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April 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the April 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
GOOD LUCK to our London Marathon 2026 runners!
The countdown is on! On Sunday 26 April, our 24 #TeamSeafarersKGFS runners will take to the streets of London for the TCS London Marathon, raising vital funds to support seafarers in need and their families. This iconic event attracts runners from all over the world, and it's inspiring to see these individuals commit to making a difference in the lives of seafarers and their loved ones.
For these runners, the London Marathon is more than just a physical challenge, it’s an opportunity to create real impact during times of need. We thank them for their support and wish them the very best of luck on the day.
Unveiling our 2025 Impact Report
In 2025, the support of our donors helped us reach more than 439,000 seafarers and their families in the UK and globally through our network of delivery partners. Thanks to our generous supporters' help, we were able to:
- Award 59 grants totalling nearly £2.7m
- Support 44 organisations
Find out more about the global impact our charity had last year in the new 2025 Impact Report. There, you can find more information on our grants as well as first-hand case studies of the amazing work your support allowed us to fund.
Announced as Official Charity Partner for Posidonia 2026
We are proud to announce that The Seafarers’ Charity has been named an official charity partner for Posidonia Events 2026.
Taking place 1-5 June in Athens, Posidonia is one of the world’s leading maritime exhibitions, bringing together thousands of industry professionals. This milestone reflects our growing international engagement and highlights that seafarer welfare is vital to a sustainable, resilient maritime sector.
Our Business Development Director, Temi Binitie, will be on the ground, connecting with partners and championing seafarers’ welfare. We’ll also take part in the Posidonia Games, including the running event in Piraeus, raising funds and awareness alongside WOMEN TOGETHER.
Supporting Seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz
An estimated 20,000 seafarers are currently stuck in the Persian Gulf aboard 3,000 vessels, facing immediate threats to their safety.
In response to the severe challenges facing seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz, we are highlighting our delivery partners providing vital frontline support at this critical time including: ISWAN, The Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, and Sailors’ Society.
These challenges go beyond immediate safety risks and include hypervigilance, increased stress and fatigue, no crew changes meaning prolonged time away from loved ones, dwindling food and water supplies, and pressure on seafarers to sail into the conflict zone. If you are a seafarer affected, or know someone who is, help is available.
New Research Highlights Gambling Risks for Seafarers
The new research paper, "Understanding and addressing gambling harms among seafarers in the UK," brings much-needed attention to an under-researched area affecting maritime communities.
The report explores the potential risks and impact of gambling harms among UK seafarers. It was published by the University of Bristol's Personal Finance Research Centre, a leading research centre that has helped shape public policy by advising government departments and regulators for more than 25 years.
The Seafarers' Charity has funded this research; it highlights the important role that maritime welfare charities can play in the early identification, prevention, and support of those affected by gambling harms.
Unspoken: Addressing Sexual Misconduct at Sea
Sexual misconduct at sea is widely recognised as a serious issue, yet it often remains hidden due to stigma, isolation, and a lack of shared data across the maritime industry. These factors make it difficult for seafarers to speak up, leading to significant underreporting.
Unspoken is an initiative backed by the All Aboard Alliance and funded by The Seafarers’ Charity. It invites seafarers to anonymously share their experiences of sexual misconduct at sea. These stories will help build a clearer understanding of the challenges faced and how incidents are currently addressed. The insights will support the development of the industry’s first global framework, helping maritime companies respond more consistently and effectively and strengthen prevention measures.
National Fishing Remembrance Day 2026: Remembering Fishers Lost at Sea
Fishing remains one of the most dangerous professions in the UK, with around 11,000 people working in challenging and unpredictable conditions.
National Fishing Remembrance Day 2026, taking place on Sunday 10 May, is a day of reflection and commemoration for those who have lost their lives in the UK fishing industry.
For coastal communities across the UK, the day serves as a focal point for remembrance and connection with the fishing industry, reinforcing the importance of improving safety standards, working practices, and support for crews and their families.
ROVs Explained: Offshore Jobs, Deep Sea Operations & the Future of Subsea Technology
In this new episode of Sea Views, we hear from Andrew Howie, founder of Pioneer Subsea and former naval submariner, about remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and their vital role in offshore and maritime operations.
From subsea cable installation and deepwater surveys to salvage missions and unexploded ordnance detection, ROVs allow humans to work where divers can’t. Andy explains the technology, life offshore, and why operating ROVs is far more than just piloting a robot.
Sea Views podcast, supported by CHIRP Maritime and funded by The Seafarers’ Charity.
Many congratulations to our charity's vice-president, Dame Sarah Mullally, on her official enthronement as The Archbishop of Canterbury.
We wish Her Grace every success in her ministry as Archbishop!
