26 June 2014
All vessels in and around Jersey’s coastal waters on Saturday 28 June 2014 are being asked to join a commemoration of the event which led to the First World War.
This year is the centenary of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo and between sunrise and sunset on Saturday all vessels are asked to fly their ship’s Ensigns and Jacks (if worn), at half-mast to indicate mourning. Courtesy flags should not be lowered.
The move is being supported by the International Maritime Organisation in response to an invitation by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to all nations to help commemorate the event.
All vessels moored in marinas and harbours around the Island are being encouraged to participate in a simultaneous remembrance sound signal on Saturday evening by sounding one very prolonged blast on their ship’s sirens or fog horns of up to 15 seconds duration starting at 6 pm. This will mark the hour when the very first shot was fired in the conflict.
Jersey’s Harbour Master, Barry Goldman CBE, said “Jersey knows all too well the effects of war and coupled with our maritime history and dependence on the sea, it seems a small but appropriate gesture to make on the part of local mariners to commemorate such a significant event in our time.
"I would encourage all masters of ships and boat owners to participate on Saturday evening, whether they use their vessels for commercial or leisure purposes. Any vessel berthed in any of the marinas or outlying harbours are also encouraged to take part as they don’t have to be out at sea at the time.”
The sounding of the sirens on Saturday evening will be co-ordinated by St Helier Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) on VHF Channel 14 and by Jersey Coastguard on VHF Channel 82 and should be one single prolonged blast and not multiple short blasts.
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