Allied Merchant Mariners

What is an allied mariner?

An allied mariner is a person who:

• was during the period of World War 2:

1. a master, officer or seaman employed under agreement, or an apprentice employed under indenture:

• in sea-going service on a [glossary:ship:] that was engaged in trading; or
• employed in a lighthouse tender or pilot ship; or
• employed in sea-going service on a ship operated by, or on behalf of, a foreign country; or

(b)              employed as a pilot; and

• was at any time during the course of that employment on a ship that was:

•    operating from a port in Australia or a Commonwealth or Allied country; or
•    engaged in trading with Australia or a Commonwealth or Allied country; or
•    engaged in providing assistance or support to the Defence Force, or to the forces, or any part of the forces, of a Commonwealth or Allied country; or
•    engaged in providing assistance or support to Australia or a Commonwealth or Allied country.

Automatic disqualification

Mariners who were employed on ships operated by the enemy or engaged in trading with the enemy are excluded from the definition of an allied mariner and are therefore not entitled to benefits under the VEA.     

Detention by the enemy

An allied mariner detained by the enemy, will have rendered qualifying service.     

Danger from hostile forces

An allied mariner has rendered qualifying service if they served in an area that would have entitled them to the award of a campaign medal if they had been a member of a Defence Force and incurred danger from hostile forces of the enemy.