Why fly Red Ensign forward???

[Nick_H]

Agree the courtesy bit, I always have an appropriate courtesy flag when I enter a foreign port. I also see the importance of a vessel flying the flag under which it is registered. What I don't get is why Britain doesn't use it's national flag like every other country so it's immediately recognisable, and why we have different colours for someone who used to serve in the Navy, or is a member of a certain yacht club etc, when it makes no difference to the rights and priveleges they should be afforded.

It's not a big issue for me though, so i'm not taking on the role of championing the cause, I was just having a quiet day

 

[nonitoo]

Agree the courtesy bit, I always have an appropriate courtesy flag when I enter a foreign port. I also see the importance of a vessel flying the flag under which it is registered. What I don't get is why Britain doesn't use it's national flag like every other country so it's immediately recognisable, and why we have different colours for someone who used to serve in the Navy, or is a member of a certain yacht club etc, when it makes no difference to the rights and priveleges they should be afforded.

It's not a big issue for me though, so i'm not taking on the role of championing the cause, I was just having a quiet day

I'm with Nick on this one, courtesy flags are flown as required and my red duster at the stern. I've never felt the need to buy the right to wear a different ensign (warrant) even when I was a member of clubs where this was available.

I often fly a flag on the jackstaff when alongside, often a pennant I have been given or one I have bought (Paris Arsenal, for instance) but never when underway.

Not going to the barricades on it though, just feel a certain perplexity when I meet those for whom the ensign colour is a real matter for concern.

Tom

 

[Hurricane]

I thought that the courtesy flag was a bit more than just being courteous.
I thought that it is a statement that I respect and will abide by your laws and regulations.
May be wrong though.

 

[calamitys38]

Agree the courtesy bit, I always have an appropriate courtesy flag when I enter a foreign port. I also see the importance of a vessel flying the flag under which it is registered. What I don't get is why Britain doesn't use it's national flag like every other country so it's immediately recognisable, and why we have different colours for someone who used to serve in the Navy, or is a member of a certain yacht club etc, when it makes no difference to the rights and priveleges they should be afforded.

It's not a big issue for me though, so i'm not taking on the role of championing the cause, I was just having a quiet day

Flying a Red or Blue ensign does not confer any additional rights or priviliges. If you've earned the right to do so, why not is my philosphy. It's a bit like what car you drive. If you can afford to drive an Aston or BMW, you do so. It does not offer any additional rights or priviliges and nor does flying a blue ensign if you've earned that right.

It's a bit debateable to have earned the right by joining certain yacht clubs I admit, but if you are a serving member of the armed forces (or their respective reserve forces) then I would certainly suggest that you have earned the right to mark yourself out as such if you really want to.

Happy sailing
C38

 

[alant]

Nope, unless you are going astern !!

White Ensign aft, Union Flag forward.

Tom

The ONLY time it can then be called a Union JACK!

 

[macnorton]

Oh goody. An ensign thread on Mobo. Expect Scuttlebutt experts over here very soon.

As to the miscreants, their boats should be sunk at the earliest opportunity. Flying an ensign from the bow is against the very laws of humanity that separates us from the apes...probably.

They'll be riding bikes on pontoons next.

Hurumph.

Already been done!!!

 

[gravygraham]

I find the flag etiquette debate interesting. Personally I'd be happy to see it all go the same way as the short-lived 'Captain's Log' series MBM ran for a spell last year, the star of which epitomises the stuffy old school tie and funny-handshake types which keeps me a safe distance from my local yacht club.

My boat wears a (slightly tatty) red ensign because the manufacturers put up a mast, and because (strangely) the vessel appears naked without one. One day I'll sumon the courage to hoist a lonely upside-down Union Flag and motor into a strange port. Oh I can hear those boaty snobs coughing in their g'n't's already.

 

[stelican]

I find the flag etiquette debate interesting. Personally I'd be happy to see it all go the same way as the short-lived 'Captain's Log' series MBM ran for a spell last year, the star of which epitomises the stuffy old school tie and funny-handshake types which keeps me a safe distance from my local yacht club.

My boat wears a (slightly tatty) red ensign because the manufacturers put up a mast, and because (strangely) the vessel appears naked without one. One day I'll sumon the courage to hoist a lonely upside-down Union Flag and motor into a strange port. Oh I can hear those boaty snobs coughing in their g'n't's already.

Bravo

 

[Greg2]

I find the flag etiquette debate interesting. Personally I'd be happy to see it all go the same way as the short-lived 'Captain's Log' series MBM ran for a spell last year, the star of which epitomises the stuffy old school tie and funny-handshake types which keeps me a safe distance from my local yacht club.

My boat wears a (slightly tatty) red ensign because the manufacturers put up a mast, and because (strangely) the vessel appears naked without one. One day I'll sumon the courage to hoist a lonely upside-down Union Flag and motor into a strange port. Oh I can hear those boaty snobs coughing in their g'n't's already.

Not sure I go with the stereotypical view of yacht clubs etc. My experience of our yacht club is that whilst there are undoubtedly elements you describe there are also some great people with a shared interest in the sea and boats and the tradition can be a nice touch. Being ex-RN I do have a particular take on this but there is much to be proud of in our maritime history so why not celebrate it?

Oh, probably worth saying I don't think anyone would class me as a boaty snob.

 

[Searush]

I find the flag etiquette debate interesting. Personally I'd be happy to see it all go the same way as the short-lived 'Captain's Log' series MBM ran for a spell last year, the star of which epitomises the stuffy old school tie and funny-handshake types which keeps me a safe distance from my local yacht club.

My boat wears a (slightly tatty) red ensign because the manufacturers put up a mast, and because (strangely) the vessel appears naked without one. One day I'll sumon the courage to hoist a lonely upside-down Union Flag and motor into a strange port. Oh I can hear those boaty snobs coughing in their g'n't's already.

Of course I may be wrong, but that sounds like inverted snobbery to me & I think it does you a severe disservice. People are people. Some have views that are different that yours - so it goes. Live & let live.

I am a member of "Royal" yacht club, one of the oldest in the world. I am entitled to fly a defaced Blue ensign if I wish. And the reason I joined this club? - I was invited to a barbie & found them to be a really friendly group of people.

You could hardly call me a boaty snob, my boat is 37 years old (and looks it) I am a pensioner working part -time for a charity (and about to be made redundant for the second time in my life) and I was brought up in a rented terraced house near Liverpool. But I do like to follow the ettiquette rules that are associated with my right to a Royal warrant. It gives me a small sense of pride in another small achievement in my life. But you can fly a teatowel if you wish, or wear your underpants on your head & stuff pencils up your nose if it makes you happy. Each to his own.

Oh, and my preferred tipple is either a glass of Stout or a decent Highland or Island malt - but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy a G&T in the sun at anchor. But that's the trouble with stereo-types; no-one actually fits them!

 

[nonitoo]

My boat wears a (slightly tatty) red ensign because the manufacturers put up a mast, and because (strangely) the vessel appears naked without one. One day I'll sumon the courage to hoist a lonely upside-down Union Flag and motor into a strange port. Oh I can hear those boaty snobs coughing in their g'n't's already.

My personal view is that I dislike 'tatty' flags. I like to see clean and bright flags flown - makes the boat look better and gives the impression of an owner proud of his craft.

This usually means a fresh one each year (part of the annual maintenance list) and replacement if something happens to it during the year.

There is little worse looking than a faded and frayed ensign.

Tom

 

[mjf]

My personal view is that I dislike 'tatty' flags. I like to see clean and bright flags flown - makes the boat look better and gives the impression of an owner proud of his craft.

This usually means a fresh one each year (part of the annual maintenance list) and replacement if something happens to it during the year.

There is little worse looking than a faded and frayed ensign.

Tom

Agree - esp. if its flown from the wrong place as well

 

[oceanfroggie]

Who cares, our boats are mere play things, not naval vessels. This flag etiquette is a load of mumbo jumbo club house tie rubbish.

 

[nonitoo]

Who cares, our boats are mere play things, not naval vessels. This flag etiquette is a load of mumbo jumbo club house tie rubbish.

You don't , I do - c'est la vie et vive la difference


Tom

 

[oceanfroggie]

You don't , I do - c'est la vie et vive la difference

"la difference" ist sehr gut! Actually I tend to fly my ensign correctly, I just don't get fussed about what others do with theirs. Some ensign taliban seem to get very worked up.