so what's with the Red Ensign?

Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

Thought so. Like all these mouthing off types, too scared to reveal his identity /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

I dont reveal my personal details on the internet for obvious reasons. Too many nutters around However I can inform you that I have sailed present boat during the last 20years (40ft sloop) from Aussie to Europe/Caribbean and back to Med where we are based for this winter, (Greece). I am an expat Scot and proud of my country, There is a terrible tendency on these forums to denounce anyone who knocks the establishment. I am returning to Latts and Atts, (You guys need to get a life) Byeeeeeeeee
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

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I dont reveal my personal details on the internet for obvious reasons.

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Yes, quite obvious.

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expat Scot

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So after all that, deserted his country.

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Too many nutters around

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That's for sure

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Byeeeeeeeee

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and dont bother coming back
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

I will also defend your righ to say what you want, but if youare so enamoured with the Scots' way opf life and Scotland, why are you in the eastern meddy? I'll be back on the west coast next year!
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

As someone who has spent half his working life as an expat (and now is'nt) I would have to say that there is a definite tendancy for many people (not just us Scots) to have a bullish and blinkered (unrealistic?) attitude to our homeland.

Now when you're here and looking out the window at the pissing rain and having spent most of the summer on the west coast sailing with gritted teeth through minor gales it lacks the rosy tint.

Saw a nice job going in Jamaica..................
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

That's me too, have spent the last 35 years as an expat and I'm still an expat! previous to that I was in the army, so still basically an expat.
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

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there is a definite tendancy for many people (not just us Scots) to have a bullish and blinkered (unrealistic?) attitude to our homeland.

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Oooops, I did not know what I started with this thread; a new civil war?

Can I please add MHO as an outsider (I am Scandinavian): you take this ensign business way too seriously. Why don't you just all fly the Union Jack and concentrate your effort on sailing instead? Not what is flying off your boat.

I am presently in an anchorage with three British boats around me. One has a blue ensign and is flying a club flag and the Welsh flag from the port spreader. The second has a red ensign with the English (St George??) flag under the port spreader. The third shows the EU flag with the Scottish flag inserted in the upper left corner. No flag on the port spreader. What a mess. Most other countries just flies their national flag. What is so difficult with that for you guys??
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

The EU flag, I wont call it an ensign, because it isnt, is illegal on a british boat, the red is legal; as is the blue.
We like our ensigns, we like to let people know we are from different parts of the UK by flying our country, county, flag from the port spreader, we also sometimes fly another coutries flags from our port sporeader, because we may have multiple nationalities crewing on our boats and they like to have their own flag flying, what is wrong with that?
I fly a defaced blue, because the club of which I am a member allows me to do so, again what is wrong with that?
Because you have no ensign tradition? We have, I dont find it a problem, do you?.
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

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Because you have no ensign tradition? We have, I dont find it a problem, do you?.

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Sorry, but your ensign history knowledge IMHO seems to be somewhat limited. There is a very elaborate ensign tradition in Scandinavia, going back about 1200 years. There is also a very complicated naval ensign tactic employed over about the same time as when your ensigns started to be developed about 200 years ago. We hold that tradition and history very close to our hearts. But we don't think those complicated signs have any bearing on our present yachting life. It is history. We have moved on. Any problem with that?
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

Yes! I do have a problem with that! If you wish to ignore/cast aside your traditions, that is up to you, but do not expect me to cast aside my traditions and history because you want to move on! and you obviously do not hold your traditions close to your heart, or you wouldnt ignore them you would try to preserve them!
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

It seems like you have not read or understood my response. I did NOT say that we have "cast aside" or "ignored" our traditions. I just said that we have found that we can revere our history while at the same time having more useful modern ensign practices. Obviously, you have not been able to do that. I still do not understand why.
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

Well, BrendanS; that is a good point. But isn't law (with some time lapse) just what the populace want? I don't think you are trying to tell me that there is a lot of push in the yachting community for a more modern ensign practice but 'Westminster' is stalling you, are you?
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

Most people are quite happy with the Red Ensign, in fact when the EU were runmoured to be making merchant ships remove them and fly EU flag, there was uproar. Can't really see what the problem is, or why you are making such a fuss about it.
 
Re: so what\'s with the Red Ensign?

BrendanS, good point again. This thread has been winding back and forth as threads tend to do. You force us back to the core point, IMHO: why do British boats abroad tend to show such a staggering mess of different ensigns/burgees/flags and standards for when, where and how to fly them?

I do understand the UK maritime law regarding ensigns; I have been a resident of the UK. However, many of the UK boats I observe do not even come close to adhering to this law. Most (if not all) other maritime countries tend to have rules that are followed.
 
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