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October 2024
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to the October edition of Seapost, The Seafarers' Charity's e-newsletter. As we embrace the autumn season, we are excited to share significant updates and achievements from the past month.
In this edition, we highlight the Annual National Service for Seafarers, held at St Paul’s Cathedral on 9 October. This poignant service, attended by HRH The Princess Royal, celebrated the vital contributions of those who serve and have served at sea, reinforcing our commitment to being “good neighbours” for seafarers in need.
As part of our ongoing efforts to support seafarers and their families, we invite you to join #TeamSeafarersKGFS for the London Marathon 2025 on 27 April. With limited charity places available, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact while receiving dedicated support throughout your journey.
Our global support efforts continue to impact lives, with 65,000 fishers set to benefit from six fishing safety projects funded through the International Fund for Fishing Safety.
In Kenya, over 8,000 seafarers are supported by Stella Maris, thanks to our funding. Their dedicated team provides essential care and assistance, enhancing livelihoods within local fishing communities.
Promoting safety and inclusivity at sea remains a key priority. On 3 October, our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, joined ISWAN to launch their Allyship campaign, co-funded by The Seafarers' Charity in partnership with the UK P&I Club. This initiative aims to create safer workplaces for all seafarers and reinforces our commitment to inclusivity.
To further our allyship efforts, we invite you to the Women in Maritime Allyship Breakfast on 6 November, hosted in partnership with Maritime UK. This event will explore how allyship can enhance safety and inclusivity within the maritime sector.
Finally, our EDI team recently hosted a Black History Walk, expertly guided by Tony Warner. This event brought together colleagues from the Royal Navy and Maritime UK to explore the contributions of influential figures in Black history.
Don’t miss the latest episode of Sea Views Podcast, where Alan McCulla OBE discusses global fishing safety solutions funded by the International Fund for Fishing Safety.
Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you enjoy this edition of Seapost!
Best wishes,
Luca Selvaggio
Editor
Highlights from the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul's Cathedral
On Wednesday, 9 October, we gathered at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Annual National Service for Seafarers, a poignant occasion attended by HRH The Princess Royal. The service celebrated all who serve or have served at sea, honouring those who answer the call of the ocean - men and women upon whom we depend for 95% of everything transported by sea.
During the service, we were called to action to be “good neighbours.” In simple terms, we are called to lend a helping hand to all seafarers in times of need. It is our privilege to be the Ecosystem of Support for seafarers.
Following the service, we gathered with those who have collaborated with us to be a force for good for seafarers of every profession. Graciously hosted by our Chair, Paul Butterworth AFNI, we were honoured to have the Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP, from the Department for Transport (DfT), who promised to be the seafarer’s champion, advocating for better working lives at sea for all during his tenure.
It is a profound honour for us to organise and host the Annual National Service for Seafarers with Trinity House each year. We hope you found the service meaningful and look forward to welcoming you next year.
Save the date: 8 October 2025.
Join #TeamSeafarersKGFS for the London Marathon 2025!
We're excited to offer a limited number of charity places for the London Marathon 2025 on Sunday, 27 April 2025. This is your chance to help us raise vital funds for seafarers and their families in need whilst challenging yourself.
As part of #TeamSeafarersKGFS, you'll receive The Seafarers’ Charity running vest, a welcome pack, and dedicated fundraising support, along with cheers from our supporters on race day.
Get inspired by the incredible stories from our 2024 runners and join us in making a difference!
IFFS Goes Global: Six Fishing Safety Projects Supporting 65,000 Fishers
Within nine months of launching, the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) has committed funding to support six fishing safety projects in South Africa, Ghana, Fiji, Kenya, Thailand and Vietnam.
The total funds now supporting safety projects is £222,000 and these first six initiatives are directly supporting 65,000 people to work safely in fishing.
Stella Maris Now Helping Over 8,000 Seafarers in Kenya
Thanks to funding from The Seafarers' Charity, Stella Maris is now supporting over 8,000 seafarers in Kenya. Our grants have helped them expand their team to include a port chaplain, three full-time staff and over 30 volunteers.
This growth enables them to conduct safe ship visits with appropriate PPE and increase their presence in Kenya's key fishing regions.
'Safe at Sea... it takes all of us!': a Global Campaign for Safer, Inclusive Workplaces
On 3 October, the global 'Safe at Sea... it takes all of us!' campaign was launched. Co-funded by The Seafarers' Charity in partnership with the UK P&I Club, delivered by ISWAN, a culture of Allyship was unveiled to the maritime industry.
Our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, opened her address with an inspiring story from the funded research conducted by the Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) at Cardiff University on the Port Welfare Needs of Women Seafarers, which directly informed and led to the development of the Allyship campaign.
Highlighting that, 'It takes all of us,' Patrick Ryan, Sustainability Director & Head of Secretariat at the UK P&I Club, thanked The Seafarers’ Charity for the introduction to the challenge. He shared that the UK P&I Club was eager to partner to co-fund a preventative solution aimed at transforming the culture at sea.
Moreover, this month, ISWAN proudly showcased the Allyship campaign at the Global Maritime Forum in Tokyo. ISWAN’s CEO, Simon Grainge, led a working group on allyship in maritime, presenting the campaign to influential global leaders. This engagement highlights our commitment to collaborate to bring positive change across the maritime community.
The Allyship campaign is dedicated to educating the entire maritime sector, fostering inclusivity, and promoting a culture of safety. At The Seafarers' Charity, our work supports all seafarers, regardless of background. We are proud to champion the full breadth of maritime careers for their diversity, recognising the contributions to our global economy and society.
Championing Diversity and Inclusion in Maritime
At The Seafarers’ Charity, we proudly continue our commitment to diversity and inclusion by remaining aligned with Maritime UK’s Diversity in Maritime Pledge. Through this pledge, we are taking meaningful steps towards creating an environment where everyone - regardless of gender, ethnicity, mental health status, sexual orientation, or background - is valued and empowered to succeed.
In practice, we actively use the Maritime UK Charter Action Plan, updating it regularly to reflect our ongoing efforts to drive positive change. By working together with the maritime community, we are driving improvements from within by fostering a work environment where everyone can thrive.
Women in Maritime Allyship Breakfast
On 6 November, join us at DNV's offices for the Women in Maritime Allyship Breakfast, hosted in partnership with Maritime UK. With our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, as Chair of Maritime UK's Women in Maritime Network, this event will provide a platform to explore how allyship can drive meaningful culture change which is inclusive and where everyone feels safe on board.
Industry leaders and professionals will share insights on how allyship can empower women, create more inclusive workplaces, and help attract and retain talent. Whether you’re a female or male ally, this breakfast is an excellent opportunity to learn how you can support and champion gender diversity within the sector.
How Can We Make Global Fishing Safer?
In the latest episode of the Sea Views Podcast, titled Solutions for Global Fishing Safety, Alan McCulla OBE, Coordinator of the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS), shares crucial insights on the fishing safety solutions funded by IFFS. With 39 million fishers worldwide and up to 100,000 deaths annually, the need for action is urgent.
This episode of Sea Views is supported by CHIRP and proudly funded by The Seafarers’ Charity.
Exploring Black History with Maritime Colleagues
On 25 September, our EDI team hosted an insightful Black History Walk, expertly led by Tony Warner from Black History Walks.
We were joined by colleagues from the Royal Navy and Maritime UK, making it a day of learning about influential figures like Josephine Baker, John Henry Smyth, and many others. Special thanks to Tony for sharing his extensive knowledge and introducing us to a new perspective on our shared history.
