Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB)

Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB)








Contact details

Website: https://www.mnwb.org/
Address:
Merchant Navy Welfare Board
8 Cumberland Place
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 2BH 
Telephone: 023 8033 7799 
Email: enquiries@mnwb.org.uk 
Contact page: https://www.mnwb.org/contact-us/ 
Seafarer Support Helpline: 0800 121 4765 

What this organisation does

The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) is a UK registered charity and the umbrella welfare organisation for the UK Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets. It works with maritime charities, welfare organisations, unions, employers and other stakeholders to improve the welfare and wellbeing of seafarers, fishers and their dependants. 
MNWB helps coordinate welfare activity across the maritime sector, supports welfare projects, provides grants, develops welfare services through Port Welfare Committees, delivers training, and operates a dedicated welfare support and referral service for UK seafarers and their families. 

Who can use the service

Different MNWB services are aimed at different groups.

Seafarer Support service

The Seafarer Support helpline and referral service is available to:
  • Serving UK seafarers.
  • Retired UK seafarers.
  • Family members and dependants of UK seafarers. 
  • Serving Fishers.
  • Retired Fishers ,
  • Family members and dependants of UK fishers.

Wider MNWB support

MNWB also works with:
  • Maritime charities and welfare organisations.
  • Welfare stakeholders across the UK maritime sector.
  • Organisations seeking funding for projects that benefit seafarers, fishers and their dependants. 

Support available

MNWB provides or coordinates support through a range of programmes and services, including:

Seafarer Support

  • Free confidential telephone support.
  • Online welfare information and guidance.
  • Referral to specialist maritime charities and support organisations.
  • Signposting to practical help during times of need. 

Welfare information and guidance

Information and referrals relating to:
  • Accommodation.
  • Training and education.
  • Welfare support.
  • Health and wellbeing.
  • Financial support. 

Grants and project funding

  • Funding opportunities for organisations delivering projects that support seafarer wellbeing.
  • Support for initiatives that benefit serving and retired seafarers, fishers and their dependants. 

Maritime welfare coordination

  • Management and support of Port Welfare Committees.
  • Development of local welfare services in ports.
  • Collaboration between maritime welfare organisations.
  • National representation of seafarer welfare issues. 

Training and sector development

  • Welfare-related training programmes for maritime stakeholders.
  • Specialist support services for member organisations and partners. 

Features and benefits

MNWB can help seafarers, former seafarers and their families to:
  • Access trusted support through one recognised maritime welfare organisation.
  • Find appropriate specialist charities and services quickly.
  • Receive confidential assistance when facing personal, health, housing, welfare or financial difficulties.
  • Navigate available maritime welfare resources more easily.
  • Connect with organisations experienced in supporting the maritime community. 
Additional benefits include:
  • Free access to the Seafarer Support helpline.
  • Sector-wide expertise through a network of maritime welfare organisations.
  • Support delivered regardless of nationality, religion or ethnic background through MNWB's wider welfare objectives. 

How to get help

If you are a serving or retired UK seafarer, or a family member

  1. Call the Seafarer Support Helpline on 0800 121 4765. 
  2. Visit the Seafarer Support website to explore available support options and welfare information. 
  3. Follow referral guidance to access specialist maritime charities and services where appropriate. 

For general enquiries

  1. Contact MNWB by telephone on 023 8033 7799. 
  2. Email enquiries@mnwb.org.uk.
  3. Submit an enquiry through the online contact form. 

For organisations seeking funding

  1. Visit the Grant Funding section of the website.
  2. Review eligibility and application requirements.
  3. Submit an application through the official process. 

Things to check before contacting them

  • Have details of your situation ready, including any welfare, financial, accommodation or health concerns.
  • If seeking grant funding, review the current application guidance on the MNWB website before applying.
  • Check whether your enquiry relates to the Seafarer Support helpline or to MNWB's wider charitable and welfare activities so that it can be directed appropriately.