On Merchant Navy Day, 3 September, The City of London Corporation will fly the Red Ensign at Tower Bridge to raise awareness of the UK’s ongoing dependence on Merchant Navy seafarers.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alan Yarrow, will be taking take part in a photo call at Tower Bridge, 1pm, on the 3^rd September. The City of London Corporation is supporting a nationwide call from the Seafarers UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association for the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag to be flown on public buildings and landmark flagstaffs.

Lord Mayor Alan Yarrow said:

“With a long family background in the maritime industry I know all too well the importance of the Merchant Navy to the UK. It is precisely why I am backing the ‘Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day’ to mark the courage and sacrifices that this nation’s seafarers have had to make over the years.”

The charity’s president, HRH The Earl of Wessex, has endorsed the campaign, saying: ‘On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.’

As an ‘island nation’ the UK relies on Merchant Navy seafarers for 95% of our imports, including half the food we eat. The UK has the largest ports industry in Europe. 75% of our exports (by volume) are shipped from UK ports, some of which are supporting the campaign by encouraging visiting ships to sound their horns at 10am on 3 September.