The January Newsletter and the latest Member Listing are now in the Members’ Area

Photos of his presentation by Princess Anne are in the Events tab under MNM

2025 is the 220th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. More details to follow in January.

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This is now in the Members’ Area.

Cdre Rod has been having a clear out! A story about his National Service days and Squadex 81 have been placed in the Members’ Area under Miscellaneous.

The September Newsletter is now in the Members’ Area.

Congratulations to our member Steven Jones who has been awarded the Merchant Navy Medal.

Steven has received the medal for his work to tackle mental health issues amongst seafarers. Steven set up the Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) in 2015, which monitors the mood across the maritime sector and helps shipping companies and maritime bodies provide targeted support where it is needed.

Thanks to Steven’s work, the index has shone a spotlight on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on seafarers’ mental health, which has shown steady improvements since its creation. 

A lifelong champion of seafarer rights, in 2017 Steven campaigned to help bring home the Chennai Six – a group of 6 British maritime security guards wrongly imprisoned in an Indian jail. He helped mobilise the maritime industry into action, raising the profile of the 6 incarcerated men and exposing the injustice and challenging conditions they faced.

Steven said:

I’m thrilled to receive the Merchant Navy Medal. It’s absolutely vital that seafarers have a voice, are listened to by the industry and seen by society.  

I’m glad I am able to shine a light on the important work that seafarers do and I’ll continue to champion them in the years to come.

The MSSC held a dinner in HMS EAGLET to fund raise for their On The Water project (OTW). The Club has donated £250 towards the project based in Liverpool. It aims to get young deprived children to participate in water sports and to challenge and encourage them to take part. Admiral Sir Philip Jones accepted the cheque as Patron of the MSSC.

In Which We Serve is a 60 page book about the RN issued by the Admiralty in 1956 and gives a fascinating insight into the service 70 years ago. Courtesy of Harry Harley who has given us his copy.

We are honoured to announce that Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL has kindly agreed
to succeed Captain Patrick Walker CBE as the Club’s Patron. Sir Philip, who was born in
Bebington and attended Birkenhead School, had a long and distinguished Naval career
rising to First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. Since retirement from the Navy he has
undertaken several positions including amongst others President of the Marine Society
and Sea Cadets, Senior Naval Advisor for BAE Systems, Marine Non Executive Director
for the Port of London Authority, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum
of the Royal Navy. Sir Philip is also a Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University and
Honorary President of the Birkenhead Sea Cadets.

His full biography is under the History tab.