Test Valley Borough Council is supporting a nationwide call from the Seafarers UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association for the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag to be flown on public buildings and landmark flagstaffs.
The charity’s president, HRH The Earl of Wessex, has endorsed the campaign, and sends this message:
‘On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.
Too often they are the forgotten or invisible service, by raising the Red Ensign you will ensure that at least on this day they are remembered.
Your act will mean so much to their families and to the retired, but most especially to those at sea.’
As an ‘island nation’ the UK relies on Merchant Navy seafarers for 95% of our imports, including half the food we eat.
The UK has the largest ports industry in Europe.
75% of our exports (by volume) are shipped from UK ports, some of which are supporting this campaign by encouraging visiting ships to sound their horns at 10am today as the flags are raised.
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