Plans mooted for new Merchant Navy Medal:

Plans mooted for Merchant Navy Medal:

MERCHANT seafarers who have shown distinguished service might be honoured with a new Merchant Navy Medal, Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond has announced today.

The Queen has approved the Merchant Navy Medal, as part of the Honours system.

The approval of the new medal coincides with the UK's 14th Merchant Navy Day today. The Red Ensign flag will fly over the headquarters of the Department for Transport to mark the day.

Merchant Navy Day provides an opportunity to remember the sacrifices of the seafarers of the past, to show appreciation for British shipping and to look ahead to its future as a maritime nation.

Mr Hammond said: "Our maritime success could not be achieved without the people who work in the shipping industry and I am very pleased that there will now be an Honour specifically for merchant seafarers.

“On Merchant Navy Day, we remember the merchant seafarers of the past, more than 20,000 of whom lost their lives in the Second World War alone. We should never forget their efforts and the sacrifices they made, bravely crewing the ships which carried the goods which provided Britain with the means to survive.

“Shipping is every bit as important to the UK today, with the vast majority of goods arriving in our country by sea. The UK maritime sector enjoys an excellent reputation, which I hope will help it go from strength to strength.

“The new Merchant Navy Medal will be awarded for meritorious service by merchant seafarers.

Merchant Navy Day also celebrates the continuing role of the maritime sector in Britain’s economic wellbeing.

“Recent times have seen a revival in UK shipping, and I welcome the inaugural London International Shipping Week, which is taking place from September 9 to 13. This major event will give our maritime industries an opportunity to showcase themselves to an international audience, demonstrating that the UK is a great place to do maritime business.”

Captain Matthew Easton, speaking on behalf of Admiral Lord West and the Merchant Navy Medal Committee, said: “There has long been an acknowledgment among the maritime community that the importance of the Merchant Navy has not been recognised at a national level.

“We are hugely honoured that Her Majesty the Queen has granted the Merchant Navy its own National Award and in doing so reinforcing the importance of the Merchant Navy in the lives of all us, honouring the nation’s debt to the Merchant Navy in war and peace, historically, today and into the future.

“The Merchant Navy Medal Committee, who have overseen the industry sponsored Merchant Navy Medal since its inception in 2005, have been involved in this process and welcome today's announcement.

“We look forward to working with the National Honours Committee and Department for Transport in suggesting the criteria for the new Honour.”

LINK 1

LINK 2