THE role played by merchant seamen in Australia's major conflicts is being remembered at memorials around the country today to mark Merchant Navy Day.
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A wreath laying at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance at 2pm was planned for VIctoria, while in NSW Shipping Australia chief executive Commodore Rod Nairn was guest speaker at a memorial service at Mosman War Memorial.
At least 3500 Australian merchant seamen lost their lives in WWII, and 270 during the Vietnam War.
Queensland Vindicatrix Association president Arthur Renforth said about 150 merchant seamen had died in 19 wrecks off the coast of NSW.
Merchant ships carried vital supplies and troops but were vulnerable to enemy attack because they were generally slow, poorly armed, and often carried dangerous or vital cargoes.
Merchant ships were attacked within sight of the Australian coastline, with the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur off the Queensland coast one of the most notorious examples.
