Nautilus members fly the Red Ensign during Merchant Navy Day 2025

3 September 2025

Image:Richard Mitchell laid the wreath at the Atlantic Stone on behalf of Nautilus Mariners' Park residents for their annual Merchant Navy Day flag-raising service. All images: Nautilus International except where indicated. — Richard Mitchell laid the wreath at the Atlantic Stone on behalf of Nautilus Mariners' Park residents for their annual Merchant Navy Day flag-raising service. All images: Nautilus International except where indicated.

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 Southampton.

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.

Image:Nautilus deputy general secretary Olu Tunde at the Merchant Navy Memorial in London. — Nautilus deputy general secretary Olu Tunde at the Merchant Navy Memorial in London.

Image:Raising the Red Ensign during the Mariners' Park ceremony held beside the Atlantic Stone — Raising the Red Ensign during the Mariners' Park ceremony held beside the Atlantic Stone

Image:Residents braving the wet weather outside the Trinity House Hub during the service — Residents braving the wet weather outside the Trinity House Hub during the service

Image:Flag-raising Mariners' Park residents (from left) Gary Dickinson and Alex Harrison. — Flag-raising Mariners' Park residents (from left) Gary Dickinson and Alex Harrison.

Image:A service was also held at the Care Home at Nautilus Mariners' Park. — A service was also held at the Care Home at Nautilus Mariners' Park.

Image:Nautilus member John Clarry (middle) leads the Merchant Navy Day service at the Harrogate war memorial . The service was conducted by the Harrogate branch of the Merchant Navy Association, which is happy to welcome new joiners. Image: courtesy of Mr Clarry — Nautilus member John Clarry (middle) leads the Merchant Navy Day service at the Harrogate war memorial . The service was conducted by the Harrogate branch of the Merchant Navy Association, which is happy to welcome new joiners. Image: courtesy of Mr Clarry

Image:Nautilus member Captain Aseem Hashmi is joined by Coventry's Lord Mayor Rachel Lancaster and other councillors to raise the Red Ensign. Capt Hashmi is master on the RMS Queen Mary 2 cruise ship. Image: Courtesy of Capt Hashmi — Nautilus member Captain Aseem Hashmi is joined by Coventry's Lord Mayor Rachel Lancaster and other councillors to raise the Red Ensign. Capt Hashmi is master on the RMS Queen Mary 2 cruise ship. Image: Courtesy of Capt Hashmi

Image:Edinburgh and Forth MNA branch president Captain D Flemming Millar, 96, assisted by Leith Academy students, lays one of the 14 wreaths presented during the well attended Leith remembrance service held at the Scottish National Merchant Navy Memorial . Image: courtesy of A Kautska — Edinburgh and Forth MNA branch president Captain D Flemming Millar, 96, assisted by Leith Academy students, lays one of the 14 wreaths presented during the well attended Leith remembrance service held at the Scottish National Merchant Navy Memorial . Image: courtesy of A Kautska

Image:Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson with other MNA Edinburgh branch members at an event held after the Leith service on the Vine Trust's Tom Dunn barge. It was the second consecutive year, that the branch had held a remembrance service. Image: courtesy of S Mitchell — Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson with other MNA Edinburgh branch members at an event held after the Leith service on the Vine Trust's Tom Dunn barge. It was the second consecutive year, that the branch had held a remembrance service. Image: courtesy of S Mitchell

Image:Union officials attending an event after the Leith service on the Vine Trust Tom Dunn barge were: Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson MNM (2nd from right), Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker Iain Lindsay (4th from left), and Nautilus ITF inspector Helen Meldrum (3rd from left). Image: S Hurst — Union officials attending an event after the Leith service on the Vine Trust Tom Dunn barge were: Nautilus Council member Allan Dickson MNM (2nd from right), Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker Iain Lindsay (4th from left), and Nautilus ITF inspector Helen Meldrum (3rd from left). Image: S Hurst

Capt James Hofton in Elston. Image: courtesy of Capt Hofton

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.

mnd_2025_glasgow_nautical_college_micky_smyth_nautilus_dan_henderson_rmt_insert.jpg — Micky Smyth and Dan Henderson in Glasgow

Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker Iain Lindsay represented the Merchant Navy Welfare Board at events in Edinburgh. Serving Council member Allan Dickson also attended the bigger than ever Merchant Navy Day Leith 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. The service saw the laying of 14 wreaths, including one from Nautilus International laid by Nautilus ITF inspector Helen Meldrum; and one from the Nautilus Welfare Fund, laid by Mr Lindsay

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.

In Southampton, Nautilus member and retired deepsea engineer Neil Nadkar and his wife attended a Sunday service at the original Holyrood Church for Merchant Navy Seafarers.

Nautilus members fly the Red Ensign during Merchant Navy Day 2025

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