Having been crewing and cruising in various boats over recent years I'm thinking of buying my own. One of my friends mentioned that as I went on the RN Reserve retrired list some years ago I should be eligible to fly the blue ensign, a thought which had never crossed my mind till he came up with it.

I've tried writing and phoning MoD Navy, no reply to letters and on the phone I get the run around (I suspect they don't know!). 

Does anyone have any idea of the rules, or possibly where in MoD I might write or phone to get some sense on this?

Thanks

Kelland 

Im no expert but this may help:

http://www.sea-dreamer.com/page.asp?pagename=ensign - http://www.sea-dreamer.com/page.asp?pagename=ensign

The Blue Ensign undefaced is worn 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.

Then read this:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/778195/page/7/fpart/1/vc/1 - http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/778195/p age/7/fpart/1/vc/1