AS AN island nation, the UK merchant navy once stood as a source of major employment for British seafarers, particularly those in proud port cities like my home in Merseyside near Liverpool or others like Glasgow, Belfast and Southampton, the names of which would be proudly displayed on the sterns of vessels flying the Red Ensign. 

Unfortunately, the sight of the Red Ensign on a vessel is becoming less frequent and is even less likely to represent employment of British seafarers, more common now is the flag of convenience — countries like Liberia, Marshall Islands or Panama too often with poorly paid crew from the global South. 

In fact, the UK currently faces historic lows in the number of registered vessels, indicating a wider problem — the decline in the UK merchant navy and a source of longstanding employment, particularly for coastal communities. The UK is currently also facing historic lows in the number of qualified active seafarers.