Merchant Navy Medal - Reminder to Nominate Ratings

Circular No.NP/123/22

To all Shipping Branches and Regional Councils

16th May 2022

Dear Colleagues

REMINDER: Nominations for the Merchant Navy Medal 2022

Further to circular no.58 of 4th March 2022, I write to remind Shipping Branches that the deadline for nominating seafarer Ratings for the Merchant Navy Medal is 31st May.

Members are encouraged to nominate current or retired RMT Ratings for this award. No ship can sail without Ratings and their specialist skills are often downplayed by employers like P&O Ferries in order to maximise profit. Nominations should be made on behalf of individuals, on a confidential basis and should be accompanied by as many supporting statements as possible. Merchant Navy Medal guidance and nomination forms are available online, here.

Twenty medals are awarded each year to recognise outstanding contributions to the maritime industry by merchant seafarers in the UK, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. The minimum period of qualifying merchant navy service is generally twenty years, although exceptions are made. Merchant seafarers, retired or serving can be nominated.

Nominations and supporting statements for the 2022 Merchant Navy Medal should be emailed to MerchantNavyMedal@dft.gov.uk by Tuesday 31st May.

I would be grateful if you could bring the content of this circular to the attention of all members in your Branch and you will be kept updated with further developments.

Yours sincerely


Mick Lynch
General Secretary