What is a Defaced Blue Ensign?

All vessels should display the national maritime flag corresponding to the nationality of the owner. A British vessel would normally fly the Red Ensign.

However, if both you and your vessel are eligible you can apply to your yacht club to fly the club’s Defaced Blue Ensign instead of the Red Ensign.

The Blue Ensign is used by certain organisations or territories associated or formerly associated with the UK. It can be plain or defaced (altered) with a badge or other emblem. The Defaced Blue Ensign is the ensign of UK government departments and public bodies (for example, British Antarctic Survey, Border Force or HM Coastguard) and a select number of yacht clubs.

Believe it or not, it’s actually an offence carrying a £1,000 fine to hoist a flag without a permit from the Queen or the Secretary of State for Defence! Among the prohibited flags are the Union Flag, the White Ensign, the Blue Ensign (plain or defaced) and the Red Ensign with any defacement.

The only time a yacht can wear a special ensign is therefore:

Under a warrant issued to the yacht owner by the Secretary of State for Defence prior to April 1st 1985, or:

Under a permit issued to a yacht owner by a yacht club from 1st April 1985.

There are only 42 yacht clubs in the UK whose members are permitted to fly the Defaced Blue Ensign. It’s considered something of an honour and privilege. Ned belongs to one of these clubs: The Royal Welsh Yacht Club (RWYC), established in 1847.