Britain's continuing reliance on the sea is often overlooked, but 95 percent of all imports and 75 percent of exports are still transported by sea, with the £56 billion UK maritime sector - more than aerospace and agriculture combined - directly employing over 410,000 people.

Between 2010 and 2011 the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society made regular and one-off grants in 2,644 cases to retired sailors and their families, amounting to over £1.5 million nationally. The number of requests it receives for support are anticipated to increase further in 2012.

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Chief Executive, Malcolm Williams, said: “We are delighted to be launching this new competition which in a fun way is designed to celebrate both life at sea and those who work day in day out with the ocean, whether, fishing its depths, protecting our shores or transporting the products we take for granted in our daily lives.

“Having someone with the talent and reputation of Ian McMillan to judge our winner is a great honour for the Society and is especially fitting given his own maritime connections. Every year we see cases of people that have dedicated so much of their lives to our seas and the society aims to support them in times of difficulty. Their exciting lives should provide inspiration enough but should our budding poets need further help to get the creative juices flowing we also sell a volume of poems on our website entitled ‘Sunset and Evening Star’.”

The following limerick may provide budding bards with inspiration for their entry.

I caught a big crab on my line,

They said: “Hold it up,” I said: “Fine”

But then I yelled “Ow!”

And look at me now:

If you count my fingers – there’s nine!

World Poetry Day was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1999 to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world.

To enter the competition and for more information visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk or the Society’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shipwreckedmariners

The competition is to write an original poem on a maritime subject in limerick form consisting of no more than five lines and with the first, second and fifth usually rhyming. The deadline for entry is 5pm on Friday 9 March and the charity is offering an engraved barometer and video recording of the winning poem read by Ian McMillan as a prize.

All proceeds from the talk, which takes place at the Oxmarket Centre for Arts, off East Street in Chichester, will be donated to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.

Speaking ahead of the event, John Lang describes how his interest in the topic began:

“As the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents I was a bit surprised to discover how often the subject of the Titanic came up in the course of normal business and began to wonder what a a modern investigator would make of the original evidence were he to look at it. I was also intrigued to know if, having done so, he would agree with the conclusions drawn in 1912. When I retired I decided to look at the matter and eventually formed a view that differed in many respects to that reached 100 years earlier. This talk presents my findings and outlines how I came to a different conclusion.”

The book will be published at the end of July on the 100th anniversary of the date when the original accident report was produced in 1912.

Commodore Malcolm Williams, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, said:

“Historically, the role of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society was to help in the event of a shipwreck by providing clothing and accommodation for the survivors, paying the train fare to their home port and giving financial support to the dependants of those who were lost. Although our purpose has evolved and the focus of our work is now on the retired seafaring community the Society’s history means that the loss of the Titanic is still very close to our hearts. After the disaster we made payments to the dependants of crew members who were lost and had been members of the Society. I am looking forward to hearing John Lang’s unique perspective on the tragedy.

“We continue to receive many applications for support including the dependants of those lost at sea, (usually single-manned fishing vessels), so Admiral Lang’s fundraising efforts will allow us to help more seafarers in need.”

The doors open at 7pm on Thursday 8 March. Tickets costs £12 (including refreshments) and are available from Julia Allison at the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society 01243 789329 jallison@shipwreckedmariners.org.uk

“The Society handled 729 new applications for assistance last year suggesting help for the retired seafaring community is still very much needed. It is therefore fantastic to receive on-going support from Stamp and Go to allow us to continue providing financial assistance to seafarers across the South West.”

Stuart Thorn, one of the six members of Stamp and Go, said the group were pleased to be able to support the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society.

“We became aware of the Society’s work through the ‘Celebrations of the Sea’ exhibition and since then we’ve been delighted to lend our support wherever possible. We are all connected to the sea through our love of sea shanties, maritime history and Cornwall so there is a real synergy with the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society which does fantastic work in the area supporting seafarers in need.”

Those attending the event on 1 February at 7pm at The Seiners are asked to make a £10 donation which will go to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and in return will receive a sea food dinner and an evening of entertainment.

For more information about the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society or Stamp and Go visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk or www.stamp-and-go.co.uk

“The main benefit that is not being claimed is Pension Credit. The government says that a single person in retirement requires a minimum income of £137.35 per week (£209.70 for a couple) yet the state pension, which is the only source of income for many of our beneficiaries, is £102.15 so they are losing out on an extra £35.00 per week – 25 percent of what they are entitles to!”

According to Age UK about 4 million older people are entitled to Pension Credit, yet about 1 in 3 of those eligible are not claiming it.

As well as providing grants, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society also supplies household items such as washing machines or disabled adaptations in times of need. The Society handled 729 new applications for assistance last year suggesting help for this vulnerable community is still very much in demand.

For more information about the work of the Society visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk or call 01243 789329.