The Seafarers’ Charity

The Seafarers’ Charity


Contact details

Website: https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/ 
Telephone: 020 7932 0000 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm) 
Postal address:
The Seafarers’ Charity
8 Hatherley Street
London
SW1P 2QT 
Contact page:
https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/contact-us 
Support for seafarers seeking help:
SAIL (Seafarers’ Advice and Information Line)
Freephone: 0800 160 1842
Email: advice@sailine.org.uk 
International multilingual support:
SeafarerHelp
Telephone: +44 20 7323 2737
Email: help@seafarerhelp.org 

What this organisation does

The Seafarers’ Charity is a UK maritime welfare charity that supports people who work, or have worked, at sea, as well as their families. Founded in 1917 as the King George’s Fund for Sailors, the charity provides funding, research, advocacy and collaboration to improve the lives of seafarers and fishers in the UK and internationally. 
Rather than providing most frontline services directly, the charity funds and works with a wide network of maritime welfare organisations that deliver practical support to seafarers, fishers and their families. 
Its vision is a world where seafarers and their families are valued and free from need and disadvantage. 

Who can use the service

Individuals seeking support

Seafarers, former seafarers, fishers and family members who need assistance may benefit from services funded by The Seafarers’ Charity. People looking for help are encouraged to contact SAIL  Seafarer Support or SeafarerHelp , which can assess needs and signpost or refer them to appropriate support services. 

Organisations seeking funding

Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations delivering services to seafarers, fishers and their families may be eligible to apply for grant funding. The charity does not normally fund individuals directly. 

Support available

Through its funded partner organisations, The Seafarers’ Charity helps support a wide range of welfare services including: 
  • Advice and information services
  • Welfare and hardship support
  • Financial resilience initiatives
  • Health and wellbeing support
  • Port chaplaincy services
  • Relationship and family support
  • Retirement and later-life support
  • Support for abandoned seafarers
  • Safety initiatives for seafarers and fishers
  • Advocacy and social justice programmes
  • Research and collaboration projects that improve maritime welfare outcomes 
The charity also works to address the underlying causes of hardship and disadvantage through strategic funding, research and advocacy. 

Features and benefits

People connected to the maritime sector may benefit from services supported by The Seafarers’ Charity in several ways: 
  • Access to specialist maritime welfare organisations.
  • Support available both in the UK and internationally.
  • Help covering practical, financial, emotional and wellbeing needs.
  • Assistance for serving seafarers, retired seafarers, fishers and family members.
  • Access to trusted maritime advice services.
  • Support designed to improve long-term independence and resilience.
  • Services focused on safer working lives, better wellbeing and stronger financial security. 

How to get help

If you need support as a seafarer, fisher or family member:
  1. Contact SAIL on 0800 160 1842 or email advice@sailine.org.uk. 
  2. If you require multilingual assistance from anywhere in the world, contact SeafarerHelp on +44 20 7323 2737 or email help@seafarerhelp.org. 
  3. Call Seafarer Support  on 0800 121 4765 .
  4. Explain your circumstances and support needs.
  5. The advice service can signpost or refer you to appropriate maritime welfare organisations and services. 
For general enquiries about the charity:

Things to check before contacting them

  • Have details of your maritime background, employment history or connection to the maritime sector available if relevant.
  • Be prepared to explain the type of assistance you require.
  • If seeking financial or welfare assistance through a partner organisation, additional evidence or documentation may be requested by that organisation.
  • Funding enquiries should be made by eligible charities or not-for-profit organisations rather than individuals. 
Main website
https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/ 
Contact us
https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/contact-us
About the charity
https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/who-we-are/about-our-charity 
Impact and outcomes
https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/what-we-do/our-impact 
Grant funding information
https://www.theseafarerscharity.org/grant-funding/apply-for-funding 
SAIL (Seafarers’ Advice and Information Line)
https://www.sailine.org.uk/