Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle has submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament to celebrate Merchant Navy Day 2024.
The annual event is celebrated on 3rd September to commemorate the beginning of the Second World War, and thanks and remembers those who served as merchant seafarers during the war, ensuring that vital trading continued, and often at significant risk.
Merchant Navy Day also acknowledges the vital work of all merchant seafarers who have served and who continue to serve, and it acknowledges their important role in transporting the UK's exports around the world, accounting for the transport of 95% of the country's exports.
Tim Eagle MSP said: "I am delighted to lodge a motion to the Scottish Parliament to celebrate Merchant Navy Day 2024, and to remember all those who have served and continue to serve as merchant seafarers.
"Our merchant seafarers often work in harsh and dangerous conditions, and without them, and the sacrifices they make, our economy simply could not function.
"Regrettably, the work of our merchant seafarers often goes unpraised by too many people, so it is important that we not only fly the red ensign every Merchant Navy Day, but that government does more every other day to support the work of our merchant seafarers."
A copy of Tim's motion can be found below:
Merchant Navy Day 2024
That the Parliament welcomes and celebrates Merchant Navy Day 2024; understands that the annual campaign is organised by The Seafarers Charity and that it is honoured by flying the Red Ensign, whether physically or digitally; recognises that Merchant Navy Day falls on 3 September in order to commemorate the anniversary of the start of the Second World War as well as the brave men and women who served as merchant seafarers and kept vital supply lines open during the war; acknowledges that Merchant Navy Day also recognises the lives and work of all merchant seafarers who have served and continue to serve as merchant seafarers; believes that merchant seafarers are vital to both the economies of Scotland and the UK, and understands that they are responsible for shipping over 95% of the UK’s trade, and thanks the country's seafarers for all that they do.