Port of Aberdeen marks Merchant Navy Day with colleague reflections
Port of Aberdeen is proud to mark Merchant Navy Day 2025, a day dedicated to recognising the invaluable contribution of Merchant Navy seafarers past and present.
Often described as the ‘fourth service’, the Merchant Navy has played a vital role in the UK’s history, keeping our island nation supplied in times of peace and conflict. Today, it continues to support global trade, energy, and travel, with crews working tirelessly across the world’s oceans.
At Port of Aberdeen, we are fortunate to have a large number of colleagues in our Marine Department who previously served in the Merchant Navy before coming ashore to continue their maritime careers. Their experiences at sea have shaped the skills, values, and perspectives they bring to their roles at the port.
To mark this year’s Merchant Navy Day, we raised the Red Ensign, or ‘Red Duster’, and asked those colleagues to reflect on one simple but powerful question “The most valuable lesson I learned at sea during my time with the Merchant Navy was…”
Here’s what they had to say:
“The most valuable lesson I learned at sea during my 5 years with the Merchant Navy was that resilience and adaptability are everything. At sea, no two days are alike. Over my time as a Second Mate I was involved in four dry docks – one emergency and three planned – and I’ve sailed through rough weather where you need to dig deep and work with your crewmates to keep things safe. There were incredible moments too which included watching dolphins, orcas, and even a sunfish alongside the ship, or seeing the kind of sunrises, sunsets, and meteor showers you only get far offshore. Those highs and lows taught me you can’t simply throw in the towel when things get tough – you have to roll with whatever comes your way, find solutions, and keep moving forward. That mindset has carried into my career ashore at Port of Aberdeen, where every day brings new challenges, from emergency exercises and rig moves, to Tall Ships planning and handling complex vessel arrivals. The lessons I learned at sea during my time in the Merchant Navy still shape how I approach those challenges today.”
“The most valuable lesson I learned at sea during my 14 years with the Merchant Navy was the importance of teamwork and adaptability, not only onboard but in every aspect of life. I also made lifelong friendships with people from different backgrounds and cultures while living and working in what can be harsh and demanding environment.”
“The most valuable lesson I learned at sea during my 20 years with the Merchant Navy was that everyone knows something the next person doesn't, so listen to and learn from others.”
These reflections remind us of the dedication and professionalism of those who served in the Merchant Navy, and the legacy that continues in ports and maritime organisations across the country.
As we fly the Red Ensign in honour of Merchant Navy Day, Port of Aberdeen pays tribute to the seafarers who keep trade, energy, and people moving, and we thank our colleagues who have brought their wealth of experience from sea to shore.
