Red Ensign ?

DAKA

DAKA

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I've never really fully got to terms with flag etiquette and only tend to fly a red duster while abroad.

Last weekend I noticed we appeared to be the only boat not flying the red duster.

Is there any law that says you have to fly one when in coastal waters ?
inland waters ?

When abroad are you legally obliged to fly it overnight ?

I did read my Almanac when I got it (sail and power 1998/99) and I presume it hasn't altered but it went on about what one should do as opposed to what you are legally obliged to do.


My current flag etiquette is to put it up when we first go to France for a week end( May/June) and to leave it up until lift out (Oct/Nov).
 
reckon your 'etiquette' covers you for your obligations but isn't strictly 'ettiquete' compliant!

my understanding (from on here!) is that when leave our waters you should fly the ensign (as it's appropriate to the vessels registration in your case).

if you leave the EU you should fly the Q flag from the starboard crosstrees on returning to EU waters.

it's nice, and courteus, to fly the ensign of any country (or baliwick, or local area.........) when in their waters or entering their ports - same starboard crosstree.

and there's somwthing etiquettei'ish about raising and lowering the ensign at night, morning, joining leaving the boat............??????????

and then of course there's GC1.... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Thanks Duncan, it is the lowering at night that set me off on the apparent laziness, but it is more concern for doing the right thing.

when in France should you still lower and then risk getting prosecuted for not flying the red ensign /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Not entirely sure I get the Q flag right on return either seeing as you mention it.

On arrival back from CI to Studland hoist yellow duster.
Leave up until post form obtained from Yarmouth/Chichester (none at Cobbs Quay) so it could be a few days but sort of mingles in well with the cobbs residents burgee.

If you read the form I think you should phone the Coast Guard but they dont print the telephone number /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
On arrival back from CI to Studland hoist yellow duster

[/ QUOTE ]

see you problem now - the Banks Arms isn't a designated port of entry............ /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I think the number is available somewhere (q someone with number......) my understanding is that once upon a time you shouldn't land until formally released by customs except that you can go ashore to contact them (at which point they might ask some questions and tell you to put the form in the post). Now i think you can either use a designated box (one on Poole Quay at their building I believe) and many marinas or GPO. Pesonally I am still awaiting a few forms - not a lot of Rockley boats make the trip!!! i only fly it for effect anyway when heading back into Poole Harbour Sunday evening with the crowds (from Studland Bay) /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
When alongside or at anchor, ensign should be raised and lowered at 0800 hrs and sunset (except when sunset after 2100 hrs when ceremony should take place at 2100. - and to be strictly kosher, you sjhould follow the movements of the senior person present concerning timing.

When at sea, they stay up.

I am a lazy person so frequently only put it up when onboard and take it down again when leaving at the end of the weekend!
 
Only if you want to upset HM Naval personnel.

They usually get the hump cause they are busy doing other more important things....like bumping into rocks. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif


On the etiquette....I was always told lower at sunset or earlier if no-one on board, raise at sunrise or as soon as you rise.
 
[ QUOTE ]


I was always told lower at sunset or earlier if no-one on board,

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Doug, there is no wonder I am confused with the whole issue, how can you lower./raise if you're not there /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif


I must learn to post most direct questions as I am a bit slow on the uptake sometimes.

When in France/Holland/out side UK waters does the red ensign stay up all day and night while you are asleep on board ?



BTW
Thanks for the tip to always do an " own name search " when returning from a few days away /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
To be very proper and etiquetty you should lower the Red
Ensign at sunset, home or abroad, and raise it when you
get up which in Dougs case recently would be midday /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I came upon this today whilst browsing.

Under international treaty all vessels must fly their national ensign and a courtesy-ensign when in the other's waters. The legal meaning of the courtesy ensign is "I declare that my vessel complies in all respects with the relevant legislation of my flag state and I respect the local legislation of the country in whose waters I am".

I thought the legal meaning bit was interesting.
 
I fly mine purely for decoration. Its nailed to a pole and unless the wind blows it off, that's where it will stay.
 
It would appear then the legal requirement is to fly day and night while abroad and to break the local Etiquette guideline in not lowering at sunset as Northshore points out should be done.

It sort of contradicts its self or I could have failed to interpret the regs properly /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
Not sure about the overseas rule but in UK if you are not on board it shouldnt be flown at all

IMHO

Hence the raise and lower at sunrise/sunset but only when on board

Note to self
Make your replies clearer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Glad you did a search /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
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