News

It is with much regret, that the Annual Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service previously planned for Sunday 5th September has been cancelled. the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation in September, the vulnnerability of those attending, the maintenance of social distancing when travelling, mixing with shipmates on parade, in the Gardens and at Wetherspoons has been considered. That, together with the logistics of planning/cancelling the event have forced this decision.

Instead, to mark Merchant Navy Day, we are planning to hold a small service in the Sunken Garden, at 12.00hrs on Friday 3rd September and without the usual ‘pageantry’. There will be no security, band, standards or seating etc., just a small gathering to pay their respects.

The MN Association asks that you avoid travelling to this service and, instead, mark the day at your local event.

Many congratulations to the @StellaMarisOrg who today celebrated their centenary. They hold a special place in the heart of Glasgow Branch members not only because the Stella Maris was founded in Glasgow but in the 70’s we held our meetings in the Stella Maris at Calton Place and when the Stella Maris opened in Whiteinch many of our members helped out at the Lunch Club. We have many happy memories and delighted that our friendship and support with the Stella Maris continues today.

World Maritime Day 24th September 2020

UK maritime charities step up as shipping sector faces humanitarian crisis
As a result of the pandemic, the maritime shipping sector faces a humanitarian crisis. This aspect of the ongoing crisis should concern us all. Why? Because the maritime shipping sector moves more than 80 per cent of global trade and is a crucial component of the global economy. Moreover, the United Kingdom is an island nation with over 90% of trade goods
transported by sea, ranging from food and fuel to medical supplies needed to fight Covid-19.
There are 1.6m seafarers worldwide and it is estimated that upwards of 300,000 of those seafarers are currently trapped on ships awaiting a crew change – some have been working non-stop for over 15 months. This means there are at least another 300,000 seafarers waiting at home to replace them who are not being paid and need to support their families. The cruise
industry alone involves around 12,000 UK seafarers. The passenger sector has been hit the hardest with more redundancies on the horizon.
The situation is so serious that UN agencies have made a joint statement calling on all Governments to immediately recognise seafarers as ‘key workers’, and to take swift and effective action to eliminate obstacles to crew changes, ensure maritime safety and facilitate economic recovery.
Since the beginning of the crisis the Unions and Ship owners (ITF & International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and other key national and international actors have made unprecedented efforts to use collaboration and social dialogue, working continuously, creatively and tirelessly to address the issues. The numerous UK maritime charities have also pulled
together to support not only serving seafarers and their families but also the retired seafaring community, which includes maritime care homes.
Life at sea makes seafarers and their families back home adopt a stoic and independent approach to living – they adapt and overcome – they have to. They are also proud and notoriously slow at coming forward for help. That’s why maritime charities need your help to reach out to Merchant Navy personnel, past and present, and their families who may need
help during these difficult times.
Serving and retired seafarers or their family members in need of advice or assistance are encouraged to visit the Seafarer Support website www.seafarersupport.org where they will find the maritime charity best suited to help. The website acts as a central source of information for the UK maritime charity sector, referring to specialist charities who offer a
wide range of assistance, ranging from advice and accommodation to financial support. The Seafarer Support website also covers serving and retired Fishermen, Royal Navy/Royal Marines personnel and their families with links to organisations that help non-UK seafarers.
So, seafarers needing help should visit www.seafarersupport.org or ring Freephone 0800 121 4765.
Finally, to their credit, many major UK based maritime funding charities are collaborating with other charities and organisations around the world to support seafarers during the crisis.
We’re all in this together and maritime charities are stepping up.

This morning in Plymouth, our National Chairwoman, Mrs Christine Payne laid a Wreath on behalf of The Watch Ashore at The Watchkeeper Monument on the Hoe. This monument is dedicated to those who have served or who are serving in the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets.

Seafarers UK is calling on flagpole owners throughout the UK to support the charity’s annual ‘Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day’ campaign.

Last year the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag was flown at more than one thousand locations ashore, including by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at No. 10 Downing Street.

With few public flag-hoisting ceremonies being organised this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Seafarers UK is asking local authorities, councils, businesses and organisations with flagpoles at their premises to fly a Red Ensign on 3 September.

The symbolic act of flying a Red Ensign ashore provides a timely opportunity to raise public awareness of the UK’s ongoing dependence on all merchant seafarers.

Despite the wide-ranging impacts of the coronavirus, seafarers of many nationalities have been working hard to keep the UK supplied with food, fuel, medicines and other essential goods. But despite being recognised by some governments as ‘keyworkers’, most seafarers are still being prevented from disembarking in many ports on global trade routes.

Hundreds of thousands have been compelled to continue working after their contracts end, as replacement crews are unable to leave their home countries to start work on ships in ports around the world. The impacts on ‘stranded’ seafarers are inevitable; ill health, anxiety, poverty, etc.

Seafarers UK has released £2 million for grants to ‘frontline’ charities that are supporting seafarers in need and their families.

A guide to Seafarers UK’s campaign is available to download at https://www.seafarers.uk/merchant-navy-fund/merchant-navy-day/

All participants who register online will be added to the charity’s ‘Roll of Honour’ and sent a ‘Commemorative Certificate’ for public display.

The Watch Ashore is a small organisation with a big heart. We have always supported seafarers and the various maritime charities. At this particular time we wanted to show, in some small way, that the crew on the cruise liners have not been forgotten and that we care about them.

We have made up “care packages” which will be given to the female seafarers onboard the cruise ships docked in Glasgow. The above photo shows the gift bags which will be deliver to the Port Chaplains to hand out on our behalf.