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January 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the first 2026 edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter. We’re so grateful for your continued support and we’ve packed this edition with exciting updates and ways you can make a real difference to seafarers' lives. We hope you enjoy reading it!
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
As we move into the new year, many of us are settling back into routines at home, but thousands of seafarers remain isolated and exhausted, far from their families.
Seafarers are key workers who move 90% of global trade, yet their struggles often go unrecognised. Your generosity this winter and into 2026 can be the turning point in someone’s darkest hour.
Every gift helps keep seafarers afloat. By donating to The Seafarers’ Charity, you fund urgent health and wellbeing support for seafarers and their families, including mental health care, crisis response, and financial guidance delivered by trusted maritime welfare charities.
Sailing the World for Seafarers: Rod Cappell’s Clipper Challenge
Rod Cappell, Director at Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd, is taking on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2025/26 to raise funds for The Seafarers’ Charity.
This month, Rod has joined his team to race from Australia to China, visit their boat’s home port in Tongyeong, South Korea, cross the North Pacific, and sail US coast-to-coast through the Panama Canal. Racing across the Pacific will be the toughest challenge of his life, but Rod is motivated by the knowledge that many seafarers face hardship without support.
Here’s to a safe voyage for Rod and a successful, impactful 2026 for seafarers everywhere!
Sea Views S2E1: US Coast Guard Rescue Insights
In the first episode of Season 2 of Sea Views, host Julia Gosling speaks with Matt Baer, retired US Coast Guard captain and Director of Emergency Response at Gallagher Marine Systems, about offshore search and rescue, comparing UK and US approaches and the technologies that save lives at sea. From vessel-to-vessel assistance and tracking systems to emergency beacons, aerial surveillance and drones, this episode explores what works, what fails and lessons for both professional and recreational seafarers.
Supported by CHIRP Maritime and funded by The Seafarers’ Charity, it’s essential listening for anyone interested in boating safety and seafarer wellbeing.
New Year, New Challenge: Elevate Your Impact for Seafarers!
Start the new year with a new challenge by taking on an extraordinary adventure. From 3–5 July, conquer 24 Peaks in the stunning Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cover up to 33 miles with a 13,000 ft ascent over two days, an unforgettable test of endurance, teamwork and determination. Make 2026 the year you push your limits while making a lasting difference for seafarers and their families!
Law Firm Wikborg Rein to Provide Free Legal Support for The Seafarers’ Charity
We’re thrilled to announce a new pro bono partnership with law firm Wikborg Rein. Their London office will provide free legal support to help us continue improving the lives of those who work, or have worked, at sea.
The partnership officially launched on 12 January with a meet-and-greet between WR’s London team and our leadership team.
This collaboration will strengthen our ability to operate effectively, engage with stakeholders, and deliver tangible impact for seafarers in need and their families.
CHIRP Maritime and The Seafarers’ Charity Sign MoU to Strengthen Maritime Safety
We are delighted to share that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on initiatives aimed at improving maritime safety. The partnership will focus on sharing knowledge and content, combining strengths in communications and advocacy, using data to support evidence-led initiatives, and working with like-minded partners for safer seas.
Throughout 2026, we’ll meet monthly to review progress and share updates. The Seafarers’ Charity will also consider grant applications to support agreed initiatives.
Applications for Our First Grant Round of 2026 Are Now Open
Visit the 'Apply for Funding' section on our website for grants from The Seafarers’ Charity, as well as the International Fund for Fishing Safety. Last year we awarded more than £2.7m in grants to 53 delivery partners around the world.
For this grant round we are keen to boost funding to our 'Social Justice' and 'Safer Working Lives at Sea' strategic outcomes. If you know of any great organisations running impactful projects with this lens we would love to hear from them at impact@theseafarerscharity.org.
An example of this is our recent support of NeurodiversAtSea. In collaboration with the Seafarers’ Hospital Society they are helping neurodiverse seafarers achieve proper medical diagnoses which are needed to access important career support. Read more about this innovative work here.
Applications will be considered in March and the deadline is Friday, 6 February.
International Fund for Fishing Safety Marks Two Years of Global Impact
The International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) is celebrating two years of transformative progress in improving fisher safety worldwide. Since its launch, IFFS has committed £670,000 to fund 18 practical, locally-led safety projects across 13 countries and regions, directly benefiting nearly 160,000 fishers.
A major milestone this year was FISH Platform gaining NGO consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the first fisher representative body to do so, ensuring fishers’ voices are heard in shaping global maritime safety standards.
International Fund for Fishing Safety Secures $400,000 to Expand into Seven New Regions
IFFS has secured $400,000 from Oak Foundation to expand its work promoting fisher safety into seven new regions. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates 32,000 fishers die each year, and three quarters of the world’s 39 million have never received formal safety training.
The new funding will support IFFS’s expansion over the next three years into Ghana, South Korea, the Philippines, Chile, Peru, Taiwan, and Senegal, strengthening local safety interventions and empowering fishers to advocate for stronger international safety standards.
