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July 2025
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. We hope you enjoy reading it!
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
Merchant Navy Day 2025
We’re calling on communities across the UK to celebrate their Merchant Navy by flying the Red Ensign on Merchant Navy Day, Wednesday 3 September.
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of our charity’s 'Fly the Red Ensign' campaign. What began in 2015 as an effort to address the lack of awareness around the contributions of merchant seafarers has grown into a moment to celebrate and champion these everyday heroes.
Since its launch, the campaign has become a significant national event. The Red Ensign, known affectionately as the 'Red Duster', is now flown at historic landmarks, government buildings, parish and town council offices, and village greens across the UK. This powerful symbol highlights the vital role of merchant seafarers past, present, and future.
Merchant Navy seafarers have kept supply lines open during global conflicts, including both world wars, as well as through crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, they remain essential to our economy, handling 95% of the UK’s traded goods.
For this special anniversary year, we’re encouraging everyone to go the extra mile to honour Merchant Navy seafarers.
Will you be a seafarer’s superhero in our Big Give Campaign?
We’re taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise vital funds for seafarers and their families and we need your help to unlock matched donations.
By making a pledge of £100–£1,000 before 29 August, you’ll double the impact of every donation made during the campaign. Your pledge won’t be collected unless targets are met and donations come in, making it a powerful motivator for others to give.
Be the spark. Light the way. Help us double the difference.
Annual National Service for Seafarers
On 8 October, join us at St Paul's Cathedral for the Annual National Service for Seafarers (ANSS).
The ANSS was first held in 1905 and has been observed annually ever since. Organised by The Seafarers’ Charity and Trinity House, this free and inclusive service recognises and gives thanks for the vital and often overlooked work of seafarers.
It brings together people of all faiths and backgrounds, including those who have served at sea, lost loved ones, or support the wider maritime community.
This year’s service also marks the 120th anniversary of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Waves of Influence: Celebrating Women in Maritime
On 9 July, we marked a major milestone with the launch of our inaugural ‘Waves of Influence’ event, a fundraising lunch celebrating the leadership, strength and resilience of women in maritime. Hosted in partnership with Sailors’ Children’s Society, the event raised £50,000 thanks to the generosity of our guests, supporting seafarers and their families from emergency aid to long-term opportunities.
A huge thank you to our sponsors: UK P&I Club, and to Trinity House and The Fishmongers' Company for helping make the day possible. We are also incredibly grateful to our fantastic speakers: Sarah Kenny OBE, Nusrat Ghani MP, our host Jenni Falconer, and our auctioneer Caroline Hawley.
Congratulations to our 24 Peaks Challenge teams and award winners
Over one incredible weekend, teams from across the maritime sector took on up to 24 peaks across the Lake District, covering 33 miles and climbing 13,000 ft, to raise vital funds for seafarers and their families.
This was no small feat. It was a true test of endurance, teamwork and determination. Every step taken has helped support those who dedicate their lives to the sea.
We’d like to give special congratulations to our 2025 award winners:
Top Fundraiser → Robert Wester
Top Team → Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd
Fastest Team → A.P. Moller - Maersk Team 3 (Luke Pearson, Asbjorn Kops and Nikhilesh Jain)
Spirit of the 24 Peaks → SGMF
Muddiest Boot Award → Ashley Group
Peak Award → Gary Wilson (BMT)
Most Experienced Adventurer → Windy Friday (WIND Friday & Co. Shipbrokers)
We are so grateful to everyone who took part, donated or supported the challenge and to YHA Ambleside for being such a welcoming base for the weekend. Watch the highlights video and view the event photos. Feeling inspired? Sign up for the 2026 challenge.
Maritime Safety Day 2025: Supporting Seafarers’ Safety
On 8 July, for Maritime Safety Day 2025, we honoured the vital role seafarers play worldwide and renewed the call for stronger safety standards across the maritime industry.
At The Seafarers’ Charity, safety remains a top priority. We fund a range of initiatives designed to reduce harm and support seafarers’ wellbeing, from confidential reporting systems and crisis response networks to training programs and digital support hubs. These projects help protect seafarers and their families, addressing both physical and psychological safety across the sector.
Read more about the important safety initiatives we support in our latest blog.
Spotlight Interview: Alicia, 2027 Programme colleague
At The Seafarers’ Charity, we’re committed to making sure people from all walks of life have access to opportunities in the charity sector. That’s why we’re proud to be long-term supporters of the 2027 Programme, which creates pathways into grant-making for people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Over the years, we’ve had some brilliant colleagues join us through 2027 and Alicia Lopez is no different. She quickly became a valued member of our grant-making team, managing applications for many of our delivery partners.
After her placement, we were thrilled to offer Alicia a full-time role in our Impact Team!
New FISH SAFE Film: Man Overboard Recovery
Man overboard incidents can turn fatal in seconds. That’s why we’re proud to fund the latest FISH SAFE film, which offers a practical guide to recovering someone safely back onboard.
Join Newlyn skipper Tom Lambourn aboard My Lass as he tests essential recovery gear, from Bluetooth engine cut-offs and rescue poles to PLBs and rope ladders. Tom’s hands-on demonstration shows why having the right kit and knowing how to use it could save lives and why the first time you use it shouldn’t be in an emergency.
Whether you fish solo or with a crew, this film is a must-watch to help everyone come home safe.
Sea Views #18 - Different Minds, Stronger Crews
What does neurodiversity really mean at sea and why is it vital for innovation and building stronger crews?
In this episode, Julia Gosling and Adam Parnell speak with Daniel Smith MNI, founder of NeurodiversAtSea.org, about the business case for neurodiversity in maritime, how life at sea empowers neurodivergent people, and simple steps to boost inclusion.
Whether you work onboard, in HR, or lead a maritime organisation, this conversation will change the way you think about what is possible.
Sea Views is supported by CHIRP Maritime and funded by The Seafarers’ Charity.
Women in Transport Index 2025
We were proud to be the lead sponsor of the 2025 Women in Transport Equity Index, published this month. 2025’s index paints a challenging picture of women’s opportunities across the transport industry. Though the number of women in leadership roles rose from 26% to 36% compared to 2023, most remain in non-core roles and other challenges abound.
Most of the 100 surveyed organisations report a significant gender pay gap and have no plans to reduce it.
Lasting change requires stronger policies and genuine commitment. Gender equity is not a “nice-to-have”. It is essential for building a resilient, future-ready transport sector.
Call for Contributions
The Seafarers' Charity funds a range of services to support seafarers who have been impacted by sexual violence at sea. We would like to draw your attention to an important book project.
The authors – two women currently working in the maritime industry – are inviting female survivors of sexual harassment and abuse at sea to share their experiences for inclusion. All contributions will remain completely anonymous, with no need to provide identifying details.
We encourage anyone who feels able to contribute via the link below, and help drive lasting, positive change in the industry.
