MERCHANT NAVY DAY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2018 :: RMTnews 15 R MT flew the Red Ensign flag over its buildings across the country to mark Merchant Navy Day on September 3 to honour the brave men and women who kept our 'island nation' afloat during both World Wars. RMT members also took part in events across the country as part of the day which also celebrates our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95 per cent of the UK's imports. RMT regional organiser Craig Johnston laid a wreath on behalf of RMT at the Merchant Seafarers Memorial at South Shields alongside the Mayor of South Tyneside Councillor Ken Stephenson and Mayoress Kathy Stephenson. Dover Shipping branch secretary Lee Davison laid a wreath at the annual Merchant Navy Day Memorial Ceremony at Dover Town Hall followed by a laying of wreaths at the Merchant Navy Memorial on Dover Seafront. The event was attended by a wide range of seafarers from those who served in the Second World War all the way through to those who are currently training. RMT general secretary Mick Cash said that the union was pleased to pay respects to the memory of merchant seafarers of the past and raise the public profile of the vital economic and social role played by RMT members in the merchant navy. “They work to transport nearly all of the UK’s traded goods and nearly 20 million passengers on short sea ferry routes alone, every year. “We also use the event to sound a note of caution over the future of UK merchant navy seafarers, particularly ratings who are still not being trained or employed in sufficient number to avoid continued and catastrophic damage to our merchant navy skills base. “We will continue to work to achieve the aims of our SOS 2020 campaign ahead of next year’s Merchant Navy Day,” he said. R MT general secretary Mick Cash joined families and friends of the42 seafarers and two passengers who died in the MV Derbyshire tragedy 38 years ago at the Derbyshire Families Association’s annual memorial service in Liverpool earlier this month. Built in 1976 by Swan Hunter, registered at Liverpool and owned by Bibby Line, the carrier MV Derbyshire was lost on September 9 1980 during a typhoon south of Japan. At 91,655 tons, she remains the largest British ship ever to have been lost at sea. The memorial service at St. Nicholas’ Church, Liverpool was followed by the unveiling, in a specially designed garden, of an MV Derbyshire Memorial supported by the maritime unions. Mick Cash said that 38 years on it was important to remember those who died on the MV Derbyshire and support the friends and families of those who lost their lives. “This was a shocking tragedy that serves as yet another reminder of the constant battle for maritime safety. “This memorial plaque will serve as a constant reminder to the entire industry that safety on our seas must never be compromised and must remain our watchword,” he said. MERCHANT NAVY DAY REMEMBERING THE MV DERBYSHIRE TRAGEDY Dover South Shields John MacDonnell MP