thumb|Stained glass to the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, Guildhall, London

The Honourable Company of Master Mariners is one of the livery companies of the City of London. While the other livery companies are entitled to the style Worshipful,

The Honourable Company ranks seventy-eighth in the order of precedence for livery companies. Its motto is Loyalty and Service. The organisation nominally has the right to allow two of its Masters to serve as nautical assessors in the Admiralty Court.

The company works with other industry organisations such as the International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations. This includes the organisations of lectures and command seminars. In February 1928, Edward, Prince of Wales was elected Master of the company. The company was made an official Livery Company by the City of London in 1932, making it the first new Livery Company to be formed since 1746. In June 1954, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was made a Master of the company.

Between 1988 and 1990, Charles, Prince of Wales was Master of the company. From 2005 to 2007, Anne, Princess Royal served as Master of the company. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh was appointed Master in 2025.

Clerks

  • 1926–1959: W. T. C. Smith Esq
  • 1959–1967: M. H. Disney Esq
  • 1968–1991: D. H. W. Field Esq
  • 1991–2002: J. A. V. Maddock Esq
  • 2002–2005: Cdr I. S. Gregory RN
  • 2005–2008: Cdr R. W. W. Craig RN
  • 2009–2020: Cdre A. Menzies RN
  • 2020–2025: S. Hanlon
  • 2025–present: M. Jenkins

HQS Wellington

thumb|HQS Wellington

Between 1948 and 2023, instead of the usual livery hall, the Honourable Company of Master Mariners had a headquarters ship, HQS Wellington, moored on the Thames at Victoria Embankment. The Company purchased the sloop from the Admiralty in 1947 following donations from their members. She was subsequently converted for use as a floating livery hall in Chatham Dockyard.

On display on the ship was the steering wheel of the ship Otago, the Master Joseph Conrad having sailed on the Otago. Following her destruction in 1931, the wheel was presented to the Honourable Company.

Coat of arms

References

  • The Master Mariners' Company
  • The Marine Society