A Service of Dedication will be held this weekend for the new Merchant Marine Services Standard, commissioned to represent the organisation at the Royal British Legion’s Annual Remembrance Day Service and other events.
The dedication service is to be conducted by The Venerable Andrew Brown, Archdeacon of Mann, and will take place at St George’s Church, Douglas, at 3.00pm on Sunday, 14th April 2013. All Seafarers including Merchant Navy personnel, fishermen and boat owners are invited to attend the service wearing uniform or dress relevant to their profession. Members of the public who wish to attend are welcomed but we wish to advise that seating spaces may be limited.
For a number of years, the Merchant Marine Services has been represented on Remembrance Day and at other events by Steam Packet Company Masters.
Captain Bridson, now retired, was the driving force behind the new Standard, which will be paraded at events on behalf of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company by cadets of the training ship, Manxman, the Isle of Man Sea Cadet Unit.
The Standard carries the Three Legs of Mann emblem and recognises the contribution the Manx Merchant Navy and Ship Registry have made, both during peace time and in times of conflict.
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘The Service of Dedication will be a proud moment for all involved. Given the representation by Steam Packet Captains and our Marine Manager over the years, we were only too happy to commission the making of a Standard, which was delivered by Porters of Merseyside.
‘The Isle of Man has every right to be proud of the contribution made to Manx life by the Merchant Marine Services and we are delighted that the Standard will be paraded by cadets from T.S. Manxman at future Remembrance Day services and other events.’
Captain Kane Taha and retired Master Captain Allan Bridson pictured with Isle of Man Sea Cadets and the new Isle of Man Merchant Marine Services Standard.
