The New Zealand Red Ensign with the Union Flag in the first quarter, and the Southern Cross, represented by four five-pointed white stars featured in the fly became the official flag in New Zealand for merchant vessels in 1901. [15] Previously a plain red ensign was used. Northern Lighthouse Commissioner's Flag". Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 24 October 2006 . Retrieved 20 February 2010.

At federation, Australia was not an independent country, but a dominion of the British empire. Australian citizenship did not exist until 1948, and the UK parliament could theoretically pass laws governing Australia until 1986. If you are organising a flag-hoisting ceremony, you could consider involving local dignitaries, Merchant Navy veterans, Sea Cadets, etc. This does not have to be on Merchant Navy Day – you may prefer to schedule your event during the week or the weekend of 2-3 September. The Red Ensign may be freely flown ashore anywhere in the UK at any time of the year. In September 2016 the UK Government introduced the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service. [24] The medal is awarded:Scotland (pre-1707) [ edit ] The Scottish Red Ensign, flown by ships of the Royal Scots Navy before it was merged into the British Royal Navy in 1707 Flag etiquette [ edit ] USS Chesapeake flying the Stars and Stripes below the White Ensign after her capture by HMS Shannon Despite maintaining its dominant position for many decades, the decline of the British Empire, the rise of the use of the flag of convenience, and foreign competition led to the decline of the merchant fleet. For example, in 1939 the Merchant Navy was the largest in the world with 33% of total tonnage. [14] By 2012, the Merchant Navy – while still remaining one of the largest in the world – held only 3% of total tonnage. [15] The Sea Dominies: The Story of Leith Nautical College, 1855–1987. London: Board of Governors of Leith Nautical College. 1987. ISBN 978-0-9512408-0-9. What do you see in your town on merchant navy day? Do public buildings fly the Red Ensign? Is there a service or ceremony? I'd love to know what goes on in other cities,' he said.

It is the first state award for meritorious service in the history of the Merchant Navy. [25] Recipients must be nominated by someone other than themselves, with at least two written letters of support and are normally required to have completed 20 years service in the Merchant Navy (although in exceptional circumstances it may be less). [26] Ranks [ edit ] British Merchant Navy Officers Ranks and Rank Badges In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, maritime education expanded to train merchant navy officers. For example, in 1855 Leith Nautical College provided training for seafarers in Scotland. [3] [4] Other maritime colleges developed in this period included the South Tyneside Marine and Technical College, founded 1861 (now the South Tyneside College) and the Southampton School of Navigation, 1902 (now the Warsash Maritime School). [5] Medals and awards [ edit ] Authority to wear the British War Medal (and ribbon) and the Mercantile Marine Medal (and clasp, ribbon) issued to Minnie Mason for her work on English Channel ferries throughout World War I Here at Jimmy Green Marine, we frequently encounter questions about who can fly the Red Ensign and where exactly the Red Ensign should be hoisted on a boat. Whether you are setting sail for the very first time, or simply want to dial in on the details of correct flag etiquette, you have come to the right place! Today, our goal is to shed light on any element of mystery that you may be experiencing around the Red Ensign. From here on in, you can hit the open water with confidence, knowing that you have side-stepped any Red Ensign blunders! What is the red ensign? The Blue Ensign (dark blue field with the Union Flag in the canton) undefaced is worn by masters of vessels in possession of a warrant issued by the Director of Naval Reserves, and by the members of certain yacht clubs. Such warrants are issued to officers in the active or retired lists of the Royal Naval Reserve and the maritime reserve forces of other Commonwealth realms and territories. The master must be of the rank of lieutenant RN or above, and fishing vessels must be crewed by at least four other Royal Naval reservists or pensioners. The Ensign of the Sea Cadet Corps is a blue ensign defaced by the SCC badge. Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defence, [2] officers of the Sea Cadet Corps hold their ranks as (SCC) RNR on a 'nominal honorific' basis, and are included on the Navy List as a courtesy (though they are not commissioned, but 'appointed' within the Corps).While the movement has no single leader or central doctrine, SovCits believe that by reciting certain phrases, such as “ I am a natural living being” or “ I do not consent”, they can lawfully avoid any obligation to obey laws and regulations.