White Ensigns

[oldfrank]

Can someone please explain to me, in simple terms that an old country boy can understand, how a Brooke Marine launch gets to be entitled is permitted to wear a white ensign? (see Classic Boat March 2006 edition. p77 'Finding Solace' - and repeated in Stanley & Thomas ad.

Perhaps I missed the point but expressions such as "in effective control" spring to mind.

Old Frank

 

[harvey]

Surely only if the skipper is a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron.....?

 

[oldfrank]

The Royal Navy obviously flies a white ensign - but surely that must lapse when RN disposes.

I recall that RYS only issued warrants for boats over a certain size - and they can only be worn when the owner/warrant holder "is in effective control" - delivery crews for an RYS member for example would usually wear red.

I think the Royal Cork had a white ensign before Eire became independent. One or two clubs decided they prefered white in about the 1880s (Royal Thames, Royal Norfolk & Suffolk and several others) and they were all served with notices by the Admiralty under the Merchant Shipping Acts. Sounds petty but the fine was up to £1,000 per occasion in those days if you were caught flying an unapproved ensign.

Maybe the editorial staff know better?

Old Frank

 

[Mirelle]

I fancy that a tender to a privileged yacht is entitled to fly the same ensign as the parent yacht. But I stand to be corrected.

 

[oldfrank]

I am sure you're correct. Doesn't get us any closer to how the vendors claim this boat is permitted of it's own right to wear white!
Old Frank