merchant navy BrE
merchant marine AmE

At 17, however, he got the opportunity to see the world with the merchant navy.

He was the son of a master in the merchant navy.

At the age of 13 he joined the merchant navy.

He was employed by the merchant navy between 1880 and 1890.

He first went to sea in 1895 at the age of 18 by joining the merchant navy.

In 1943, he joined the merchant navy serving until 1947.

This was followed by a spell in the merchant navy.

This offer was turned down, and she continued to operate as part of the merchant navy.

He served overseas in the merchant navy from 1941 to 1942.

He joined the merchant navy and became an engineering officer.