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June 2026
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the June 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
The Seafarers' Charity 109th Annual Meeting
On Wednesday 10 June 2026, The Seafarers’ Charity welcomed delivery partners, supporters and representatives from across the maritime sector to its 109th Annual Meeting, held at Lloyd’s Register Foundation's headquarters, London.
Chaired by Paul Butterworth, Chair of Trustees, the meeting reflected on the charity’s work and achievements during 2025, addressed governance matters, celebrated partner contributions, and looked ahead to emerging challenges for seafarers and their families worldwide.
Our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, reflected on the increasingly complex global environment facing seafarers and the importance of collaboration across the maritime sector, while the keynote address from Dr Ruth Boumphrey, Chief Executive of Lloyd’s Register Foundation, highlighted evolving risks in global shipping and the continued need to invest in safety and resilience. We were also delighted to receive a fundraising presentation from University Royal Navy Unit Bristol, whose support reflects the commitment of the next generation of maritime professionals to seafarers’ welfare.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, supporters, partners and delivery partners for making the day such a success.
Good luck to everyone taking part in the 24 Peaks Challenge 2026!
Over the weekend 3–5 July, teams will take on the 24 Peaks Challenge across the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage site, covering 33 miles and 13,000 ft of ascent in support of seafarers and their families.
With three levels of challenge to choose from, each step participants take will help raise vital funds to support seafarers in need and their families.
Thank you to all participants for taking on this incredible challenge, and to those supporting them along the way.
Championing Seafarer Welfare on the Global Stage
Recently, The Seafarers’ Charity engaged with global maritime leaders in Athens and Vancouver to ensure seafarer welfare is recognised as central to safety, resilience and a supportive work environment.
At Posidonia in Athens, Greece, where we were official charity partners for the first time in our history, we used this global gathering of the maritime community to deepen strategic partnerships and strengthen fundraising and industry engagement. Our Business Development Director, Temi Binitie, met with corporate leaders across the sector to reinforce support for seafarers through The Seafarers’ Charity’s work worldwide.
In Vancouver, at the Commonwealth Maritime Domain Awareness Summit, our Head of Programmes, Stella Aber, contributed to discussions with global maritime stakeholders and reinforced a clear message: seafarer welfare and human factors are not peripheral issues. They belong at the heart of maritime safety.
This week, our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, and Stella Aber are at Our Ocean Conference 11 and the Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting Roundtable in Mombasa, Kenya, continuing to place seafarer welfare at the centre of global maritime decision-making.
Webinar on 'Protecting Your Mental Health in Uncertain Times'
On 6 May, we hosted the webinar 'Protecting Your Mental Health in Uncertain Times: Practical Wellbeing for Seafarers in Conflict Zones' which was produced in collaboration with OCIMF, the global body representing over 110 oil and energy companies, united by a shared commitment to safety and best practice, and whose tankers are among those most exposed to risk in the Strait of Hormuz.
With tensions continuing across the region, this webinar offers evidence-based, practical support for seafarers and those who work alongside them. Led by clinical psychologist Dr Rachel Glynn-Williams, it explores psychological self-care techniques for managing stress and uncertainty, the importance of staying socially connected at sea, and features first-hand accounts from seafarers who have experienced conflict zones, alongside guidance on the support services and resources available right now.
Seafarer Abandonment Animated Film Series (Official Trailer)
The trailer of our animated film series 'Smart Seafaring - A Safe Return' introduces Mateo, a seafarer who does everything right. He follows guidance, takes every reasonable precaution and acts responsibly throughout his journey. Yet despite this, he still faces abandonment.
His story challenges a common misconception: that abandonment is always the result of negligence. In reality, even well prepared seafarers can be left vulnerable due to systemic failures in recruitment, support structures and safety oversight.
Seafarer abandonment is a serious and growing humanitarian issue affecting thousands of maritime workers every year. Through the upcoming series of three short animated films, we aim to provide clear, practical guidance for seafarers and their families, helping them recognise warning signs, prepare effectively before departure and know where to turn if something goes wrong.
The Seafarers’ Charity supports World Maritime University with Abandonment Research
Seafarer abandonment continues to rise at an alarming rate, exposing serious gaps in how international maritime protections are enforced.
A new large-scale research initiative led by the World Maritime University, in collaboration with the The Seafarers’ Charity, TK Foundation and the ITF Seafarers' Trust, will examine how existing frameworks like the Maritime Labour Convention are actually implemented across the global shipping system.
With reported cases increasing sharply in recent years, the study will also centre the lived experiences of affected seafarers and their families, assessing the human, social and economic impact of abandonment.
Sea Views S2E6: Fishing Safety, Mental Health & Getting Fishers Home Safe!
In this episode, host Julia Gosling is joined by Adam Parnell and guest Darren Guard of Guard Safety, a New Zealand fishing safety specialist with deep roots in the commercial fishing industry.
The conversation explores how trust, plain-language safety systems, and practical collaboration can improve safety culture. It also looks at mental health pressures in inshore fisheries, the need for accessible training for remote communities, and why safety must be built around real working lives.
Darren also discusses MarineSAFE and the development of online safety training for fishing communities, including the MarineSAFE Pacific project.
Happy Pride Month 2026!
Pride Month is not only a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community but also a chance to reflect on the history and progress made toward equity and inclusion. At The Seafarers' Charity, we’re proud to champion diversity every day, creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported, and safe to be themselves.
As part of our commitment, we provide a Coming Out Toolkit to all new staff during induction. We understand that joining a new organisation can be daunting, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals who may feel pressure around sharing their identity. This resource empowers staff to make that choice for themselves and helps allies foster an inclusive, respectful environment.
