Union Jack Graphics on a Boat

[thomshap]

'My friend' yes, my friend, wants to put huge union jacks down the sides of his boat for the jubilee, someone has pointed out that you're not meant to use the union jack unless it's on an ensign, as it's quite a big boat and it will be noticed - would it be shunned upon or would it be acceptable?

 

[Twister_Ken]

OK, so it's not a boat, but...

 

[RupertW]

There's a sailing yacht a few berths down from us who flies the Union Jack at the stern as his ensign. I do wonder whether he is doing the right thing.

 

[nathanlee]

'My friend' yes, my friend, wants to put huge union jacks down the sides of his boat for the jubilee, someone has pointed out that you're not meant to use the union jack unless it's on an ensign, as it's quite a big boat and it will be noticed - would it be shunned upon or would it be acceptable?

Union flag, Sir, union flag.

Would be slightly larger than jack flag if it were up side his hull.

 

[dleroc]

Go for it. Anyone / organisation who trys to prosecute will be laughed out of court!

 

[Tranona]

So long as it looks as good as the union flag dressed model in the paper today, should be OK.

 

[Appledore]

http://i.thelocalpeople.co.uk/275681/Article/images/12143361/2555275.png

Uniton Inn, Saltash - almost boaty

 

[little_roundtop]

The Flag Institute here describes how the Union Flag should be represented on vehicles (which of course includes boats). So it's clearly acceptable.

In any case, as the Flag Institute points out, there is no Flag Act in the UK. The use of the Union Flag is governed only by custom and use. So whilst it should not be flown from cruising yachts at sea, for example, doing so is not an offence.

 

[thomshap]

Here's what it;s going to look like and it will be going up the Thames as part of the queens thingy on the 3rd of June.

 

[prv]

In any case, as the Flag Institute points out, there is no Flag Act in the UK. The use of the Union Flag is governed only by custom and use. So whilst it should not be flown from cruising yachts at sea, for example, doing so is not an offence.

I think the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 has something to say about it.

Personally I can't see any problem with wrapping a boat with a Union Jack graphic for the occasion. Done well it could look very good. Flag rules / customs only apply to flags, not vinyl wrapping.

(Yes, "Union Jack". The Admiralty said so in 1902, and Parliament in 1908. The Flag Institute says so today.)

Pete

 

[paul.norton]

A British Rail Class 47 diesel locomotive had huge Union Flags painted on the sides for the Queen's Silver Jubilee (Sorry can't find any photos)

 

[Seajet]

Break Out The Union Flags !

Deploy the Union Flags and the Battle Ensign !

The real Commander in the incident, Kerrans, was on board ( actually Amethysts' sister ship Magpie, surely Amethyst should have been in a museum now, her engines were badly damaged in the escape run - " Damage Acceptable ! "... ) he, Kerrans was Naval Advisor during the filming; when a planted charge blew a hole in the hull he took over from the actors...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNehtC3-l0o

 

[DogWatch]

'My friend' yes, my friend, wants to put huge union jacks down the sides of his boat for the jubilee, someone has pointed out that you're not meant to use the union jack unless it's on an ensign, as it's quite a big boat and it will be noticed - would it be shunned upon or would it be acceptable?

Is there another nation on the planet so messed up and confused about their national flag as us?

 

[DogWatch]

The Flag Institute ...... should be represented on vehicles...... acceptable.

..... Flag Act in the UK...... should not be flown

aaaaarrrrgggghhhhhh!


When I was a kid I had a union JACK bedspread, should I have a criminal record lol lol

which went with me later to Le Mans as double duvet sized union jack flag which we draped over the tent.... some git stole it

 

[nimbusgb]

According to the Flag Institute, the vexillological organisation for the United Kingdom, "the national flag of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories is the Union Flag, which may also be called the Union Jack."

Jack Jack Jack Jack so .....there!!!!!

 

[prv]

Is there another nation on the planet so messed up and confused about their national flag as us?

Yes, the USA. They make all their kids swear allegiance to it (note, to the flag itself, not the country or people it represents) every weekday morning. They also get quite precious about handling or folding it correctly. We once swapped Stavros's huge squash-court-sized harbour ensign for the small sea ensign in a strong breeze, a process involving several people fielding it and bundling it to the deck to gain control before folding it properly. An American on my watch was, well, not exactly horrified, but definitely surprised. Would never have happened on a US ship, he said.

Pete

 

[thomshap]

Is there another nation on the planet so messed up and confused about their national flag as us?

Doubt it, took me ages to re draw the other side so it was the right way up - people get very offended about an up side down flag.

 

[affinite]

Looks great

Here's what it;s going to look like and it will be going up the Thames as part of the queens thingy on the 3rd of June.

Go for it

 

[dylanwinter]

nice

Here's what it;s going to look like and it will be going up the Thames as part of the queens thingy on the 3rd of June.

very nice

one great looking boat made even better by wonderful graphics

a welcome addition to any water pageant

Dylan

 

[andygc]

So whilst it should not be flown from cruising yachts at sea, for example, doing so is not an offence.

How many ensign threads are there on this forum? Yes it is.

However, a Union Flag/Jack graphic on the side of a boat is not a flag, so it cannot be hoisted, and the offence under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 is hoisting improper colours (Section 4), so why should anybody object?