After months living under the threat of attack, Pete* finally stepped off his ship and returned home. His family were relieved. His friends assumed the worst was behind him.
At sea, he had spent weeks wondering what might happen next. Every day brought uncertainty. Every sound raised questions. Every conversation carried worry.
Back on land, life was supposed to return to normal. Instead, sleep became difficult. Loud noises made him jump.
The anxiety he had carried at sea followed him home. Reflecting, Pete shared, “I still get night terrors.”
Sadly, Pete’s experience is not unique. With your help, seafarers facing the aftermath of crisis will not have to recover alone.
Recent crises have left thousands of seafarers caught in dangerous and uncertain conditions.
“When a seafarer comes home, they should not have to face the aftermath of crisis alone”
More than one in four maritime trauma survivors show symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often months after the original event. Yet support frequently ends when the immediate emergency is over. That leaves many men and women facing the hidden consequences alone. And the need is growing.
In the first six months of 2026 alone, the Crisis Response Network, The Seafarers’ Charity-funded initiative, supported 946 seafarers and 4730 family members, almost double the number reported in 2025.
Every referred seafarer will receive an early wellbeing assessment. Most will receive practical recovery support, coping guidance and help reconnecting with family. Those experiencing more serious trauma will be directed to specialist care.
For those carrying deeper trauma, it means specialist trauma therapy delivered by experienced professionals who understand how trauma can affect every part of life. This matters because early intervention works.
Evidence shows that only 44% of people naturally recover from PTSD without support, while trauma-focused treatment can achieve meaningful improvement in up 65% to 86% of cases. The right support delivered at the right time can make a profound difference to a seafarer’s future.
Your gift today can help a seafarer, like Pete, move from crisis towards recovery. Please give generously.
Lastly, during 1-8 December, your donation can go twice as far, when you donate digitally to our Big Give Christmas Challenge. Every gift made during the campaign week will be doubled to support seafarers and their families
* Name changed for anonymity.
