Flags

BogMonster · 13 August 2007, 18:14

Possibly a silly question but I don't recall seeing it anywhere....

Having now got a mast for the RIB (thanks Tony

) I have, among other things, gained a flag mast on the blunt end, which is currently empty.

So, the question is what flags are you entitled to display / or what are frowned upon, for example:

White ensign - not allowed I think, Navy only?
Red ensign? probably?
National flag i.e. Union Jack or in my case the Falklands blue ensign
Skull and crossbones quite fancy that

or would I get sunk by the Navy

oh and where's a good place to buy one mail order?

cheers

Stephen

peterb · 13 August 2007, 18:31

Red Ensign (plus a "yacht club" burgee)

No idea where you can get them online but any chandlers.

Limey Linda · 13 August 2007, 18:52

Depends on where your boat is registered. Has nothing to do with you personally. As you are registered in a British territory you are entitled to fly a red ensign ONLY. NOT A BLUE. YES IS WAS A SILLY QUESTION

Just google the subject.

Biggles · 13 August 2007, 19:12

Union Jack. denotes British Navy.

Maybe you could fight off the Argies on your own.

codprawn · 13 August 2007, 19:19

http://www.mrflag.com/index.php?doc=65&rev=65

Based in Swansea. Originally they were an old company that used to make all the banners for the Queen etc. Company went through so the staff set up on their own.

Sewn flags are more expensive but will last a lot longer than the printed ones.

Jeff · 13 August 2007, 19:24

These are good quality and excellent service

http://www.mrflag.com/p/4943/UKRedEnsign.html

I think technically you can only fly the red ensign if your vessel is UK registered ( ie Small Ships register for ribs) but don't thinkyou need to worry.

As a courtesy you may also wish to fly the country flag you are in ...

http://www.mrflag.com/p/1267/Falklan...nal_Flag_.html

... a bit big but they will probably make you one up .... 1/2 yd seems a good size

........ ah >> already spotted
Jeff

codprawn · 13 August 2007, 19:27

Love the Sheep - we have a Dragon so bahhh!!!

BogMonster · 14 August 2007, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Depends on where your boat is registered. Has nothing to do with you personally. As you are registered in a British territory you are entitled to fly a red ensign ONLY. NOT A BLUE. YES IS WAS A SILLY QUESTION

Just google the subject.

I'm not registered in any territory technically, because the boat isn't registered - so maybe that means you shouldn't fly a flag at all! Back to the skull and crossbones then, shiver me GRP and walk the tubes

I did Google it actually but I couldn't find anything definitive without spending hours ploughing through a million websites selling irrelevant flags!

I thought it was probably a red ensign though somebody here told me that was "merchant navy only" hence the question.

Thanks for the replies

BogMonster · 14 August 2007, 14:01

Due to the uncertainty I consulted the harbourmaster who advised:

"The correct flag is either a plain Red Ensign or by virtue of the Merchant Shipping (Falkland Islands Colours) Order 1998, a Red Ensign defaced with the Falkland Islands crest. You would probably prefer the latter as it shows the FI connection, but they come a bit more expensive!!

The Blue FI Ensign should properly only be used by FI Government or ships owned by or in Government service."

Bit of Googling and I found what I am looking for at http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fk.html - attached - distinctive but I suspect finding a RIB sized FI ensign will be a bit like finding rocking horse poo!

But I will persevere as it will be the only one on RIBnet I expect

springtide66 · 14 August 2007, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Depends on where your boat is registered. Has nothing to do with you personally. As you are registered in a British territory you are entitled to fly a red ensign ONLY. NOT A BLUE. YES IS WAS A SILLY QUESTION

Just google the subject.

Keep your hair on you stroopy yank!

BogMonster · 14 August 2007, 18:10

Blimey I have even found a half yard FI civil ensign for sale here, things are looking up

Just bought a tin of varnish for the mast and once that is done I will be in business

codprawn · 14 August 2007, 18:33

The Argies would love a Skull and Crossbones - might remind them of the last time one was flown near the Falklands..........

Limey Linda · 14 August 2007, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Due to the uncertainty I consulted the harbourmaster who advised:

"The correct flag is either a plain Red Ensign or by virtue of the Merchant Shipping (Falkland Islands Colours) Order 1998, a Red Ensign defaced with the Falkland Islands crest. You would probably prefer the latter as it shows the FI connection, but they come a bit more expensive!!

The Blue FI Ensign should properly only be used by FI Government or ships owned by or in Government service."

Bit of Googling and I found what I am looking for at http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/fk.html - attached - distinctive but I suspect finding a RIB sized FI ensign will be a bit like finding rocking horse poo!

But I will persevere as it will be the only one on RIBnet I expect

Hi Steven,
Good job on the research. The red Ensign would be totally appropriate as you have already discovered and should be available at a very reasonable price. A defaced red ensign is probably going to cost you an arm and a leg as it would have to be custom made. best of luck.
T.

Limey Linda · 14 August 2007, 18:46

Dear Mr. Springtide
Please PM me your address in Southampton so I can drop by and visit for a cuppa on the next visit to my home town. Steven L. is well used to my teasing so I think you are "butting your nose in" Please note: I accept apologies at no charge

Regards, T.

Limey Linda · 14 August 2007, 18:51

Well done Steven, how did you manage that? Those things have to more scarce than hen's teeth.

BogMonster · 14 August 2007, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Hi Steven,
Good job on the research. The red Ensign would be totally appropriate as you have already discovered and should be available at a very reasonable price. A defaced red ensign is probably going to cost you an arm and a leg as it would have to be custom made. best of luck.
T.

Already bought, £37.50 for a half yard size which wasn't cheap but about what I expected, seems reasonably well made so hopefully it will last a while though I think I will take it off when the boat is out of the water so it doesn't fade in our "Gas Mark 9" UV levels

I am also used to you spelling my name wrong

BogMonster · 14 August 2007, 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

The Argies would love a Skull and Crossbones - might remind them of the last time one was flown near the Falklands..........

Not sure it was actually flown here as it probably never came above the water but I seem to remember HMS Conqueror flew one as it sailed back into port on returning to the UK in 1982...

HMS Conqueror 1

ARA General Belgrano 0

Gotcha

mdt · 14 August 2007, 19:22

it was a dam good thing it was 1982 and Mrs T was about... you could only think of the PC lot getting them selfs in a right mess if that happend now a nuclear sub with the skull and crossbones flying ahhhh

PS: cool flag you got now...

Limey Linda · 14 August 2007, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Already bought, £37.50 for a half yard size which wasn't cheap but about what I expected, seems reasonably well made so hopefully it will last a while though I think I will take it off when the boat is out of the water so it doesn't fade in our "Gas Mark 9" UV levels

I am also used to you spelling my name wrong

Hi Steve
Don't be so picky, I will try harder
Good job on the flag.

codprawn · 14 August 2007, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Not sure it was actually flown here as it probably never came above the water but I seem to remember HMS Conqueror flew one as it sailed back into port on returning to the UK in 1982...

HMS Conqueror 1

ARA General Belgrano 0

Gotcha

Good point!!!

I remember that obnoxious Labour git Tam Dalyell constantly attacking the government about the sinking of the Belgrano - he kept harping on how it was steaming away at the time it was attacked. I saw a prog later where they interviewed the Argentinian Captain and he said he may have been steaming away but he was there purely to sink our ships!!!

In fairness Dalyell didn't change for anyone - he actually ranked Tony Blair at the bottom of the list of the 8 British PMs he had worked under!!!