Sailors’ Society launches urgent welfare grant fund for seafarers

17/01/2022

International maritime charity Sailors’ Society has set up a new fund to provide welfare grants for seafarers in urgent need.

Demand for grant aid soared by 850% in the first 18 months of the COVID pandemic, prompting the introduction of the Sea Change Fund.

Sailors’ Society, which is supported by Wescom Group, says the Sea Change Fund will provide small emergency payments to qualifying seafarers and their dependents for immediate needs.

Chief Executive Officer, Sara Baade, says, “Calls for support have never been greater than now. We launched our Sea Change Fund to help answer these cries, so seafarers and their families who need urgent financial assistance to pay for food, medical bills, schooling or a roof over their heads can get support quickly.”

Sickness, unemployment and bereavement exacerbated by COVID have left rising numbers of seafarers struggling to feed their families.

Sara adds, “Seafarers have endured a challenging couple of years, often full of fear and uncertainty and far away from loved ones. We owe them a great debt and now, more than ever, is the time to join together to support our keyworkers of the sea and make the sea change needed when a crisis hits.”

Seafares apply for grants and can obtain assistance with pressing welfare needs. This includes help with food and medicine bills, education costs, or in emergencies such as natural disasters or cases of abandonment.

Follow the link to find out more and to donate to the Sea Change Fund.

Sailors’ Society is one of the largest and most comprehensive seafarers’ support charities in the world.