Noun
merchant navy (plural merchant navies)
civilian naval fleet dedicated to the sea transport of goods and merchandise
We had not had time to establish ourselves as a double act before Ernie joined the Merchant Navy. I teamed up with the brother of the late Dave Morris. Eric Morecambe
After passing his examinations in 1752, he soon progressed through the merchant navy ranks, starting with his promotion in that year to mate aboard the collier brig Friendship. Source: Internet
A ministerial order of January 1970 extended protection in cases of partial unemployment to home workers, while an ordinance of August 1970 fixed the conditions of health necessary for service in the merchant navy. Source: Internet
An individual nation's fleet and the people that crew it are referred to as its merchant navy or merchant marine. Source: Internet
Polish Merchant Navy contributed about 137,000 BRT to Allied shipping; losing 18 ships (with capacity of 76,000 BRT) and over 200 sailors during the war. Source: Internet
To counter this, the crewmen were issued with an 'MN' lapel badge to indicate they were serving in the Merchant Navy. Source: Internet