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July 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the July 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
Merchant Navy Day 2026
This Merchant Navy Day, on Thursday 3 September, we are inviting people, organisations and communities across the UK to Fly the Red Ensign in recognition of the vital contribution merchant seafarers make to our everyday lives.
Launched by The Seafarers' Charity in 2015, the Fly the Red Ensign campaign has grown into a nationwide celebration, recognising the courage and dedication of merchant seafarers past and present. The Red Ensign, affectionately known as the 'Red Duster', is now flown at historic landmarks, government buildings, parish and town council offices, and village greens across the UK.
Around 95% of the UK's trade is transported by sea, underlining the vital importance of the maritime sector to everyday life in the UK. Merchant Navy Day is an opportunity to recognise the dedication and service of the men and women of the UK Merchant Navy, who continue a proud tradition of supporting the nation's economy, security and resilience.
Congratulations to everyone who conquered the 24 Peaks Challenge!
From 3–5 July, nearly 100 supporters from across the maritime industry took on our flagship 24 Peaks Challenge in the Lake District, raising almost £80,000 to support seafarers in need and their families. Battling rain, mud and challenging terrain, teams showed incredible determination, teamwork and resilience throughout the weekend. We would like to give special recognition to our 2026 award winners:
- Top Fundraiser: Robert Wester
- Top Fundraising Team: TMA Logistics
- Fastest Team: Carisbrooke (Jack Dallamore, Vitalii Chaika, Michael Wester and Paul Cromie)
- Spirit of the 24 Peaks: Windy Friday (WIND, Friday Shipbrokers and Draftec)
- Muddiest Boot Award: Ashley Group
- The Anchor Award: Maersk
- The Unsinkable Spirit Award: BMT
- The Ship's Log Award: Michael Wester
A huge thank you to everyone who took part, donated, volunteered or supported the challenge and to YHA Ambleside for being such a welcoming base throughout the weekend.
Relive the highlights by browsing our Facebook photo album, and don't miss TradeWinds correspondent Holly Birkett's event report from this year's challenge.
Fishing Animateurs: on the side of fishers
This month we're shining a spotlight on the Fishing Animateur project, delivered by Cornwall Rural Community Charity. Supported by The Seafarers' Charity, the project helps fishers across England and Wales access funding for safer vessels, improved equipment and more resilient livelihoods by removing the complexity of grant applications.
Learn how the team is working directly with fishing communities to unlock vital investment, improve safety at sea and support the long term sustainability of the fishing industry.
Celebrating Day of the Seafarer 2026
To mark Day of the Seafarer 2026, we launched 'Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return', a new animated film series designed to help seafarers recognise the warning signs of abandonment, understand their rights and know what to do if they find themselves at risk.
With seafarer abandonment reaching record levels in 2025, the three part series provides practical guidance for seafarers and their families, while highlighting the human impact of abandonment and the importance of protecting those who keep global trade moving. The remaining films and downloadable resources will be released over the coming weeks.
A Conversation on Seafarer Welfare
On the International Maritime Organization's Day of the Seafarer, our Business Development Director, Temi Binitie, spoke to Seatrade Maritime News about the challenges facing today's seafarers and why protecting their welfare has never been more important.
The conversation explores the realities of life at sea, the pressures faced by those who keep global trade moving, and the need to ensure seafarers receive the support they deserve. Temi also discusses how The Seafarers' Charity is driving change through funding, advocacy and collaboration across the maritime sector.
Annual National Service for Seafarers 2026
Join us on Wednesday 14 October at St Paul's Cathedral for the Annual National Service for Seafarers (ANSS), organised by The Seafarers' Charity and Trinity House. The service gives thanks for the vital contribution of seafarers across every maritime sector, including the Merchant and Royal Navies, fishing fleets, cruise ships, ferries and commercial vessels.
First held in 1905, the ANSS is a longstanding tradition that honours those currently serving, remembers seafarers of the past, and pays tribute to lives lost at sea. It brings together seafarers, their families, maritime organisations and supporters for a shared moment of remembrance.
The service is free to attend and open to all. For more information, please email anss@theseafarerscharity.org
Maritime Safety Week 2026
To mark Maritime Safety Week 2026, we took a look at several of our initiatives helping to make life at sea safer for everyone, showcasing the projects and partnerships improving safety across the maritime sector.
From tackling seafarer abandonment and improving psychological safety to supporting fishing safety and wellbeing, we highlighted the work helping protect those who work at sea and strengthen a culture of safety.
