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Motion · S6M-00953 · 26 Aug 2021

Merchant Navy Day 2021

Lodged by Bill Kidd Standard Motion 19 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament recognises Merchant Navy Day, which will be commemorated on 3 September 2021; notes that this date marks the anniversary of the declaration of the Second World War and the sinking of the SS Athena commercial liner by Nazi torpedo, with the loss of 112 passengers and crew, the first British, US and Canadian casualties of the war; remembers the lives of the approximately 40,000 seafarers who died in service to Britain during the Second World War while doing work allowing the nations of Britain to maintain supplies for the civilian population and the military; acknowledges that the Red Ensign is raised annually on Merchant Navy Day to draw public attention to the lives lost by seafarers and the continued vital work of the Merchant Navy to this day; understands that the essential work shouldered by the Merchant Navy facilitated the continuation of society during the COVID-19 pandemic, including through the importation of almost half of the UK's food; recognises that seafarers were not afforded the ability to work from home during this period; emphasises that seafarers have continued to bring supplies for the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK, and have done so during a time of risk, and in job roles already subject to distinctive health risks, and expresses its sincere thanks to the seafaring community for its vital contribution to Scottish society during this turbulent and unprecedented period in history.

Supporters (19)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.