Flying the Flag Afloat

Along with most British citizens we are proud of our National flag.  Unlike our American cousins, we British have a more understated attitude to the Union Flag witnessed by our not flying it from every building and home in the land.  Anyone who has travelled in the USA will know how many Stars'n'Stripes can be seen flying from just about anywhere it can be attached.  Moreover, in the US there are strictly enforced laws around the use and display of Old Glory including flying it during the hours of darkness and how it should be raised and lowered.  In the UK we are a little more relaxed about such matters although when it comes to the pomp and circumstance of ceremonies involving the Union Jack, we British lead the world.  There is some doubt about the legal standing of the Union Flag as the Nation's flag probably due to our country's lack of a written constitution and that, originally, the flag was conceived as a sovereign's union flag rather than a national flag. I would defer to our constitutional experts to explain that issue.  Nonetheless, our flag's design is iconic and recognised the world over.  The design comprises the Cross of St Andrew counterchanged with the Cross of St Patrick (the counterchange of saltires) with the Cross of St George overall; a design that dates from 1801.  The counterchange of St Andrew's and St Patrick's crosses gives a slight offset leading to lack of symmetry in the flag's design.  This, in turn, means there is a right and wrong way up to fly the flag.  The illustration on the left below indicates the correct way up assuming the flag hoist is to the left while the illustration on the right indicates the incorrect way.

Correct way up

Upside down!

                      
It is idiomatic these days for the terms Flag and Jack to be interchangeable without causing too much controversy.  It is thought the term Jack came about because the Royal Navy at the time of King George III flew the flag from the jackstaff at the bow of their ships.  It was at the same time King George proclaimed the flag could only be flown at sea from Royal vessels or vessels of the Royal Navy.  Today the Union Jack is flown from the jackstaff of commissioned HM Ships, and Army and RAF vessels when at anchor or alongside.  The Union Jack is only flown from a ship underway when she is dressed for a special occasion.  The flag can be flown from the masthead when a sovereign or Admiral of the Fleet is onboard and flown from the yardarm when a Court Marshall is in progress.  Otherwise RN ships will fly the White Ensign (below left).  No civilian or merchant vessel is permitted to fly the Union Jack in any circumstances.  For these vessels there is the Red Ensign (below right).   A Blue Ensign is available for certain organisations.  Each variant of ensign includes a Union Flag.

RN White Ensign

Red Ensign

                   
So where is this piece leading?  A pedant might say that the law regarding flying the Union Jack from a vessel applies only to those at sea and does not affect inland waterways craft.  That may be correct and many boaters fly a Union Jack somewhere on their boat. Does it matter?  Probably not although I am not qualified to comment (anyone familiar enough with maritime/waterways law to comment?).  However, if you are a boater who flies the Union Jack from your vessel, please do ensure you fly it the right way up!