Given the higher risks, we might wonder what would make a person choose the Merchant Navy rather than the Canadian Navy.

For some, the Merchant Navy provided an opportunity to contribute to the war effort after being rejected by the military, which recruited only men and women in good physical condition aged 18 to 45.

For others, it was the monetary aspect that made them choose the Merchant Navy. The wages were higher because they received danger pay, making their salary $30 per month higher than an able seaman. However, this was not true of higher ranking positions in the Navy.