Nautilus marks 10th anniversary of the Fly the Red Ensign campaign during Merchant Navy Day 2025

Nautilus officials and members once again proudly saw the Red Ensign fly at commemorative events for Merchant Navy Day throughout the UK this year, from Glasgow to Dover.

This year's event was especially significant, marking the 10th anniversary of the UK-wide 'Fly the Red Ensign' campaign, launched to highlight the essential role the Merchant Navy plays in our national life, both in wartime and peacetime. It is a day to honour the immense contribution and sacrifices of merchant seafarers, whose courage and service have kept our nation supplied in times of conflict and continue to support our economy and daily lives today.

At Nautilus Mariners' Park, commemorative events were held, including the annual flag-raising service held at the Atlantic Stone outside the Trinity House Hub, which was overseen by Reverend Alan Leach, and also a special event for residents in the Care Home who could not make it outside. Richard Mitchell laid the wreath at the Atlantic Stone on behalf of the residents. Residents were invited to socialise at the Trinity House Hub afterwards.

It might not have been the biggest commemoration for Merchant Navy Day, but in the small village of Elston, one retired member helped raise the Red Ensign in recognition of the service given by merchant seafarers. The Nottinghamshire village is over 70 miles from the sea but has been celebrating the occasion for 10 years.

As the only seafarer in the village, Captain James Hofton, who is also a Nautilus Welfare Fund committee member and former Nautilus Council member, said it had been his privilege to hoist the flag on every occasion.

Nautilus was represented in Glasgow by head of industrial Micky Smyth, who attended a ceremony at the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies with Dan Henderson from the RMT union. This event was held in lieu of the usual wreath-laying at the Cenotaph in George Square, which is currently closed for work.

Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker Iain Lindsay represented the Merchant Navy Welfare Board at events in Edinburgh. Meanwhile serving Council member Allan Dickson attended a bigger than ever Merchant Navy Day service with the Edinburgh branch of the Merchant Navy Association, which this year displayed both the Branch Standard and the Scottish Merchant Navy Association Standard. This event was followed by a reception at the Vine Trust's Tom Dunn Barge, just a short walk from the Seafarers Memorial.

 

At the other end of the UK, in Dover, Nautilus staff attended a wet and windy Dover Merchant Navy Day ceremony, where the wreaths had to be pinned to ground beside the Merchant Navy War Memorial on Marine Parade on Dover seafront.

On Sunday 7 September, Nautilus deputy general secretary Olu Tunde will also represent the Union at a special Merchant Navy Day Commemorative Service to be held at the Merchant Navy Memorial on Tower Hill in London.

The annual London commemorative service is hosted by the Merchant Navy Association (MNA) and includes a band-led parade, service and wreath laying. Nautilus was at the forefront in lobbying the UK government to formally recognise Merchant Navy Day, which received official recognition in the year 2000. The Fly the Red Ensign initiative is championed by the Seafarers' Charity.