New state award for a Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service
It is right that merchant seafarers and fishers are recognised for their service to our nation.
Thank you Admiral Lord West, Captain Matthew Easton and the rest of the Merchant Navy Medal Fund Committee for inviting me to say a few words.
It’s an honour to be here.
And what better place for such a ceremony than Trinity House, steeped in maritime history.
First I would like to congratulate this year’s recipients of the Merchant Navy Medal.
It is a prestigious accolade.
Sometimes people forget how important merchant seafarers and fishers are to our island nation.
So it is right that they are recognised for the vital role they play in often difficult and dangerous conditions.
Today’s medals are particularly special as they are the last set awarded by the Merchant Navy Medal Fund.
Back in 2011, the Fund began a campaign for a medal that is granted a place in the order of wear.
Two years later, Her Majesty the Queen approved a recommendation to introduce such a medal - a state award with a place in the order of wear.
And earlier this year, the Royal Warrant was signed.
Throughout this period, the Merchant Navy Medal Fund Committee worked closely with the Department for Transport and although it has taken some time to get to this point; these things are never as straightforward as they appear.
I am delighted to announce today that from 2016 we will have a new state award for a Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service with a place in the order of wear.
Artistic illustration of the new state award Merchant Navy medal.
The first awards will be announced on Merchant Navy Day – 3rd September 2016.
May I take this opportunity to thank the Merchant Navy Medal Fund Committee for the work they have done in recognising the outstanding service of those who have been awarded Merchant Navy Medals over the past 10 years.
Nominations for the first awards of the new Medal for Meritorious Service will open today.
The present committee, with its deep understanding of all aspects of the merchant shipping and fishing industries, will continue to work in an advisory capacity.
So let me finish by thanking you all once again for your contribution.
For your recognition of seafarers’ achievements over the past decade.
And for your work with the Department for Transport, which has culminated in today’s announcement; a new Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service.
Thank you.