Merchant Navy Day 2024

Ports of Jersey will be marking Merchant Navy Day on Tuesday 3 September, by flying the Red Ensign. The day is an opportunity for those in the maritime sector to honour the sacrifice of seafarers and fishers. It also serves as a reminder of Britain’s reliance on merchant seafarers, who are responsible for more than 95% of the country’s trade.

King George V awarded the title of Merchant Navy on British merchant seafarers in recognition of their sacrifice during World War I. During the Second World War, German U-boats sank nearly 14.7 million tons of Allied shipping, which amounted to 2,828 ships. 32,000 merchant seafarers were killed onboard convoy vessels during the war.

The Merchant Navy also participated in the Korean War, Gulf War and Iraq War. And during the Falklands Campaign in 1982 an estimated 3,000 civilian crew on board the 22 Royal Fleet Auxiliary and 51 vessels, chartered or requisitioned from the UK Merchant Navy by the Ministry of Defence, played a crucial role. Their work included minesweeping, troop transport, supply of equipment, fuel and food, hospital facilities, carrying prisoners and accommodating survivors.

Following many years of lobbying to officially recognise the sacrifices made by merchant seafarers in the two World Wars and since, Merchant Navy Day became an official Day of Remembrance on 3 September 2000. On this annual celebration, the Red Ensign is flown to honour the service of the men and women of the Merchant Navy, who are now responsible for the importation of food and other essential goods.

Captain Stanley Richard-dit-Leschery was a Royal Naval Reservist for 25 years. He was one of the 3,000 civilian Merchant Navy crew who formed part of the Falkland Islands task force in 1982, and which claimed the lives of 17 merchant navy sailors. He is now a Ports of Jersey pilot and Senior Maritime Standards Manager: “I am the third generation of my family to serve in the Merchant Navy. My maternal grandfather, an Engineer Officer, was fortunate to survive when his oil tanker was torpedoed during World War 2, while my father sailed as a Captain with Cunard for more than 20 years.

“Merchant Navy Day therefore means a lot to me, particularly as I knew some of those who died on MV Atlantic Conveyor in 1982. I hope the day gives everyone pause to think about what we all owe to the world’s merchant seafarers and fishers, and to the various charities that look after them.”

Ports of Jersey’s Harbour Master, Captain Bill Sadler, said: “I hope we will continue to remember the sacrifice of all the civilian sailors from the Merchant Navy who have lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, and all the other subsequent wars and conflicts.

“Merchant seafarers continue to play an important role today, by supplying us with essential goods. I’m pleased that Merchant Navy Day continues to remind people of their valuable work.”

Ports of Jersey will be flying both the Jersey Red Ensign and the Red Ensign from The Steam Clock, and Red Ensigns will be flown from other Harbours flagstaffs, including Maritime House.