Merchant Navy Day will be celebrated in Aberystwyth on Tuesday, 3 September.

Red Ensigns will be hoisted as usual at the RNLI station, the harbourmaster’s office, council buildings and the National Library of Wales.

Since 2000, Merchant Navy Day has honoured the brave men and women who kept our ’island nation’ afloat during both World Wars, and celebrated our dependence on modern day merchant seafarers who are responsible for 95 per cent of the UK’s imports, including half the food we eat, plenty of the fuel we burn and virtually all the products and goods we take for granted.

Around the UK hundreds of local flag-hoisting ceremonies will be organised, involving VIPs, civic dignitaries, Merchant Navy veterans, naval cadets, etc.

A message of support from HRH The Earl of Wessex is available to be read out at participating locations ’to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy’.

In 2019 the target is for the Red Ensign to be flown ashore at more than one thousand locations across the UK. Participants are being encouraged to fly the flag for the whole week.