The red ensign in peril: does Britain need a bigger Navy?

To The Times

It is an outrage that Iran has seized a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. International law prohibits any interference with foreign vessels in passage through straits. But the same rule applies equally to Iranian tankers in passage through the Strait of Gibraltar. Only the UN Security Council can authorise such an arrest at sea, not the EU. European sanctions on Syria are relevant only to vessels flagged in EU states. They do not entitle us to arrest foreign vessels of any other nationality. For over two centuries the UK has upheld freedom of navigation at sea, and the right of all ships to pass unhindered through international straits. Why do we appear to have abandoned that cardinal principle? Can we be surprised at Iran’s response?

Alan Boyle, emeritus professor of international law, University of Edinburgh

To The Times

Each time an incident like this occurs, retired admirals demand a bigger Navy. This is absurd. The size of the Britishowned or registered cargo fleet is far too large to be closely protected by a Navy many times the present size. Naval protection for all our cargo fleet is like offering us all personal-protection police officers. Even if the Navy had been closer, would it have started a shooting war to prevent the boarding of a British vessel? Within range of the Iranian air force? Iran and Syria need diplomacy to solve our problems with them, not gunboats.

Peter West, London

To The Times

John Major’s government created an offshore UK register that allowed shipowners worldwide to fly the red ensign and register their vessels in a UK port. From a decline, the number of UK-registered vessels grew considerably as tax concessions were offered to foreign owners. British officers and masters were no longer mandatory and UK ratings’ jobs virtually disappeared overnight.

Many ships flying the red ensign are today captained and officered by Russians and others. These ships have no other link to the UK – as is the case with the captured Stena Impero – than a registration certificate.

The idea that Britain should support a Navy capable of guarding a large fleet of what are, in effect, flag of convenience, foreign-owned ships flying the red duster in any of the world’s scattered shipping lanes is nonsense. Keeping sea lanes open for freedom of passage is an international responsibility for all trading nations and it requires an international response. Peter Adams, master mariner, Southwell, Nottinghamshire