Why didn’t LÉ Emer fly theWhite Ensign in city port?

DUP MP Gregory Campbell has questioned why the White Ensign of the Royal Navy wasn’t flown as a courtesy on the Irish Offshore Patrol Vessel, LÉ Emer, during its visit to Londonderry for the Return of Colmcille festival.
A Royal Navy Reserve colour party with the White Ensign.A Royal Navy Reserve colour party with the White Ensign.
A Royal Navy Reserve colour party with the White Ensign.

Mr Campbell said it was customary for foreign vessels to fly the flag - comprising the Union Flag and the Cross of St George - when aside in the United Kingdom.

The East Londonderry MLA told the Sentinel: “I was contacted by a constituent who said there was a ship berthed down the Foyle and that there is a protocol in place that when you are in the port of another nation you would normally have to fly the flag of that country.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Consequently, Mr Campbell contacted the Ports Minister Danny Kennedy about the matter.

He asked the Minister who was responsible for “the protocols on flags flown on ships, when naval ships from other nations are docked in ports in connection with events such as the Columcille Festival 2013.”

Mr Kennedy said: “The Royal Navy are able to offer advice on the flag protocols for naval ships from other nations when berthed in UK ports.”

According to the MoD’s standards, flags and colours protocol, foreign warships visiting the UK may, if they wish, fly a courtesy flag. The MoD says the correct flag for a warship should be the White Ensign - never the Union Flag.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Campbell asked if the Royal Navy offered advice to vessels berthed in Londonderry during the Return of Colmcille. Mr Kennedy replied: “I am not aware if the Royal Navy offered advice to naval vessels on this issue. As these matters lie outside my responsibility, the Royal Navy would not be required to inform me as a matter of course.”

A spokesperson for the Irish Navy told the Sentinel: “It is not the established custom for warships to fly the flag of the host nations navy when visiting another jurisdiction. Hence the white ensign was not flown.”