Merchant Navy Day in U.K. 2023: Date, History, Facts about Sailors

Merchant Navy Day in U.K. 2023: Annually, Merchant Navy Day is observed on September 3. In recognition of their sacrifice during World War I, King George V conferred upon British merchant seafarers the title of Merchant Navy. They are frequently regarded as an invisible and neglected community. Modern merchant mariners are responsible for the imports of the United Kingdom, which include food and other daily products and commodities. On this day, the Red Ensign is flown across the nation to honour the valiant Merchant Navy personnel.

The background of Merchant Navy Day

The United Kingdom observes Merchant Navy Day on September 3. The day commemorates an event that occurred in 1939, during World War II, when Germany torpedoed and sank the first British merchant ship, the SS Athenia, killing over 120 passengers and personnel. Merchant Navy Day promotes awareness of the nation’s continuing reliance on merchant seafarers. The Seafarers’ Charity (formerly Seafarers U.K.) launched the Fly the Red Ensign for the Merchant Navy Day campaign in 2015 to address’sea blindness,’ providing an occasion to honour merchant seafarers. In the year 2000, Merchant Navy Day became an official day of remembrance.

King George V coined the term Merchant Navy to recognise the sacrifice of merchant seafarers during World War I, and several other nations have since adopted the term. During wartime, the Merchant Navy played a crucial role in transporting military personnel and provisions overseas. At the time, approximately 185,000 civilians and volunteers served in the Merchant Navy. They struggled to deliver food, fuel, equipment, and basic materials while taking part in the Battle of the Atlantic. Over 14,000 individuals perished during World War I, and over 30,000 perished during World War II.

More than 90 percent of the U.K.’s imports and exports are delivered by the Merchant Navy, which kept Britain afloat during both World Wars. The Merchant Navy is comprised of commercial and trading ships and their personnel, which fly the Red Ensign. This day is an opportunity to recognise the valiant service and sacrifice of merchant seafarers.

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5 FACTS ABOUT SAILORS THAT YOU MUST KNOW

Almost every item sold globally is conveyed by ship.

In addition to storms and rough weather, seafarers face the threat of piracy and being taken as captives.

Seafarers are exposed to both physical and psychological dangers, such as diseases and injuries, as well as fatigue, melancholy, and loneliness.

Women comprise only about 2% of all seafarers worldwide.

Their shipping companies have criminalised, abandoned, and even failed to pay numerous seafarers.

MERCHANT NAVY DAY DATES