UNITED STATES NATIONAL MARITIME DAY, MAY 22, 2026

Stéphane Ouellette • May 22, 2026

UNITED STATES NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

MAY 22, 2026

"On United States Maritime Day, we pause to honour the generations of American merchant mariners whose steadfast service has been vital to the nation's strength, prosperity, and security. From the perilous convoys of the First and Second World Wars, and the Korea conflict, to the complex global supply chains of today, these civilian mariners have quietly and courageously upheld the lifelines of commerce and freedom. Often serving in the shadows of history, their contributions have sustained military operations, advanced humanitarian aid, and fueled the global economy—all while facing extraordinary risks at sea.

"As we reflect on their enduring legacy, we reaffirm our collective duty to recognize, support, and preserve the stories of these unsung heroes. Let this day serve not only as a remembrance of the past but as a renewed call to elevate maritime service in the national consciousness. The MNCTP stands proudly with the United States in saluting these brave men and women who have shaped our world from the helm of every vessel.”

– Stéphane Ouellette, President & CEO, MNCTP

OTTAWA, MAY 22, 2026 – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), observed National Maritime Day in the United States of America by reflecting on the enduring legacy, sacrifice, and global importance of the maritime community.

National Maritime Day commemorates the historic voyage of the S.S. Savannah, which departed Savannah, Georgia, for Liverpool, England, on May 22, 1819, becoming the first steam-powered vessel to complete a transoceanic crossing. The observance was formally established by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933, to recognize America’s rich seafaring history and the vital role of the maritime industry in peace, war, commerce, security, and national prosperity.

That legacy was tested profoundly during the Second World War. On September 3, 1939, the very day the United Kingdom and France declared war on Germany, the passenger ship S.S. Athenia was torpedoed by U-30 while on patrol northwest of Ireland. On board were 1,103 passengers, including nearly 500 Jewish refugees, 469 Canadians, 311 Americans, 72 British passengers, and 315 crew members. Tragically, 98 passengers and 19 crew were killed, including 54 Canadians and 28 Americans. Among those lost was Canadian stewardess Hannah Baird. The sinking of the Athenia claimed the first Canadian and American civilian lives of the Second World War and stands as a solemn reminder of the courage, vulnerability, and sacrifice of those who served and travelled by sea.

During the Second World War, more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine sailed the treacherous oceans of the world. More than 6,835 were killed and over 11,000 wounded. In addition, 604 Merchant Mariners were taken prisoner of war, with 61 dying in POW camps. Canada, too, paid a profound price, with more than 2,199 Canadian Merchant Navy seamen killed during the two World Wars.

Maritime Day is therefore not only a celebration of the United States’ rich maritime heritage, but also a solemn occasion to honour the generations of merchant mariners who have served in every war and conflict from the Revolutionary War of 1775 to the present day. In times of peace, the U.S. maritime industry continues to play an essential role, employing more than 260,000 Americans, providing over $29 billion in annual wages, and moving more than 100 million passengers and $400 billion worth of goods between U.S. ports each year.

Globally, seaborne trade accounts for approximately 90 percent of the world’s food, fuel, raw materials, and manufactured goods delivered to every corner of the globe. This worldwide shipping network is supported by more than 100,000 commercial vessels and 2,800 ports across 150 countries. More than 1.5 million seafarers operate, maintain, and repair these massive ships while facing rough seas, piracy, war zones, and long periods away from their families.

Seafaring remains one of the most perilous and indispensable professions on Earth. It represents one of the world’s most important and widespread concentrations of human effort, essential to global security, defence, economic stability, and shared prosperity. Through National Maritime Day, we honour not only the American Merchant Marine, but all who have carried the burden of service at sea — past, present, and future.

HISTORIC ATTENDANCE OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES HONORING ALLIED MERCHANT NAVY AND AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS

NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA

SEPTEMBER 2, 2005

At the National War Memorial in Ottawa, on September 2, 2005, the Merchant Navy Veterans Day of Remembrance welcomed distinguished foreign representatives to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the Allied Merchant Navy and American Merchant Marine. Among the attendees (from left) were His Excellency David Wilkins, United States Ambassador to Canada, and Capt. John McClain, US Naval Attaché, highlighting the historic global recognition of the sacrifices and contributions of these courageous veterans.

A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON THEIR NATIONAL MARITIME DAY

MAY 22, 2016

“Since the early days of the United States, the Merchant Marine has been the foundation of our economic security serving as our “fourth arm of defense” in both peace and war. As the United States grew and US ships carried American innovation and craftsmanship around the globe, we have relied on Merchant Mariners to safeguard their travels. They have been essential in bringing food to the world’s hungry and delivering supplies to our brave men and women overseas in times of war. They have done so much for the United States and on National Maritime Day we take this opportunity to honor their service and sacrifice.”

– Congresswoman Janice Hahn, U.S. Representative for California's, 44th congressional district

“We are especially pleased to be honored by our Canadian neighbors. Specifically, we thank the Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project for not only recognizing the U.S. Merchant Marine, but also for remembering the Merchant Navies from all Allied nations of WWII.

“Maritime Day is a special holiday which recognizes the rich seafaring history of the United States. Although our Merchant Marine has always played a crucial economic role, it is their wartime service that we most recall each year on May 22nd. The American Merchant Marine has been visible in every war and conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War and right up through the ongoing War on Terror.

“However, it is the Greatest Generation of Merchant Mariners that deserve the spotlight. With unspeakable sacrifice and loss, the WWII MM built "steel bridges" across the oceans to deliver the war materials needed for the Allies to ultimately prevail; the war simply could not have been won without them. The bottom line: In peace and war, the United States Merchant Marine has always answered the call.”

– Captain Christopher J. Edyvean, National President, American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV)

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of the United States of America for over a decade of support excellence to our Allied Merchant Navy and American Merchant Marine Veterans.

“It was on Friday, September 2, 2005, when His Excellency David Wilkins (United States Ambassador) and Capt. John McClain (US Naval Attaché), along with other world representatives, attended the Merchant Navy Veterans Day event, and participated in our sacred wreath laying ceremony, at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.”

– Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, MNCTP

OTTAWA, TODAY – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), thanked the United States of America for over a decade of support excellence in acknowledging and commemorating the sacrifices and contributions made by Allied Merchant Navy and American Merchant Marine Veterans. Mr. Ouellette also provided his best wishes to American Merchant Marine Veterans on their National Maritime Day that took place on May 22, 2016.

It was on the historic day of May 22, 1819, when the first American steamship the SS Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia to Liverpool, England. This was the first transoceanic voyage fueled by steam. National Maritime Day was created by the United States Congress on May 20, 1933.

September 2, 2005, was the first time in Canadian history (as per the above) that such levels of national and international recognition were achieved for our forgotten heroes of the Allied Merchant Navies, which has now grown to include the American Merchant Marine.

Other notable attendees were: the Apostolic Nunciature in Canada, the Australian High Commission, the British High Commission, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, the Embassy of France, the Embassy of Iceland, the Embassy of Ireland, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the New Zealand High Commission.

Critical to preserving our national and international mosaics of heritage and culture, the MNCTP aims to bridge the gap between the present day shipping industry and its glorious and predominantly forgotten past. In this way, one of the MNCTP’s strategic objectives is to integrate and promote the critical services provided by the “modern trade-and-travel-by-sea” community to international security and to the global economy.

During World War II, over 6,835 American Merchant Marine were killed, in addition to over 11,000 being wounded, and the taking of 604 prisoners of war, of whom 61 died in POW camps, out of the more than 250,000 Merchant Marine that sailed. Over 2,199 Canadian Merchant Navy Seaman were killed in both WWI and WWII. The American and Canadian death statistics do not reflect global losses that were experienced by other Merchant Marine and Allied Merchant Navy countries.

Contact Information:

Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP)

Mr. Stéphane Ouellette

President and Chief Executive Officer

Ottawa ON Canada

Tel: 1-613-716-4137

E-mail: alliedmerchantnavy@bell.net

Website: www.alliedmerchantnavy.com

American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV)

Captain Christopher J. Edyvean

National President

P.O. Box 41

Hurley, WI 54534

Tel: 1-715-862-2531

E-mail: cjedyvean@hotmail.com

Website: www.ammv.us

Office of Congresswoman Janice Hahn

Mr. Jayson Braude

Legislative Assistant

Washington DC USA

Tel: 1-202-225-8220

E-mail: Jayson.Braude@mail.house.gov

Website: www.hahn.house.gov

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OpUNITY: OUTREACH INITIATIVE:

AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS (AMMV)

· MR. STÉPHANE OUELLETTE ADDRESS TO AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS AT THE 2015 AGM IN NEVADA

AUDIO FILE

FIRST TIME ATTENDANCE OF AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS

MERCHANT NAVY VETERANS DAY

NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

(ABOVE) MR. MORRIS HARVEY, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE VETERANS (AMMV) LAYING A WREATH AT THE NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL (OTTAWA) AND (BELOW) ADDRESSING MN VETERANS, DIPLOMATIC CORPS, AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND GUESTS AT MERCHANT VETERANS DAY IN SEPTEMBER 2014, AT THE LORD ELGIN HOTEL