Seafarers and Nautilus International staff raised the UK Merchant Navy flag at the Nautilus Welfare Fund's Mariners' Park Estate and the Nautilus International office in London to commemorate Merchant Navy Day 2020.
The Merchant Navy Day event in Wallasey was held at the Atlantic Memorial Stone in Mariners' Park in front of 35 socially-distanced residents. This was followed by a minute's silence for seafarers who have given their lives for their country and a service by the Reverend Alan Leach.
In London, assistant general secretary Olu Tunde raised the Red Ensign at the Union's head office.
The Union featured Merchant Navy Day extensively on its social media channels, including launching an Instagram account featuring lots of images of the 'Red Duster'.
The new Instagram account will help members to tell their stories through a carefully curated collection of striking imagery, including entries to the Union's photography competitions. It aims to combat 'sea blindness' by giving followers up-to-date news and a behind-the-scenes look at life in the maritime sector.
Many events were cancelled in 2020 due to coronavirus, including the service at the Merchant Navy Memorials in Tower Hill, and the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral in mid-October. However, many organisations still took part in the annual flag raising, and many more raised 'virtual flags' on social media.
Mariners' Park marks the occasion
Retired seafarers and Nautilus International staff also raised the red ensign at Mariners’ Park in Wallasey.
The event in Wallasey was held at the Atlantic Memorial Stone in Mariners' Park in front of 35 socially-distanced residents. Unfortunately, care home residents and staff were not able to attend this year, though they were tested just before Merchant Navy Day and were all found to be Covid-free.
The ceremony was followed by a minute’s silence for seafarers who have given their lives for their country and a service by the Reverend Alan Leach.
'The residents of Mariners' Park were able to remember the sacrifices of the merchant marine and celebrate the contribution of the Merchant Navy to our lives today,' said welfare services manager Mick Howarth.
'A special prayer was offered to those mariners caught up in the Covid crisis who have not been able to return home because of the difficulties organising crew changes at this time.'
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