Alway Swilby Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Just had a narrowboat go past us flying a white ensign. Can anyone fly whatever flag they like or are there rules about such things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Lola Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (online) under which it is a criminal offence to fly a White Ensign when not entitled. Not sure if this has been repealed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Just had a narrowboat go past us flying a white ensign. Can anyone fly whatever flag they like or are there rules about such things? My first 3 liveaboards all flew them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alway Swilby Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (online) under which it is a criminal offence to fly a White Ensign when not entitled. Not sure if this has been repealed. What entitles you to fly a White Ensign? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 What entitles you to fly a White Ensign? Generaly speaking you need a boat with a big gun stuck at the front. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Lola Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Only vessels of the Royal Navy or the Royal Yacht Squadron (plus the Trinity House vessel "Patricia" when escorting the Sovereign) are allowed to fly the white ensign at sea or in harbour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alway Swilby Posted December 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Only vessels of the Royal Navy or the Royal Yacht Squadron (plus the Trinity House vessel "Patricia" when escorting the Sovereign) are allowed to fly the white ensign at sea or in harbour. What about on the Macclesfield Canal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mross Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I don't think it proper to fly any flag on a narrowboat except a small burgee. And that's a bit dodgy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NB Lola Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) Lol, how many a) know the act and b.) can be arsed to report if c) they know who to contact who d) could be arsed to find the alleged offender? Edited December 4, 2016 by NB Lola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 (edited) What about on the Macclesfield Canal? There are some RN canal boats around some berthed at Calcutt Also got a niggle Sea Cadets can fly the Ensign as well Edited December 4, 2016 by Geo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Ambrose Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Why not fly the red duster, you're entitled to fly that. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 The various Merchant Shipping Acts state what can be 'worn' (If the flag is at the back of the boat - and on the rudder post, which doubles as an Ensign staff, the flag is 'worn' - dunno why...). Although contentious, the Acts also apply to inland waters, so in theory a naval officer or a n officer of HM Customs could seize the flag - but no more. That applies to the Macc... There never has been a seizure of a flag on the non tidal inland waterways - so I wouldn't bother to be worried. Indeed flying / wearing a flag / burgee/ pennant adds colour to the scenery - so please do... I get fed up with everyone on the Thames wearing a Red ensign - so I wear all sorts other than a red - sometimes contentious, but it engages folks in conversation - which is my object... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Why not fly the red duster, you're entitled to fly that. Phil There is a great book Titled " The red duster at war " I don't think it proper to fly any flag on a narrowboat except a small burgee. And that's a bit dodgy. I agree, I hate any form of flag on narrowboats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 There are some RN canal boats around some berthed at Calcutt Also got a niggle Sea Cadets can fly the Ensign as well The Navy boats based at Calcutt are basically hire boats for Navy and ex-Navy personel to hire for holiday purposes. They are not operational Navy boats, and do not fly the white ensign, or any other flag for that matter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mross Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Here's the RYA link. http://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge-advice/regulations/Pages/flag-etiquette.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain_S Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Although I'm never sure if the Royal Yacht Squadron entitlement goes with the member or the boat .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 The Navy boats based at Calcutt are basically hire boats for Navy and ex-Navy personel to hire for holiday purposes. They are not operational Navy boats, and do not fly the white ensign, or any other flag for that matter. I am under the impression they are naval owned from what Roger told me. They are or were not owned by Calcutt only serviced and maintained them. As to flying the Ensign some of the users may not agree with you, have seen them flying it. But hey who is going to argue with the Navy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Although I'm never sure if the Royal Yacht Squadron entitlement goes with the member or the boat .... Quite an exclusive club the Royal Yacht Squadron. Last time I spoke to a member flying the white ensign was in Tobermory: the yacht was a rather large and particularly fine vessel and he had a chap to drive it up there for him. He himself had just popped up from the City for a couple of days. There won't be any of those on the canals and there won't be any RN vessels either, so any you see flying the White Ensign are scoundrels who should prepare to be boarded. Having said that, I suspect that any officer entitled to do so is likely to have better things to be doing. Doesn't stop the non-entitled fly-ee being a scurvy dog though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bewildered Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Fun with Flags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mross Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 If you want to fly a flag go ahead, but please renew it before it gets tatty or faded. Ideally take it indoors every evening as the sun sets. It's very sad to see a neglected flag and it is a breach of good flag etiquette. War veterans will be hurt if you don't respect the flag they fought for. I would only fly one to annoy the French are they are few and far between where I am. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I am under the impression they are naval owned from what Roger told me. They are or were not owned by Calcutt only serviced and maintained them.I believe that's correct. They are quite appropriately called the Nelson Portsmouth fleet. I think they have three boats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bizzard Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 Be safe, just fly the Jolly Codger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I believe that's correct. They are quite appropriately called the Nelson Portsmouth fleet. I think they have three boats. I thought four but it is a while since I have been there, four years I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Dog Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I believe that's correct. They are quite appropriately called the Nelson Portsmouth fleet. I think they have three boats. HMS Nelson do have boats there, but there are a couple of other RN boats on the system under other establishments too. Not strictly Navy owned, but rather a sort of a charitable trust arrangement. Bookable for R&R purposes firstly, then available for family holidays. I spent many a happy week on the canal in those vessels in years gone by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted December 4, 2016 Report Share Posted December 4, 2016 I believe that's correct. They are quite appropriately called the Nelson Portsmouth fleet. I think they have three boats. You are correct but they rarely fly an ensign Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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