Blue Ensign Permits

BLUE ENSIGN PERMITS

By virtue of a Warrant from the Secretary of State for Defence and the seniority of the Club, the Flag Officers of the REYC can issue permits to members of the Club authorising them to fly the undefaced Blue Ensign on their own yachts.

The system for the issuing of Blue Ensign permits by eligible yacht clubs was changed by the MOD in the mid-1990s. Permits are now valid for up to 5 years but cannot be issued beyond the expiry date of Part 1 or Part 3 registration. For a new permit, or to renew an existing permit, please contact the Membership Secretary (membership@sappersailing.org).

The Membership Secretary will require the following details: your yacht's name; owners' names and an in-date copy of the yacht's registration certificate, together with the address to which you would like the permit sent. The Club charges a £15 fee for provision/renewal of a permit and this charge will be taken via a GoCardless direct debit at the time of permit despatch.

Please note, the vessel must be over 7m to qualify.

Permit holders should apply for a renewal in good time before the expiry of their current permit. If no new permit is in force a blue ensign may not be flown, and a blue ensign may anyway not be flown unless the permit is on board and the permit holder is in effective control of the vessel.

Permit holders are required to abide by the rules shown on the reverse of their permit, including the requirement for their presence on board when the Blue Ensign is flown, along with the rules about commercial charter and the requirement to surrender the permit if the yacht is no longer owned by the permit holder. The REYC is privileged to be an exempt yacht club under the Part 1 British Registration marking regulations that state that the vessel's Port of Registry must be permanently marked on its stern. This exemption applies to yachts registered under the Part 1 Merchant Shipping regulations, not under Part 3 on the Small Ships Register. Members requiring further details of this exemption should contact the Membership Secretary.

Last updated 22:49 on 11 December 2023