Who We Are

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society - somewhere to turn to…

A message from Commodore Malcolm Williams, the Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society :

“For over 170 years, our aim has been the same - to relieve distress among the seafaring and ex-seafaring community. Thankfully, shipwrecks are fewer these days but they still occur, bringing tragedy in their wake, and then there are those who have left the sea, through accident, ill-health, for compassionate reasons, or on retirement, and their dependants, who are living on meagre incomes and in need of assistance. Please feel free to contact us should you require further information about any aspect of our work. Your support is much appreciated. Thank you.”

The Society was founded in 1839 as a result of the tragic loss of a fleet of fishing boats on the north Devon coast the previous year. A month later, Her Majesty Queen Victoria graciously announced herself Patron of the Society and since then it has been honoured by Royal Patronage.

Today, the Society still gives help in the event of shipwreck – several fishing vessels are lost every year - but our main purpose is to provide financial support to retired or permanently disabled seafarers and their widows/partners in cases of need. With a volunteer network of over 200 Honorary Agents throughout the British Isles, the Society handles several hundred new applications for assistance each year and distributes over £1million in dealing with over 2,500 cases.

Over 2,000 people receive regular six-monthly grants; others receive a special grant to meet a particular need ranging from essential household electrical goods, beds, repairs and clothing to mobility aids, priority debts and bankruptcy fees.

To be eligible, an applicant must be able to prove low-net income and normally a minimum of five years' sea service. Regular grants are not normally given to those under 60 years of age or with less than ten years’ sea service. If you would like to learn more about the types of grants that we provide, or if you would like to apply for assistance, please click here.

The Society is a member of The Merchant Navy Welfare Board and co-operates closely with other member charities to ensure that resources are distributed as fairly as possible where there is the greatest need.

The Society relies on legacies, an annual Christmas appeal, investments and grants, principally from Seafarers UK and Trinity House, and donations to meet its commitments. You may also have seen our large red collecting mines on the seafront.

If you want to know more please contact us

The annual Christmas Card Appeal has for some years been our main fundraising activity - click here to find out more.