Illegal ensigns

[Velorum]

Just reading a thread on euro ensigns etc on one of the other forums and had a thought. Has anyone been fined for having an illegal ensign on the Thames in recent years? Apart from the almost universal 'skull & crosssbones' on the hire boats (allways better in front of you than behind in the locks) I have seen a fair variety of other flags - Australian, South African etc.

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[TrueBlue]

There was some fuss last summer when lorra, lorra peeps were flying "George's" as a result of a complaint from a Dunkirk boat (quite reasonable at the time), but have not heard of any prosecution - probably because it's not clear who could instigate proceeding on Inland Waters. Hopefully a Court would throw it out as a timewaster.

Several boats flying NZ Red, Italian, NZ Blue (i.e. NZ national) and the odd Greek and Polish national flags although vessels in question are local boats.

All adds a bit of colour to our otherwise modern drab life and weather. Helps to dilute the vast quantity of Reds worn by vessels never venturing below Teddington.


Stand by for flaming.

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Stop what you're doing and wait my signal

 

[ccscott49]

What does it matter on the thames? Or the norfolk broads or wherever, but out at sea and especially foriegn it matters a lot. I know of a guy in Portugal who was fined for flying a "euro" instead of his Red, the maritime police, were not amused. Why all this fuss anyway, just fly (wear) the correct ensign, whats wrong with that? We have a marvellous maritime heritage, do we as pleasure boaters, want to destroy that? The merchant fleet dont use these "flags" why should we.

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[the_wanderer]

Why bother at all? There ain't no silly hats or flags on my little boat but it still goes!

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[gjgm]

curious. Sure, theres the heritage, if you are interested. And I can see commercial vessels should be identifiable maybe.
But otherwise, what does it matter? Are you going to steer clear if he s french for example? Or demand to see insurance details if Italian ? Maybe some VAT/tax issue in some places, but.. what IS the purpose for leisure vessels ?
Ignorance on my part perhaps...

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