Talk:Commissioning pennant

Vessels of British Government HM Customs and Excise vessels certainly used to fly commissioning pennants, apparently to the annoyance of the RN. Commanders of such vessels also have commissions from the Crown, and wield powers that emanate from Charles II (predating RN legislation). Customs Officers have greater powers than those of commissioned naval officers in home waters, and greater powers than the police on land.

Following is a story from King’s Cutters – The Revenue Service and the War Against Smuggling, Smith, G, Conway Maritime Press, 1983.

“At the Spithead Review there was a short altercation between HM Customs and Excise and the Admiralty. An Admiralty Order had been published that after eight in the morning of the day of the review, no vessels, other than those flying a white ensign were allowed to approach, let alone enter the lines of vessels. The Chairman of Customs and Excise informed the Admiralty that at a certain hour the Vigilant would proceed down the lines and that HM Customs and Excise held a charter from Charles II which gave them greater powers than the Navy in home waters. At the due time the Vigilant, proudly flying the Customs Ensign, sailed down the lines between the assembled battleships and, although momentarily stopped by a naval picket boat, carried on regardless to the end of the lines, turned aside and dropped anchor. The Board’s Solicitor and the Treasury Solicitor were amongst the party on board, obviously as a safeguard! The Vigilant had her day.”

Adeligneumann (talk) 17:08, 30 June 2009 (UTC)