Merchant Navy (United Kingdom)

The Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom and comprises the seagoing commercial interests of UK-registered ships and their crews. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). King George V bestowed the title of "Merchant Navy" on the British merchant shipping fleets following their service in the First World War;[1] a number of other nations have since adopted the title. Previously it had been known as the Mercantile Marine or Merchant Service, although the term "Merchant Navy" was already informally used from the 19th century.

British Merchant Navy
Badge of the Merchant Navy
Active	1835 – present
Country	United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Channel Islands
Type	Civil
Size	10th Largest; 30 Million Gross Registered Tonnage 40.7 Million Deadweight Tonnage
Colours	Red
Fleet	Cargo Cruise Civilian/Pleasure
Engagements	U-boat Campaign, (1914–1918) Battle of the Atlantic, (1939–1943)
Insignia
Red Ensign
Civil Jack

Merchant Navy of the United Kingdom

Components
International Maritime Organisation Royal Fleet Auxiliary Maritime and Coastguard Agency The Marine Society Red Ensign Maritime Colleges
History
Maritime History of the UK
Ships
Merchant Ship Types Marine Transportation
Personnel
Notable Sea Captains Notable Sailors Officers Ratings
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