October 20, 2026
Annual National Service for Seafarers celebrates the sacrifice of those who go to sea
Organised by The Seafarers’ Charity and Trinity House, and held at St Paul’s Cathedral since 1905, this special service gives thanks to seafarers of all backgrounds.
Wednesday 14th October marked 2026’s Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the longest standing and profound moments in the maritime calendar.
A noble history
In 1905, Captain R. Hubbard proposed an annual seafarers’ service at St Paul’s and the first version took place in October that year. Barring interruptions during the World Wars and the Covid-19 pandemic, the service has continued annually.
Originally, the congregation mainly consisted of seafarers, fishers, lifeboat men and naval trainees. Today, it represents a wide range of maritime organisations, including the Royal and Merchant Navies, charities, schools and veterans’ groups.
For those in peril on the sea
The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s, gave the bidding to the congregation before The Venerable Dr Peter Rouch, secretary general of The Mission to Seafarers, read a moving tribute to seafarers currently affected by conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, The Black Sea, and elsewhere.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal read a lesson, as did Paul Butterworth AFNI, chair of The Seafarers’ Charity. The Princess kindly met with attendees after the service, and we remain grateful to her ongoing support of ANSS. Members of Parliament including Nusrat Ghani, deputy speaker of the House of Commons, and Keir Mather, maritime minister, were also present.
The sermon from Reverend Tremlett reflected on the immense hardships and sacrifices made by seafarers all over the world – an often-hidden workforce whom he suggested we should all keep in our thoughts. A Litany of Intercession for Seafarers was led by The Reverend Timothy Miller and The Reverend Dr Mark Davidson, Chaplain of the Fleet, delivered the naval prayer.
2026 highlights: 150 years of ‘Aggie’s’
Attendees celebrated 150 years of the Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Charity for the Naval Service, known today as Aggie’s. Aggie’s was founded in 1876 to offer practical care, friendship and support to seafarers.
Although the circumstances of naval life have changed greatly, the founding purpose of Aggie’s has endured. Today, the charity supports personnel serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, together with their families and children.
Old Worcesters – a new generation
For more than 100 years, from 1862 to 1968, generations of young seafarers were trained for the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy in three ships, each in turn named HMS Worcester and usually moored off Greenhithe in the River Thames.
The last cadet left HMS Worcester in 1968. This same cadet Commander Bob Lineker took part in this year’s ANSS, parading the Association of Old Worcesters’ ensign for laying up. Accompanied by two new Merchant Navy cadets, they shared a moment of ‘passing the baton’, continuing the Worcester name and the excellence of its training into the future.
The centenary of the Master Mariners
ANSS this year also offered a chance to share in the celebration of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners 100th anniversary. With a membership drawn from the shipping industry, the Company promotes careers in the maritime sector and encourages safety at sea and professionalism amongst seafarers.
They have had five members of the Royal family as Master, with the Duke of Edinburgh (who also serves as President of The Seafarers’ Charity) serving as Master for the Centenary year.
Our thanks
We would like to give special thanks to Trinity House and our fellow organisers of ANSS, to the staff of St Paul’s Cathedral, to HRH The Princess Royal, to The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth, and to Freddy Onono, our charity’s standard bearer at the service.
Next year’s Annual National Service for Seafarers will take place on Wednesday 13th October 2027 – save the date!
