Seapost - July 2025

In this edition, we look ahead to Merchant Navy Day, which this year marks the 10th anniversary of our Fly the Red Ensign campaign. Communities across the UK are once again invited to fly the Red Ensign in honour of the seafarers who keep our island nation moving.

We also invite you to be a seafarer’s superhero by pledging to our Big Give Christmas Challenge. With your help, we can unlock matched funding and double the impact of every donation made during the campaign, a powerful way to support seafarers and their families when they need it most.

This October, we return to St Paul’s Cathedral for the Annual National Service for Seafarers, a moment to come together in gratitude for those who serve at sea, and to reflect on the lives lost and the communities behind them.

Earlier this month, we celebrated the leadership and resilience of women in maritime at our inaugural Waves of Influence fundraising lunch. Thanks to the generosity of our guests and supporters, we raised an incredible £50,000 for families who rely on our help.

There were more inspiring efforts over the summer as teams from across the maritime sector took on the gruelling 24 Peaks Challenge, climbing 13,000 ft across the Lake District. A huge congratulations to all who took part, with special mention to this year’s award winners - every step you took made a difference.

Maritime Safety Day gave us a chance to shine a light on the work we do to improve safety across the industry. From mental health support to crisis response and confidential reporting, we remain committed to making seafaring safer for everyone.

We also spoke to Alicia, one of our brilliant 2027 Programme colleagues, about her journey into grant-making and her new role in our Impact Team. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to making the charity sector more inclusive and accessible.

This month also saw the release of our new FISH SAFE film on man overboard recovery. With practical demonstrations and essential advice, it’s a must-watch for anyone working at sea.

In our latest Sea Views podcast, we explored neurodiversity in maritime and how inclusive teams at sea can lead to innovation and stronger crews. It’s a powerful conversation that challenges assumptions and offers simple steps towards change.

We were also proud to sponsor the 2025 Women in Transport Equity Index. While some progress has been made, the findings show there’s still much to do to achieve lasting change. Gender equity must be a priority for every organisation shaping the future of transport.

Finally, we’re supporting a vital book project led by two women in maritime, inviting survivors of sexual violence at sea to share their experiences anonymously. By contributing, you can help bring about meaningful change and ensure survivors’ voices are heard.