In Orkney, the flag hoisting will be preceded by an unfolding of the Red Ensign, from 10am, on the Kirk Green.
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September 3 was chosen as Merchant Navy Day because on this day in 1939 – the first day of World War II – the SS Athenia was the first merchant ship to be torpedoed with the loss of 128 passengers and crew.
Monuments on Tower Hill record the names of over 36,000 merchant seamen and fishermen who were lost at sea during the First and Second World Wars and the Falklands.
This new state award, with a place in the order of wear, is being awarded to those who are serving or have served in the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets of the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands for exemplary service and devotion to duty, rewarding those who have set an outstanding example to others.
“I hope people will support Merchant Navy Day, and be encouraged to pay their own personal tributes by seeing the Red Ensign flying proudly at the civic centre over the weekend”. “By raising the Red Ensign, we ensure at least on this day they are remembered”. “We owe them a great debt of gratitude”.
To find out more about Merchant Navy Day visit www.merchantnavyfund.org/merchant- navy-day.
Chairman of Flintshire County Council Councillor Peter Curtis led a ceremony on Saturday morning outside County Hall in Mold thanking seafarers on Merchant Navy Day.
Ninety-five per cent of the UK’s imports and 75 per cent of exports are shipped to and from United Kingdom ports by Merchant Navy seafarers.
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The charity has produced a short video featuring Commodore Williams, filmed at the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth.
