The Statue was unveiled by Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
There is also a dedication to the fishing fleets which continued to fish even during conflict.
The new statue pays tribute to the Merchant Navy and fishing fleet of the United Kingdom and honours the lives of merchant seafarers and fishermen who have been lost at sea
A new statue is keeping watch on Plymouth Hoe in the form of a monument dedicated to the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets.
Sitting between the Naval War Memorial and the monument celebrating the tri-centenary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the new structure pays tribute to the Merchant Navy and fishing fleet of the United Kingdom and honours the lives of merchant seafarers and fishermen who have been lost at sea in times of both peace and war.
More than 30,000 merchant seamen lost their lives during World War Two alone - a death rate that was higher proportionately than in any of the armed forces.
The Merchant Navy played a vital role in both world wars transporting food, materials, soldiers and equipment overseas.
Made up entirely of civilians and volunteers, just like those who served in the Royal Navy, the seafarers faced not only the dangers of enemy attack but the hazards of the elements as well.
Sitting between the Naval War Memorial and the monument celebrating the tri-centenary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the new monument will recognise the importance of the Merchant Navy and fishing fleet to the United Kingdom and celebrate the lives of merchant seafarers and fishermen who have been lost at sea in times of both peace and war.
The memorial is made up of three blocks of granite, weighing a total of 14 tonnes, forming a plinth on top of which stands the Watchkeeper statue, designed and cast by Stephen Melton of Spacer Studios, Ramsgate.
Two plaques on the monument are dedicated to both the Merchant Navy and the fishing fleet.
They read: “Whenever Britain has had to defend itself from invasion or in other conflicts, the merchant Navy has unequivocally supported the nation by transporting supplies of food, essential goods, fuel, military equipment and personnel.
"These endeavours enabled the population of the United Kingdom, its allies and our armed forces from being starved into submission and therefore able to defeat the aggressors.”
“In both world wars the (fishing) fleets played vital roles in supporting the nation by continuing to maintain a much-needed supply of fish protein. Additionally, they provided boats and crews for the hazardous duties of minesweeping and coastal defence.
The new monument will recognise the importance of the Merchant Navy and fishing fleet to the United Kingdom and celebrate the lives of merchant seafarers and fishermen who have been lost at sea in times of both peace and war (Image: Penny Cross)
For the monument committee, it is the realisation of a goal almost five years in the making at a cost of some £200,000.
The committee members represent a broad cross-section of the maritime community associated with both local and national bodies, including, amongst others, The Merchant Navy Association, Plymouth & SW Merchant Seafarers Association, Seafarers UK, The Nautical Institute, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, The South West Company of Mariners, the Watch Ashore, RFA Association and Plymouth University.
It also communicates with many other interested parties, such as fishermen, local Harbourmasters, RNLI and the Royal Navy as well as Plymouth City Council and is chaired by Vivien Foster, National President of the Merchant Navy Association who lives in the South West.
The dedication of the monument will formally take place on Merchant Navy Day, September 3 2019, marking the first time that an annual memorial service dedicated to members of the “fourth service” will be held on The Hoe from its previous site on the Barbican.
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