A Service of Dedication for the new Merchant Marine Services Standard was held at St George’s Church, Douglas, on Sunday (April 14th).
The service, attended by His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood and some 200 members of the seafaring community and general public, included traditional hymns and prayers, a reading by the Lieutenant Governor, and the dedication of the Standard by the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Right Reverend Robert Paterson.
The new Standard, which carries the Three Legs of Man emblem, recognises the contribution of the Manx Merchant Navy and Ship Registry during peacetime as well as at times of conflict. It 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.
Retired Steam Packet Company Master Captain Allan Bridson was instrumental in the introduction of the new Standard, which was commissioned by Isle of Man Steam Packet Company to represent the organisation at the Royal British Legion’s Annual Remembrance Day Service and other events. For many years the Merchant Marine Services has been represented at such events by Steam Packet Company Masters and shore based managers.
‘This was a proud and emotional service, and we were delighted so many people came to St George’s Church to share an important moment for the Merchant Marine Services and the Steam Packet Company,’ said Mark Woodward, Steam Packet Company Chief Executive.
‘The service was a celebration of the Isle of Man’s important maritime contribution and the sense of pride in seeing the dedication of this Standard, which we are so pleased to have commissioned, will be matched only by seeing it paraded by the Isle of Man Sea Cadets.’
Service of Dedication for the new Merchant Marine Services Standard, which recognises the contribution of the Manx Merchant Navy and Ship Registry during peacetime as well as at times of conflict, was held recently at St George’s Church, Douglas
