Merchant Navy Day
The Seafarers’ Charity is calling on organisations, communities, and individuals across the UK to honour the people behind the Merchant Navy Flag by flying the Red Ensign, whether physically or digitally, on Merchant Navy Day, Tuesday, 3 September. Please join us in paying tribute to our merchant seafarers, past and present.
Our Fly the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day campaign was started in 2015 to address ‘sea blindness’ that appeared to afflict a huge proportion of the population, with widespread public ignorance about the UK’s ongoing dependence on merchant seafarers who are responsible for shipping over 95% of the UK’s trade.
Since its inception, the campaign has grown into a significant national event. The Red Ensign, known affectionately as the 'Red Duster,' is flown at a multitude of locations ashore, including historic properties, parish and town council offices, church towers, and village greens across the UK. This powerful symbol serves to highlight the indispensable role of merchant seafarers - past, present, and future.
The campaign provides an opportunity to celebrate and honour the many courageous men and women who serve or have served as merchant seafarers. Their bravery kept supply lines open during two World Wars. More recently, they played a crucial role in maintaining the supply chain during the COVID-19 crisis. Today, modern-day merchant seafarers are indispensable, handling the majority of the UK's imports and highlighting our ongoing reliance on their work.
Message from our President, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh
Please feel free to share or read out the message from the President of The Seafarers’ Charity, HRH Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, online or at your flag-hoisting event.
“
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 25,000 men and women working at sea carrying around 95% of our island nation’s trade. Regrettably, it is only during times of war that their 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.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SEAFARERS’ CHARITY, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT GCVO
How you can get involved
Take part on Social Media
Where flying a physical flag isn’t achievable, the charity is asking people to show their support by sharing photos and messages on social media using the hashtag #MerchantNavyDay and tag The Seafarers' Charity. Whether it’s sharing personal experiences as merchant seafarers or celebrating someone they know who has served, these stories bring the community together in recognising the Merchant Navy's contributions.
Download the free Social Media Toolkit here.
Where to purchase a 'Red Duster'
You can purchase 'Red Dusters' online from the Hampshire Flag Company at www.hampshireflag.co.uk.
Use the discount code SEAFARERS15% to receive a discount on your order until 10 September.
Request your certificate of participation
If you would like to receive a certificate of participation (in PDF format), please email marcomms@theseafarerscharity.org
