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Old 27-08-2012, 23:35   #1
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Would You Ever Hide Your Ensign?

Well to start with let me say I am a Brit and proud of it. We live aboard and have been sailing around Europe for the last couple of years. We have the biggest ensign we can fit on our boat which is big enough to make a duvet cover for a bed,
I know there are many Americans on here who are equally proud of their country.
Having said that if you were sailing outside America is there anywhere you would feel unsafe flying the stars and stripes or would you ever hide it?
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Old 27-08-2012, 23:57   #2
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

When the weather gets really gross I pack it in. It's noisy flapping around in strong wind and the more streamlined the boat, the better.

If you're talking about piracy and dudes with guns, I don't really think the nationality matters. You're (probably) white with a yacht; they're not going to turn around because I've convinced them I'm Canadian and not American.
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Old 28-08-2012, 00:06   #3
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

I'll keep flying the Texas flag 'cause the bad guys are skeered of it!

It's the flag of Chuck Norris, and they don't wanna mess with him!


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Old 28-08-2012, 00:09   #4
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

We have flown our flag throughout Mexico and Central America without problems, but I would suspect it would be a different story in the middle east...

With that said, I don't know if hiding your ensign would do much good since your hailing port would give you away anyway.

I would be curious if anyone has had any first hand problems associated with an American flagged vessel?
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Old 28-08-2012, 00:16   #5
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

My answer is fairly simple....

Any place where i thought my countries flag would provoke a negative reaction, is not a place i would be going to anyway......
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Old 28-08-2012, 00:17   #6
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

i like to keep him busy on deck cos hes so pretty
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Old 28-08-2012, 00:20   #7
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

I ask the question because we have seen a few American flagged boats cruising around Europe and most fly their flag proudly. On the other hand there was one with a very small ensign who removed or folded it out of the way as they were paranoid at being a terrorist target.
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Old 28-08-2012, 00:28   #8
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeremiason View Post

I would be curious if anyone has had any first hand problems associated with an American flagged vessel?
Yep

They pay too much money for everyday items, some of which are actually free and hand out tips or gifts in lands where tipping and gifting is not customary.

Of course then the next guy coming through is now expected to do the same.

Flags?
Always been more trouble than they are worth, wrapping around shrouds, shredding etc.
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Old 28-08-2012, 00:44   #9
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

We fly the stars and Stripes proudly where ever we go, 'only positive responses, lot's of hellos and many curious questions here in Menorca, Spain. The flag is definitely a conversation starter.

We also fly it because it's required everywhere but the USA it seems.

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Old 28-08-2012, 00:58   #10
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

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Originally Posted by dsmastern View Post
I'll keep flying the Texas flag 'cause the bad guys are skeered of it!

It's the flag of Chuck Norris, and they don't wanna mess with him!


How many people get confused between the Chilean flag and the Texas flag??

Lots!! Especially those from one particular country.

Of course, US people should recognise the Texas flag, but outside the US and the Caribbean, it is not the same.

Many outside your country will recognise Chuck Norris on the screen, but they see your Texas flag and think "WOW, that looks like the Chilean flag! Maybe they have some good wine..."

Good luck in your international travels!
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Old 28-08-2012, 01:01   #11
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

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How many people get confused between the Chilean flag and the Texas flag??

Lots!! Especially those from one particular country.

Of course, US people should recognise the Texas flag, but outside the US and the Caribbean, it is not the same.

Many outside your country will recognise Chuck Norris on the screen, but they see your Texas flag and think "WOW, that looks like the Chilean flag! Maybe they have some good wine..."

Good luck in your international travels!
The difference is easy. With the Texan flag you can usually hear them shouting well before you ever see them.
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Old 28-08-2012, 01:16   #12
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

It is all much of a muchness. Most people around the world seem to be pretty much the same with the same concerns and worries and loves as everyone else.

The politicians and the media try to convince us all otherwise. If the US, Brits, Aussies and Kiwis bomb the hell out of some country, the citizens of that region still seem to understand the difference between citizens and governments. Lucky for most of us!

Until a few weeks ago, we had the Brit flag on the stern, the Chilean, Aussie and US flags on the port shroud and the French flag on the starboard spreader.

That is a total of 5 different flags and showed just how international we have become on a little boat with 4 people at the time.

Do we hide the ensign?? Of course not, but I do admit that it is quite small. The port side flags change in size depending on what is happening in terms of important national dates and which visitors are onboard. Usually we just show the ensign and the courtesy flag.

Of course YMMV!
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Old 28-08-2012, 07:12   #13
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

Ensign.... Where did I put that thing, maybe it blew off or somebody stole it.

I flew an ensign all the time I was Sailing Badger. It was Antiguan. If anyone noticed they didn't say anything.

Frimi has an ensign kept below. Last time I put one up. When I came back to the boat it was gone, so I only fly it when I'm on board.
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Old 28-08-2012, 07:44   #14
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Re: Would you ever hide your Ensign?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cat man do View Post
Yep

They pay too much money for everyday items, some of which are actually free and hand out tips or gifts in lands where tipping and gifting is not customary.

Of course then the next guy coming through is now expected to do the same.
Do you know the difference between an Ozzie and a Canoe???


...Canoes tip!
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Old 28-08-2012, 08:59   #15
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Re: Would You Ever Hide Your Ensign?

I think if I was a Brit I'd keep the old Union Jack under wraps in the Turks and Caicos right now. We've been flying the US flag to make sure the locals know we're NOT brits.
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