Flag question

[TQA]

We spotted a large motor boat [ well yacht I suppose ] with a blue ensign on the rear and a union jack with a white border flying from a staff on the bow.

I looked up the flags book and it described the union jack with a white border as the civil jack but gave no reason for flying it on a boat.

Any ideas?

 

[dunmor]

i believe the union jack with a white border is the correct one to fly at sea, not the one without.

 

[FishyInverness]

A quick google search reveals:

"The civil jack (Pilot jack)
There is a different jack for civil vessels. This is an elongated Union Flag with a wide white border around it.
Graham Bartram, 1 June 1999

The Pilot Jack (the white-bordered Union Jack) ceased to be a pilot signal in 1970. It is only used as the civil jack (also named merchant jack, but recreational boats may also use it). It is not very often used.
David Prothero, 31 July 2001, Jose C. Alegria, 2 August 2001

Can this flag be used on inland waterways like the River Thames? It is debatable as to whether the Merchant Shipping Act actually applies to inland waterways, however whether it does or not, the River Thames is a tidal river and as such should not (in my opinion) be so classed. It follows therefore, that Part 1.4(1)(a)(ii) of the Merchant Shipping Act (1995) comes into force and this specifically permits the use of "the Union Flag (commonly called the Union Jack) with a white border" as being one of the "distinctive colours" permitted to merchant vessels. The use of these "distinctive national colours" is nowhere forbidden in law in either inland or coastal waterways.
Christopher Southworth, 11 June 2004

The flag was introduced in 1823, and (whilst established in law from 1854 onwards) is no longer used for its original purpose and (from a date unknown but probably 19th Century) also assumed the role of a civil jack.
Christopher Southworth, 24 April 2011"

 

[glashen]

It is normally called a pilot jack, you mostly see it when ships are dressed overall, it is flown at the bow when in harbour I believe. I think I'm also right in saying you should never fly a Union Flag on a yacht or ship unless the Queen is on board.

 

[prv]

I think I'm also right in saying you should never fly a Union Flag on a yacht or ship unless the Queen is on board.

I'm not certain, but I think the Navy can.

Sounds like the civil jack (Union Jack with a white border) can be flown at the bow by anyone who feels like it. And why not, it could look very nice on the right kind of boat.

Pete

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

It is normally called a pilot jack, you mostly see it when ships are dressed overall, it is flown at the bow when in harbour I believe. I think I'm also right in saying you should never fly a Union Flag on a yacht or ship unless the Queen is on board.

That's not true.

See http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222739

And you can fly a pilot jack anywhere you like it you breaking the "law".

 

[VicS]

From the RYA website

A Union Jack with a white border, was formerly used to request a pilot and may only be used by UK Registered ships. Nowadays, known as the civil jack, it may be flown by any UK registered vessel from a jack staff at the bow whilst at anchor or in harbour. Merchant ships however may fly their own house flags in its place.

 

[binch]

Pilot jack

Was the official flag flown by Queen's Harbour Masters (I was QHM Gibraltar and later QHM Trincomalee), but it is also the jack available to "civilian" ships to be worn at the jackstaff at the stemhead in the same manner as the union jack for HM Ships.
It should not be worn at sea unles the ship is dressed overall.
But pernicketiness over flags has virtually disappeared.
The DBA (Barge Association) sought and obtained permission to wear it at the stemhead on continental canals. Their argument was that lock-keepers could then tell the nationality of the approaching boat. (They do this with AIS now)
Sea regulations apply to all waters accessible to sea-going craft. (Col regs) However, nation states can vary some rules where estuaries become difficult and/or narrow.
I always use the pilot jack when at anchor, but not when moored at a quay.
Like all flags in yachts, it is a bit of harmless B/S that consoles us oldies for growing old. (Things aint what they were, my boy)

 

[TQA]

I spotted the flag in question on this bit of Clyde built history anchored off Martinique.

Further pics to come as soon as I work out how to use the new file loader. No obvious way of deleting pics and I am at my limit.

 

[RUSSH]

You mean one like this?

Not mine. Seen just outside Portland marina during Olympics. I'd like one. Anyone know where to get one?

 

[wadget]

That's not true.

See http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222739

And you can fly a pilot jack anywhere you like it you breaking the "law".

I'm confused your last sentence makes no sense.

 

[VicS]

. No obvious way of deleting pics and I am at my limit.

Settings ( top RH corner)

LH panel , last thing on the list "Attachments"

Tick boxes and "delete selected"

New uploader is a dream compared with the old way. No need to reduce picture size first either. Do it from "Insert Image" on the formatting tool bar