The Red Ensign or ‘Red Duster’, was raised to mark Merchant Navy Day, 3 September, to raise awareness of the UK’s ongoing support for Merchant Navy seafarers.
Merchant Navy Day
The Seafarers’ Charity encourages organisations to fly the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day to remind people to honour and remember the sacrifices of the often forgotten, but very hard-working, Merchant Navy seafarers, responsible for shipping over 95% of the UK’s trade and have an essential role in national life, both in wartime and peacetime.
Councillor John Greenwell, Executive Member for Roads and Public Space Development
In his capacity as Champion for Armed Forces and Veterans and Equalities - "This is our one opportunity to show our seafarers how much we value them, past and present, as well as their families."
Following the hoisting of the flag Cllr Greenwell led a short tribute highlighting the indispensable role of merchant seafarers.
Merchant Navy Day was established in 2000 by HM Government and is on 3rd September each year, the anniversary of the start of the Second World War. Merchant seafarers kept vital supply lines open during the Second World War.