Council celebrates Merchant Navy Day
East Ayrshire Council hoisted the Red Ensign, or ‘Red Duster’, to mark Merchant Navy Day and raise awareness of the UK’s ongoing dependence on Merchant Navy seafarers.
The Council was supporting a nationwide call from the Seafarers UK charity for the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag to be flown on public buildings and landmark flagstaffs.
Provost Jim Todd welcomed guests to the flag raising ceremony and local veteran John Bannerman read out a message from the charity’s president, HRH The Earl of Wessex. The Red Ensign was then raised by Falklands veteran Jamie Burns who works with the Council’s Facilities and Property Management section. Jamie was one of the youngest Forces Personnel involved in the Falklands conflict and was awarded the South Atlantic Medal with rosette.
As an ‘island nation’ the UK relies on Merchant Navy seafarers for more than 90% of our imports, but many people, particularly the younger generation, know little about ships and seafarers and fail to appreciate the vital contribution they make to our way of life.
Provost Todd said: “We were pleased to support Merchant Navy Day which provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the real importance of our merchant shipping industry. Being an island nation, the vast majority of goods arriving or leaving from the UK do so by sea. We have always been a significant and successful maritime nation and it's important to recognise the work of our merchant fleet both now and in the future."
For further information, visit www.merchantnavyfund.org
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