Seapost - October 2025

In this edition, we celebrate the vital work of seafarers and share highlights from across The Seafarers’ Charity, starting with the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on 8 October. The service brought together the maritime community to honour seafarers, men and women who keep global waters moving under challenging and often dangerous conditions. This year also marked the 120th anniversary of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, whose civilian crews support the Royal Navy across combat operations, disaster relief, counter-piracy missions, and evacuations worldwide.

Congratulations to our Chief Executive, Deborah Layde, who received the Freedom of the City of London last month. We are also delighted to welcome three new Trustees: Simon Gillespie OBE, Guy Platten MNM, and Petra Wilkinson CBE, bringing experience and leadership from the charity, government, and maritime sectors.

Our October Charity of the Month is Safer Waves. CEO Jessica Brannan spoke about the charity’s work providing a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse at sea, and how funding from The Seafarers’ Charity and other partners has helped them expand globally.

In our Fundraising Spotlight, Rod Cappell, Director at Poseidon Aquatic Resource Management Ltd, is taking on the Clipper Round the World Race 2025/26 to raise funds for seafarers. The Pacific Challenge will see him race from Australia to China, visit South Korea, cross the North Pacific, and sail coast-to-coast in the US via the Panama Canal.

Looking ahead, our 24 Peaks Challenge returns on 4–5 July 2026 in the Lake District. Participants will cover up to 33 miles, climb up to 24 peaks, and ascend 13,000 ft, all while raising vital funds for seafarers in need. The event is ideal for team building, testing endurance, and creating lasting memories.

Finally, the latest Sea Views podcast, “Sailing in the Shadows: The Hidden Tanker Trade,” explores the Shadow Fleet and the hidden risks seafarers face. Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Senior Maritime Intelligence Analyst at Windward, explains how these ships operate with falsified identities, spoofed signals, and little oversight, and the potential impact on oceans, global security, and seafarers.