The Marine Society

The Marine Society


Contact details

General enquiries
  • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7654 7000 
  • Email: webenquiries@ms-sc.org 
Advice and Guidance service
  • Telephone: 0207 654 7050
  • Email: learning@ms-sc.org 
Coming Ashore programme
  • Email: comingashore@ms-sc.org

What this organisation does

The Marine Society is a UK maritime charity that supports seafarers throughout their careers by providing learning opportunities, professional development, funding support, careers guidance and transition assistance for those moving from sea-based roles to shore-based employment. The organisation aims to help seafarers gain skills, achieve qualifications and realise their professional potential. 
The service may be particularly useful for serving seafarers, maritime professionals and those planning their next career steps within the maritime sector. 

Who can use the service

Eligibility varies depending on the programme or funding being requested.
Services may be available to:
  • Serving seafarers seeking training, education or career development. 
  • Maritime professionals looking to gain additional qualifications. 
  • Seafarers considering a transition to shore-based maritime employment. 
  • Apprentices and individuals entering the maritime industry. 
  • Applicants seeking scholarships or bursaries who meet specific fund criteria. Some funding programmes require applicants to be British seafarers or maritime professionals who have been permanently resident in the UK for at least three years. 
Applicants should check the eligibility requirements for individual schemes before applying. 

Support available

The Marine Society provides a range of services including:

Learning and professional development

  • Learn@Sea digital learning courses.
  • Distance learning and study support.
  • Professional development resources.
  • Access to specialist maritime educational content. 

Careers advice and guidance

  • Independent and impartial careers information.
  • Educational guidance.
  • Continuing professional development advice.
  • Support with training and qualification pathways. 

Scholarships and bursaries

Available funding opportunities may include:
  • Nautilus Slater Fund.
  • Green Skills Bursary.
  • Worcester Scholarship.
  • Hanway Scholarship. 

Coming Ashore programme

A dedicated programme supporting seafarers moving from sea-based careers to shore-side maritime roles. Support may include:
  • One-to-one mentoring.
  • Career transition planning.
  • CV support.
  • Networking guidance.
  • Webinars and learning resources.
  • Industry placements (subject to availability).
  • Access to learning resources and bursaries. 

Apprenticeships and training

The Marine Society offers apprenticeship and training opportunities across a range of maritime sectors to support career entry and progression. 

Books and digital libraries

  • Marine books and publications.
  • Crew library services.
  • Digital library resources accessible across multiple devices. 

Features and benefits

Seafarers using Marine Society services may benefit from:
  • Access to independent, impartial careers and education advice. 
  • Funding support for approved maritime training and qualifications. 
  • Flexible learning opportunities that can be accessed while at sea or ashore. 
  • Professional mentoring from maritime industry professionals. 
  • Support when preparing for a move into shore-based employment.
  • Improved career progression and qualification opportunities. 
  • Access to maritime-specific educational resources and learning tools.

How to get help

  1. Visit the Marine Society website at https://www.marine-society.org. 
  2. Review the relevant service area such as Funding, Learn@Sea, Advice and Guidance, Apprenticeships or Coming Ashore.
  3. Contact the organisation using the relevant phone number or email address. 
  4. Check the eligibility criteria for any funding or scholarship scheme before applying. 
  5. Complete any required application or registration forms and provide supporting documentation where requested. 

Things to check before contacting them

Before applying or making an enquiry, it may be useful to have:
  • Details of your maritime experience and qualifications.
  • Information about the course, training or professional development you wish to undertake.
  • A current CV if applying for funding or career transition support.
  • Proof of eligibility where required by specific scholarship or bursary programmes.
  • Details of residency and nationality if applying for funding schemes with eligibility restrictions.