ShadowOfHarbringer
02.06.2021 12:07:02
All hail the purple parrot! [links]
See full version: The world; s strangest flags and why we love them
All hail the purple parrot! [links]
National flags are meant to distill the core values of a country. They don't always get it right but we love them all the same. Is your favourite amongst them?
National flag of Northern Marianas Islands (Shutterstock.com) more
The only flag in the world featuring a flaming Pétanque ball.
Because the maple leaf reminds me of maple syrup which in turn reminds me of PANCAKES - Alex Gregg. [links]
(b) they are not unloaded on Union territory.
In some instances – such as the UK – the maritime ensign is different from the national flag.
A UK flagged vessel must wear her ensign as required by the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, which includes when entering or leaving a foreign port and on demand. It is recommended that the ensign is worn at all times in daylight, especially when near to or in sight of land or another vessel. The Coastal State may also have legislation which mandates an ensign being worn at other times.
However, the onus in on the people onboard to seek authorisation to enter the port from the port authorities. The port authorities should then notify the nearest port designated as a border crossing point of the vessel’s arrival. [links]
The derogation states, “a pleasure boat coming from a third country may, exceptionally, enter a port which is not a border crossing point”. [links]
Within Europe, on a UK registered vessel, whether you need to fly the Q flag and contact customs and/or immigration will depend whether both your departure and arrival ports are within the EU and / or within the Schengen Area. more
New Zealand, after much discussion of whether the union jack represents a legacy of colonialism, has voted to keep it in the top left-hand corner of its own flag. But several other countries, states and territories continue to feature it.
Since 2013, Ascension Island has had its own flag, having previously flown the union flag alone on ceremonial occasions. The new design still incorporates it, but uses other symbols from the southern Atlantic British territory in its crest. These include three wideawake birds and two turtles. [links]
The best-known flag to do this is probably Australia's, in use since 1901, with a slight modification in 1908. The union jack is above the "seven-pointed Commonwealth star" and to the side of the Southern Cross, a constellation of five stars that can be easily seen in the southern hemisphere. The country's six state flags have union jacks too.
A yacht owned by an EU resident or corporate body has the right to free movement throughout the EU provided VAT has been paid on that boat in an EU country. Please note, however, that if you spend more than 6 months in some countries you may become subject to local regulations. It is also important to ensure that whenever sailing in the EU you carry evidence of VAT payment, such as the builder’s receipt or paid invoice or a VAT certificate which some EU States provide. Alternatively, you must keep on board the document(s) issued by Customs or other relevant authority stating the reason for any exemption.
Some customs authorities may be prepared to look at the documentation available (and therefore any available receipts or log books should be kept) and may issue a letter of comfort that they yacht is considered by them as VAT paid. However, this is unusual and not a practice that is followed in the UK. In any event, such a letter is not proof that VAT is deemed paid. In respect of yachts build before 1 January 1985 and in the EU at midnight on 31 December 1992 such documentation and requests for a letter of comfort should be submitted to the customs authority in the country where the yacht was on 31 December 1992.
All yachts built in or brought into the EU on or after 1 January 1985 must be able to prove their VAT paid status. A boat built before this date is deemed to have VAT paid status if it was in private ownership and within the EU at midnight on 31 December 1992. Proof of this may be required by the local customs and can be difficult to provide as log books, marina receipts or invoices going back that far have often been lost or destroyed or simply not passed on as ownership has changed hands. If documentary evidence of the location of the vessel on 31 December 1992 cannot be provided you should provide whatever documents you have so that the local customs may form a view as to the location of the boat based on the documents you do have. Some sales have fallen through because such information cannot be provided and a potential buyer has an increased risk of being stopped and fined for a not having a VAT paid boat. [links]