Last modified: 2002-12-07 by ivan sache
Keywords: european union | civil ensign | stars: 12 (yellow) | canton: belgium | canton: italy | canton: netherlands |
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It has became more and more common to see ships hoisting what
could be called a 'European civil ensign', made of the
European Union flag with the national flag of
one of the member countries in canton.
These 'civil ensigns' have had until now no official status and
should not replace the national civil ensign.
They have been reported for Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Ivan Sache, 17 January 2001
The European 'civil ensign' must not be used alone on any ship! It
can be used for decoration, but it is not advisable to substitute it
for the ensign.
An ensign of a ship not only shows the nationality, but also shows
where the ship is insured! If an owner replaces the ensign by a
European 'ensign' he will loose all insurance for his ship.
That is fact in Germany, and I think it might be elsewhere. I
received that information from a ship insurance company.
Ralf Stelter (Archiv für Flaggenkunde), 7 January 2001
Belgian pleasure boats often hoist the 'European' civil ensign, made of the European Union ensign with the Belgian civil ensign in canton, with a white fimbriation.
![[European civil ensign]](../images/b/be~eun.gif)
by Ivan Sache
There is a variation, the ring of stars being sometimes centered on the whole field, and sometimes centered on the main field (excluding the canton), with a different aesthetical result.
![[European civil ensign 2]](../images/b/be~eun1.gif)
by Ivan Sache
Ivan Sache, 29 July 1999
by António Martins
![[Dutch European 'civil ensign']](../images/e/eun~nl.gif)
by Jarig Bakker
& António Martins