A motor ship or motor vessel is a ship propelled by an internal combustion engine, usually a diesel engine . The names of motor ships are often prefixed with MS , M/S , MV or M/V .
54-602: The Blue Star Line was a British passenger and cargo shipping company formed in 1911, being in operation until 1998. Blue Star Line was formed as an initiative by the Vestey Brothers , a Liverpool -based butchers company, who had founded the Union Cold Storage Company to take advantage of refrigeration practices. They developed a large importation business, shipping frozen meat from South America to Britain, initially from Argentina on ships of
108-783: A British company. This amounted to: 59,413,000 GT or alternatively 75,265,000 DWT . This is according to the annual maritime shipping statistics provided by the British Government and the Department for Transport . In the last decade, ship numbers have continued to decline. In 2023, the British Ship Register had reduced to 1,054 ships. As a signatory to the STCW Convention UK ships are commanded by deck officers and engineering officers . Officers undergo 3 years of training, known as
162-489: A cadetship at one of the approved maritime colleges in the United Kingdom. These include Warsash Maritime Academy , South Tyneside College , Fleetwood , Plymouth University and City of Glasgow College . Cadets usually have a choice of two academic routes: Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma . Successful completion of this results in a qualification in marine operations or marine engineering. Generally
216-623: A crew composed of many Indians, Chinese or African sailors. Crews from outside Britain were usually drawn from areas in which the ship traded, so Far East trading ships had either Singapore or Hong Kong crews, banana boats had West Indian crews, ships trading to West Africa and Southern Africa had African crews and ships trading to the Indian Ocean (including East Africa) had crews from the Indian subcontinent . Crews made up of recruits from Britain itself were commonly used on ships trading across
270-457: A replica ship of the original Titanic that sank in 1912, is a Blue Star Line Cruises ship owned by Australian billionaire/businessman Clive Palmer who started the plan on April 14, 2012. This effort has no relation to the original and historic Blue Star Line. Merchant Navy (United Kingdom) The British Merchant Navy is the collective name given to British civilian ships and their associated crews, including officers and ratings. In
324-528: A seagoing cadet officer; apply to one of several training programmes elsewhere; or go to sea immediately by applying directly to a merchant shipping company at about age 17. Then there would be three years (with prior training or four years without) of seagoing experience aboard ship, in work-clothes and as mates with the deck crew, under the direction of the bo'sun cleaning bilges , chipping paint, polishing brass, cement washing freshwater tanks, and holystoning teak decks, and studying navigation and seamanship on
378-400: A subsidiary. Blue Star expanded into passenger transport, notably with five 12,900 GRT liners built in 1926–27 for its new London – Rio de Janeiro – Buenos Aires route. Cammell Laird of Birkenhead built three sister ships : Almeda , Andalucia and Arandora . John Brown & Company of Clydebank built two: Avelona and Avila . The quintet came to be called
432-471: A warrant on board the vessel. Bermuda (historically part of British North America , but left out of the Confederation of Canada ) flies the red ensign also as a territorial flag on land, as did other British North American colonies that still do so as Provinces of modern Canada , including Ontario (other British Overseas Territories that fly a nautical ensign as the territorial flag on land use
486-661: A white band, and red boot-topping. The company supplied beef to allied forces in France during the war, and began an expansion programme after it was over. The name format was altered with the introduction of the "Star" suffix to ship names, starting with Royalstar launched in 1919, later renamed Royal Star . The company expanded its operations to include services to the Pacific coast of North America from 1920, and Australia and New Zealand from 1933. The Blue Star Line acquired Frederick Leyland and Company in 1935 and operated it as
540-682: Is represented nationally and globally by the UK Chamber of Shipping , headquartered in London . British shipping registrars belong to the Red Ensign Group . Below is a list of some of the British shipping companies, past and present: Motor ship Engines for motorships were developed during the 1890s, and by the early 20th century, motorships began to cross the waters. The first diesel-powered motorships were launched in 1903:
594-570: The Ben Line , Cunard (Port Line) , Harrison Line and Ellerman Lines . Blue Star Line gradually moved towards containerization , ending its passenger services to South America in 1972. Blue Star took over ACT's Pacific Australia Container Express (PACE) line which operated between the USA and Australia. In 1982–83 Blue Star Line assisted in the defence of the Falkland Islands by managing
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#1732776500133648-721: The Blue Ensign which in Bermuda is only flown from civil government vessels such as ferry boats). House flags are personal and designed by a company. A house flag is displayed on a port halyard of a Yardarm . A number of notable Merchant Navy personnel include: Members of the UK Merchant Navy have been awarded the Victoria Cross , George Cross , George Medal , Distinguished Service Order , and Distinguished Service Cross for their actions while serving in
702-529: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency . Successful completion of the oral exam will result in the award of a certificate of competency. This is the international qualification, issued by the UK government which allows an officer to work in their qualified capacity on board a ship. Certificates are issued for different ranks and as such an officer will usually return to complete a subsequent series of studies until they reach
756-601: The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company , and other shipping lines that called at South American ports. The high prices charged for transport by these companies led the Vestey brothers to start to operate their own ships. They chartered their first ships from 1904, and began to buy their own ships from 1909 onwards. The Blue Star Line was officially inaugurated on 28 July 1911, initially using second-hand ships. They ordered their first new ship in 1914, and by
810-630: The Warsash Maritime School ). In the First and Second World Wars , the merchant service suffered heavy losses from German U-boat attacks. A policy of unrestricted warfare meant that merchant seafarers were at risk of attack from enemy ships. The tonnage lost to U-boats in the First World War was around 7,759,090 tons, and around 14,661 merchant seafarers were killed. In honour of the sacrifice made by merchant seafarers in
864-474: The barracks ship TEV Rangatira at Port Stanley . Also managed MV Avelona Star at the time under requisition of MOD. Blue Star Line was bought by P&O Nedlloyd in 1998, which acquired the name and most of the assets, with the exception of most of the reefer ships , which were kept by the Vestey Group under the name Albion Reefers , and then merged with Hamburg Süd 's reefer fleet under
918-469: The "Luxury Five". The five ships also had refrigerated holds to carry frozen meat from South America to Britain. The new service was a challenge to both foreign competitors and the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company , whose Royal Mail Ships had been the premier UK carrier of mail, passengers and some cargoes between Britain, Brazil and the River Plate for 75 years. RMSP Chairman Lord Kylsant called
972-568: The Blue Star ships "very keen competition" even though at the very same time his company introduced two larger and more luxurious new ocean liners for passenger and refrigerated cargo on the route, the 22,200 GRT Asturias (completed 1926) and Alcantara (completed 1927). In 1929 Blue Star added "Star" to the end of the name of each of its ships. This may have been partly to help distinguish Blue Star from Royal Mail Steam Packet Company , whose ships bore similar Spanish names. RMSP
1026-596: The British Merchant Navy numbered 1,054 ships. The Merchant Navy has been in existence for a significant period in English and British history, owing its growth to trade and imperial expansion. It can be dated back to the 17th century, when an attempt was made to register all seafarers as a source of labour for the Royal Navy in times of conflict. That registration of merchant seafarers failed, and it
1080-649: The East Coast of America to Australia and New Zealand. They were the America Star (ex ACT 3 ), Melbourne Star (ex ACT 4 ), Sydney Star (ex ACT 5 ) and Queensland Star (ex ACT 6 ). The last vessel trading, to carry the Blue Star funnel colours was the America Star , which was handed over to be broken up on 19 February 2003. P&O Nedlloyd formed Reederei Blue Star in 2002 as a ship management company, from which it chartered ships. P&O Nedlloyd
1134-554: The Falklands War and provided forty vessels, including transports, tankers and other vessels, with a total of 500,000 grt. The merchant ship SS Atlantic Conveyor , being used to ferry Harrier fighters and other aircraft to the South Atlantic, was lost during the conflict after being struck by an air-launched Exocet missile. The ship's captain, Ian North, and 11 other crew members died in the attack which constituted
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#17327765001331188-539: The First World War, George V granted the title "Merchant Navy" to the companies. In 1928 George V gave Edward, Prince of Wales the title of "Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets"; which he retained after his accession to the throne in January 1936 and relinquished only at his abdication that December. Since Edward VIII, the title has been held by the sovereigns George VI and Elizabeth II . When
1242-408: The Merchant Navy lay wreaths of remembrance alongside the armed forces in the annual Remembrance Day service on 11 November. Following many years of lobbying to bring about official recognition of the sacrifices made by merchant seafarers in the two world wars and since, Merchant Navy Day became an official day of remembrance on 3 September 2000. The merchant navy was also called upon to serve during
1296-464: The Merchant Navy. Recipients must be nominated by someone other than themselves, with at least two written letters of support and are normally required to have completed 20 years service in the Merchant Navy (although in exceptional circumstances it may be less). The British Merchant Navy consists of various private shipping companies. Over the decades many companies have come and gone, merged, changed their name or changed owners. British Shipping
1350-889: The Merchant Navy. Canadian Philip Bent , ex-British Merchant Navy, joined the British Army at the outbreak of World War I and won the Victoria Cross . Members of the Merchant Navy who served in either World War also received relevant campaign medals . In the Second World War many Merchant Navy members received the King's Commendation for Brave Conduct . Lloyd's of London awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea to 541 Merchant Navy personnel for their bravery in 1939–45. Many Royal Humane Society medals and awards have been conferred on Merchant Navy seafarers for acts of humanity in both war and peacetime. In September 2016
1404-588: The Navy, Army and Air Force. Upon you, the Nation depends for much of its foodstuffs and raw materials and for the transport of its troops overseas. You have a long and glorious history, and I am proud to bear the title "Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets". I know that you will carry out your duties with resolution and with fortitude, and that high chivalrous traditions of your calling are safe in your hands. God keep you and prosper you in your great task. During
1458-645: The North American routes previously operated by Donaldson Line in 1954. In 1957 Blue Star Line joined with three other shipping companies, the New Zealand Shipping Company , Port Line and Shaw, Savill & Albion to form the Crusader Shipping Company, and in 1965 entered a partnership with Italian shippers to form Calmeda S.p.A. di Nav, Cagliari. Blue Star Line now had global interests, with ports of call on
1512-566: The North Atlantic, to South America and to Australia and New Zealand. Despite maintaining its dominant position for many decades, the decline of the British Empire , the rise of the use of the flag of convenience , and foreign competition led to the decline of the merchant fleet. For example, in 1939 the Merchant Navy was the largest in the world with 33% of total tonnage. By 2012, the Merchant Navy – while still remaining one of
1566-781: The Pacific North American coast, in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South America and Italy. They were also one of the major shareholders, along with several other large shipping firms, in British United Airways . Blue Star Line divested itself of its holdings in British United Airways in 1968 and became one of the founding partners that year in Associated Container Transportation (ACT), along with
1620-533: The Royal Navy, the convoys successfully imported enough supplies to allow an Allied victory. Between 1941 and 1949, the SR Merchant Navy class steam locomotives were built in the UK. Each locomotive of the class was named after British shipping lines from the Second World War, principally those operating out of Southampton . In honour of the sacrifices made in both World Wars, representatives of
1674-421: The Second World War, German U-boats sank nearly 14.7 million tons of Allied shipping, which amounted to 2,828 ships (around two-thirds of the total allied tonnage lost). The United Kingdom alone suffered the loss of 11.7 million tons, which was 54% of the total Merchant Navy fleet at the outbreak of the Second World War. 32,000 merchant seafarers were killed aboard convoy vessels in the war, but along with
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1728-543: The UK Government introduced the Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service . The medal is awarded: "to those who are serving or have served in the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets of the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands for exemplary service and devotion to duty, rewarding those who have set an outstanding example to others." It is the first state award for meritorious service in the history of
1782-563: The UK, it is simply referred to as the Merchant Navy or MN. Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and the ships and crew are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a specialist agency of the UK Department of Transport. British merchant ships are registered under the UK or Red Ensign group ship registries. British Merchant Navy deck officers and ratings are certificated and trained according to STCW Convention and
1836-768: The UK. The Merchant Navy Welfare Board administers the MN fund for charitable support. Other charities include the Shipwrecked' Mariners Society , the Seafarer's Charity, the Scottish Nautical Welfare Society and the Scottish Shipping Benevolent Association. Ensigns are displayed at the stern of the vessel or displayed on the gaff , on a yardarm . Red Ensigns can be defaced, those can only be flown with
1890-645: The United Kingdom and the British Empire entered the Second World War in September 1939, George VI issued this message: In these anxious days, I would like to express to all Officers and Men and in the British Merchant Navy and the British Fishing Fleets my confidence in their unfailing determination to play their vital part in defence. To each one I would say: Yours is a task no less essential to my people's experience than that allotted to
1944-403: The bridge in uniform, under the direction of an officer, before taking exams to become a second mate . Historically, the composition of the crew on UK ships was diverse. This was a characteristic of the extant of the shipping companies trade, the extent of the British Empire and the availability of crew in different ports. One ship might have a largely all British crew, while another might have
1998-520: The company was managing for the Ministry of War Transport . Another 16 vessels, including three more Empire ships under Blue Star management, were seriously damaged. By the end of hostilities only 12 "Star" ships remained in the fleet. 646 Blue Star personnel, 272 passengers and 78 DEMS gunners were killed. Blue Star Line bought Lamport and Holt Line in 1944 and Booth Steamship Company in 1946, and ships were often transferred back and forth between
2052-416: The costs of a cadetship will be met by sponsorship from a UK shipping company. During the three years of training, cadets also go to sea, for a period of a year or more, usually spread across the cadetship. This affords a practical education, that along with the academic time in college prepares a candidate for a separate and final oral exam. This oral exam is carried out with a master mariner at an office of
2106-411: The first loss of a British merchant navy ship to an armed attack since the Second World War. Historically a person wishing to become a captain , or master prior to about 1969, had three choices: to attend one of the three elite naval schools from the age of 12, the fixed-base HMS Conway and HMS Worcester or Pangbourne Nautical College , which would automatically lead to an apprenticeship as
2160-622: The following month, and in August 1942 Melbourne Star and Brisbane Star served in Operation Pedestal . In February 1942 another ship of the same class, Empire Star , successfully evacuated an estimated 2,160 people from the fall of Singapore . Blue Star suffered heavy losses. 29 ships were sunk: a total of 309,390 gross register tons (GRT). They included all of the Luxury Five liners, and two Empire ships that
2214-889: The highest qualification. The first UK deck officer certificates of competency were issued in 1845, conducted then, as now, by a final oral exam with a master mariner. The training regime for officers is set out in the official syllabus of the Merchant Navy Training Board . This training still encompasses all of the traditional trades such as celestial navigation, ship stability, general cargo and seamanship, but now includes training in business, legislation, law, and computerisation for deck officers and marine engineering principles, workshop technology, steam propulsion, motor (diesel) propulsion, auxiliaries, mechanics, thermodynamics, engineering drawing, ship construction, marine electrics as well as practical workshop training for engineering officers. Traditionally and still now,
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2268-496: The largest in the world – held only 3% of total tonnage. In 2010 the Merchant Navy consisted of 504 UK registered ships of 1,000 gross tonnage (GT) or over. In addition, UK merchant marine interests possessed a further 308 ships registered in other countries and 271 foreign-owned ships were registered in the UK. In 2012 British merchant marine interests consisted of 1,504 ships of 100 GT or over. This included ships either directly UK-owned, parent-owned or managed by
2322-672: The late 19th and early 20th centuries, maritime education expanded to train merchant navy officers. For example, in 1855 Leith Nautical College provided training for seafarers in Scotland. Other maritime colleges developed in this period included the South Tyneside Marine and Technical College, founded 1861 (now the South Tyneside College ) and the Southampton School of Navigation, 1902 (now
2376-482: The name Star Reefers. Star Reefers was sold in July 2001 to Norwegian interests, and then subsequently merged with NYK Group as NYK Star Reefers Ltd. The Blue Star Line ships bought by P&O Nedlloyd, which included those operated as part of ACT, continued in service with P&O Nedlloyd under Blue Star Line names and liveries. Some of the original Blue Star vessels sold to P&O Nedlloyd traded until February 2003 on
2430-465: The outbreak of the First World War were operating twelve refrigerated cargo ships. These were initially prefixed 'Brod', e.g. Brodfield , Brodholme and Brodland . Ships of the company were identifiable by their red funnels with black tops and narrow white and black bands, with a white circle with blue five-pointed star on the red background. Their hull colours were either black or black with
2484-629: The radio officer (colloquially known as 'sparks') replaced by changes in technology and the requirement under the STCW Convention for deck officers to hold individual certification in the GMDSS system. Electro-technical officers (ETO) also serve aboard some ships and are trained to fix and maintain the more complex systems. In 2023, the UK Merchant Navy had 10,930 certificated officers, 10,180 ratings, 1,450 merchant navy cadets and 1,540 other officers. Merchant navy related charities are active in
2538-445: The ships ratings are supervised by the bosun , as overseen by a responsible deck officer, usually the chief mate . A ship may also have different sub-departments, such as the galley, radio department or hospitality services, overseen by a chief cook, radio officer or chief steward. Many of these roles have now changed, as ships crews have become smaller in commercial shipping. On most ships the radio department has disappeared, along with
2592-399: The subsidiary companies. Another building programme was enacted to replace wartime losses, supplemented by the purchase or hire of existing ships including Empire ships such as Empire Castle and Empire Strength from the Ministry of War Transport . In 1952 Austasia Line was formed to operate services between Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia, while Blue Star Line took over
2646-474: The syllabus of the Merchant Navy Training Board in maritime colleges and other training institutes around the UK. King George V bestowed the title of "Merchant Navy" on the British merchant shipping fleets following their service in the First World War ; a number of other nations have since adopted the title. Previously it had been known as the Mercantile Marine or Merchant Service , although
2700-430: The term "Merchant Navy" was already informally used from the 19th century. The British Merchant Navy was historically one of the largest ship registries and source of crew in the world, with 33% of global tonnage registered in 1939. However, since the mid 20th century, the number of shipowners, ships, officers and crew have declined dramatically as a result of globalisation and the rise of flags of convenience. As of 2023,
2754-846: Was an old company with a distinguished history, but had got into difficulties and collapsed amid financial scandal in 1932. In 1935 Harland and Wolff in Belfast launched Imperial Star , the first of a new class of refrigerated cargo motor ships designed to carry frozen meat on Blue Star's regular route from Australia and New Zealand to the UK. By the end of 1939 Harland and Wolff had completed six Imperial Star -class ships and Cammell Laird in Birkenhead had completed three. By 1939 Blue Star Line operated 39 ships, all of which gave Second World War service. In 1940 an Imperial Star -class ship being built by Burmeister & Wain in Denmark
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#17327765001332808-569: Was bought by AP Moller Maersk Group in 2005 and merged into its operations to form Maersk Line . Reederei Blue Star continues to operate as part of Maersk Line. On 18 June 2009 Komrowski took over the ship management company Reederei Blue Star GmbH, Hamburg, from Maersk Ship Management Holding B.V., Rotterdam. As of July 2012, the Komrowski Group-owned Blue Star merged with Komrowski Befrachtungskontor and E.R. Schiffahrt to form The Blue Star Holding. The Titanic II ,
2862-729: Was captured in the German invasion of Denmark and completed as a Kriegsmarine submarine tender . Because the Imperial Star -class were refrigerated and in merchant shipping terms relatively fast, several sailed in high-risk convoys to relieve the siege of Malta . Melbourne Star and Sydney Star took part in Operation Substance in July 1941, Imperial Star and Dunedin Star were in Operation Halberd
2916-583: Was not successfully implemented until 1835. The merchant fleet grew over successive years to become the world's foremost merchant fleet, benefiting considerably from trade with British possessions in India and the Far East . The lucrative trades in sugar , contraband opium to China, spices , and tea (carried by ships such as the Cutty Sark ) helped to entrench this dominance in the 19th century. In
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