ensign will just have stay for the time being. Having said that, son wants to join a club, and there are a number of clubs around me that would allow an application to be considered. So we shall see.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
That makes sense, thanks, and thanks for the boat / individual bit. My red ensign will just have stay for the time being. Having said that, son wants to join a club, and there are a number of clubs around me that would allow an application to be considered. So we shall see.
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You also have to be resident in the UK & with a British registered (SSR will do)boat - so might not be a good idea to encourage MacSalmond, just in case he gets it in his head to declare UDI for you. :D

Oh, and you need to remember that some people seem to think you must display a higher standard of seamanship & must also be rich enough to buy all the drinks. But I can easily disprove the veracity of those silly ideas.
 
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Searush said:
My, that is a big chip on your shoulder. Not sure what I did to deserve it.

I am a scouser, working class & pensioner. Here is my ensign on my 40 year old plastic MAB. How could I possibly claim to be superior to you? :confused:

ensign.jpg


How am I entitled to wear a defaced blue? I am a member of the Royal Welsh Yacht Club which was granted the honour of the ensign & issues permits to qualifying members. Qualifying? Paid their subs, vessel over 7m LOA, registered & holder of a permit. I had to pay for my permit & bought the ensign from the club, all of which helps raise funds to support our C13th clubhouse. Gosh, maybe I am evil & superior after all. :eek:
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Searush
if you were to give up your membership would you stll be eligie to fly the df blue?
 
What's with all the ill feelings towards blue ensigns?

I once saw a largo mobo with a blue ensign power through the middle of a bunch of sailing yachts (including us) with total disregard to the colregs and anyone else out on the water.

However, I've also dealt with a number of boats (both power and sail) wearing the red ensign who also clearly had no idea what they were doing, or simply didn't care.

I personally don't think the colour of one's ensign is what causes someone to be a tool, it's just the way the person is.

As for me, my boat wears her red ensign with pride.
 
I once had a large MOBO with a red ensign steam right over a dive site in Plymouth Sound between 3 RIBs clearly displaying the flag alpha and several SMBs on the surface (with divers ascending beneath them), despite me trying to shepherd them away by crossing repeatedly in front of them and calling them on the VHF with no answer. You don't have to be a blue to be a c*ck! ;)
 
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