Mark (not his real name) was a proud seafarer who had spent decades at sea. But after a serious accident he found himself confined to the downstairs of his home, unable to sleep beside his wife or share precious family moments with their young daughter. Thanks to support from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, a specialist bed was provided, not just restoring dignity and comfort, but bringing Mark’s family closer together.
Founded in 1839, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society (or SMS) has a long history of supporting Merchant Navy seafarers, fishers, and their families through life’s hardest challenges. What began as a mission to help those affected by literal shipwrecks has evolved into a broad response to the metaphorical shipwrecks many face today, from financial hardship to disability and unemployment.
A vital lifeline
The Society’s primary work is providing regular grants to retired seafarers or those unable to work. This supplement of around £18 per week is a crucial lifeline for many older mariners, especially those relying solely on a state pension. For many, it eases anxiety over heating bills, food, and daily essentials.
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“Not every hardship is dramatic, but even small amounts of support can make a massive difference when someone is just trying to live with dignity.”
Justin Osmond
Chief Executive of SMS who served for 30 years in the Royal Navy
The Society’s impact goes well beyond regular support. One-off crisis grants help individuals and families facing sudden hardship: homelessness, rent arrears, or essential household repairs.
They’ve also recently launched an initiative tackling “appliance poverty” — helping families without essential white goods like cookers or washing machines.
Eyes and ears around the country
What makes this support possible is a vast national network of local caseworkers. Often these people are part of organisations like the Fishermen’s Mission or the Nautilus Welfare Fund. These partners serve as the trusted “front doors” in coastal communities, working hand-in-hand with the Society to meet individual needs on the ground.
In fact, many supported seafarers may never even realise that their help came from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, which is a mark of its quiet effectiveness.
A strong partnership
The Seafarers’ Charity has been a proud supporter of SMS, providing long-term funding that sustains regular grants and enables life-changing responses in moments of need. This includes helping in cases that fall outside SMS's typical criteria but are too compelling to ignore, such as major house adaptations.
Evolving responses
The world has shifted dramatically in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the cost-of-living crisis, has brought a surge in demand, and a visible change in who is asking for help. While older seafarers of the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets have historically been the main beneficiaries, the Society is seeing increasing need among working-age families, whose low incomes and limited state support leave them vulnerable.
“We’re seeing people who never would have asked for help before,” Justin says. “Proud workers who’ve tried to cope on their own, now coming forward because they simply can’t make ends meet anymore.”
The Society is responding with flexibility, empathy, and new initiatives, but always with seafarers’ welfare at its heart.
