One Man, One Boat, 4000 Miles!!!

Tropic 4 Cancer Trans Atlantic challenge is an expedition to sail single-handed 4000 miles across the Atlantic, from the western seaboard of Africa to Antigua. The route follows a defined course along the Tropic of Cancer, which is a circle of latitude running around the Earth at approximately 23 degrees north, and which marks the most northerly position at which the sun may appear directly overhead. Find Out More

La Gomera Update 4 – Etiquette & Esperanto

Posted on November 6th, 2013

Red EnsignHaskapa is berthed with other small yachts on the outer edge of the marina, but still occupies a fairly prominent position where tourists, passers-by and other ‘yotties’ can see her. As a result, each day there is a steady stream of people who wander around to look at the boat and to ask about Tropic4Cancer.

Invariably, unless the visitor is German or Nordic (and therefore speaks English), the conversation takes place in Franglais or Spinglés (or a combination of both with some other languages added in!) with frenetic gesturing to navigate through both parties’s limited vocabulary. This tends to limit the range of conversations, which is probably a good thing!!

Misguidedly for all concerned, when in conversation with a group of French yotties we strayed into the tricky subject of flag etiquette on British vessels!! They wanted to know why the flag on the back of Haskapa is the Red Ensign. This is a difficult thing to explain in English, so I am still puzzled why I chose to pursue this in detail with this particular audience rather than either making something up, or pretending I hadn’t understood the question!!

The lesson on ‘l’histoire de maritime anglaise’ started with the explanation that in the past, the Royal Navy had three Squadrons (Fleets) – Red, White & Blue. Ships flew the colour of ensign corresponding to the squadron to which they were attached. As other non naval ships also flew a Red Ensign, the Admiralty were keen to remove any ambiguity, so decided that all Royal Navy vessels should fly the White Ensign.

Given the warm sun and general entente cordiale, I opted not to share with them the reason behind the selection of White rather than Red, which had historically been the senior ensign. Nelson had been the Rear Admiral of the White Squadron at the time of his death, hence the Admiralty decision, and dredging up the whole ‘Nelson winning the Battle of Trafalgar against the French’ thing just didn’t seem right!

Anyway, we got there in the end, which in simple terms is:

The White Ensign used by the Royal Navy.

The Blue Ensign used under Admiralty warrant by certain officers and clubs.

The Red Ensign used by civilian vessels.

I think they understood, but anyone ever meets a French sailor who tells a slightly different version of this, I apologise!!!