On Tuesday 3 September at 9am, Felixstowe Town Council will fly the Red Ensign at the Town Hall to mark Merchant Navy Day and raise awareness of the UK’s ongoing dependence on Merchant Navy seafarers.
Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day on 3 September has honoured the brave men and women who kept our island nation afloat during both World Wars, and celebrated our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95% of the UK’s imports, including half of the food we eat.
Cllr David Rowe, Mayor of Felixstowe said “Felixstowe Town Council is honoured to fly the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day, acknowledging the sacrifice and dedication of all merchant seafarers. As a coastal town with the UK’s busiest container port, Felixstowe is proud to honour their service”.
The President of The Seafarers’ Charity, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, said: “Merchant Navy Day is the one moment we can acknowledge the invisible service. By flying the Red Ensign on this day, you will be recognising the approximately 80,000 men and women working at sea carrying around 95% of our island nation’s trade. Regrettably, it is only during times of war that the service enters our consciousness, as is sadly the case today with seafarers running the gauntlet in the Red Sea. This is our one opportunity to show our seafarers how much we value them, past and present, as well as their families.
For more information about Merchant Navy Day and Seafarers UK, please visit www.theseafarerscharity.enthuse.com/cf/merchant-navy-day-2024