Shipwrecked Mariners' Society

About Us

Grants

We Provide The Lifeline To Keep Him Afloat...

There are five main types of grants made by the Society:

Biannual Grant
Biannual grants are given twice each year to retired or permanently disabled fishermen and mariners, or their widows, whose financial situation warrants regular assistance.

Immediate Grant
Immediate grants are given to widows and children left in need following the death of a serving fisherman or mariner.

Special Grant
Special grants are given to fishermen, mariners or their widows and children who do not qualify for a Biannual Grant but who have some specific need.

Shipwreck
Practical - and where appropriate financial - assistance to shipwrecked survivors landed on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland.

Death Benefit Grant
Death Benefit Grants are the single grant paid to the widow of a Life Member of the Society under the former beneficial membership scheme.

If you would like to apply for assistance, or know someone who needs help, select this link to view and print a form or select this link to ask us to send you a form.
(Please note applications for assistance can only be accepted from the UK and Ireland)

Last year, the Society paid out over £1.6M.

Here are some examples of the assistance that we have provided:

“I write to thank you for the yearly grant that is such a help in many ways; especially my independence in travelling - there being no public transport in the district. I must also send my thanks and appreciation for the generous grant covering the cost of my adjustable bed. The latter is proving to be a tremendous help with my breathing problems that are particularly bad at night. Will you please convey my thanks to everyone who makes the grants possible.”
This ex-fisherman who spent 20 years at sea has qualified for a regular grant since 2000. Suffering from heart problems and deteriorating breathing difficulties he had to try and sleep propped up with pillows, Mr J paid a deposit towards a much-needed adjustable bed and the Society funded the balance.

“Please accept my thanks for having arranged to have my back windows replaced. They really are a dream and only fitted just in time as the wind blew the bedroom one out last weekend. Please accept my sincere thanks. I know my husband would be so grateful too.”
84 year-old widow needed urgent help to replace windows. The Society was able to assist with a special grant to cover the cost.

“I would like to thank your committee for buying my recliner chair which arrived this morning. This will make my life a lot easier - and my wife’s. It will mean I can be in the same room as my wife for longer periods, as I used to have to go to bed to ease my back. Again I thank you.”
Having suffered a heart attack in 2000 and a stroke in 2002 this gentleman, aged 62 is receiving treatment for asbestosis and spinal cancer. We were able to purchase a special recliner chair to enable him to spend more time in the company of his wife rather than being bed ridden for much of the time.

“I would like to thank the Shipwrecked Mariners so very much for helping me. The cooker is wonderful and to make a roast dinner was really excellent. I can’t explain my gratitude to you.”
64 year-old merchant mariner had to leave the sea in 1995 through ill health. Now suffering from heart disease and aggressive bowel cancer his circumstances meant he needed his cooker replaced with some urgency which the Society was able to arrange through its COMET scheme. After review we found that the gentleman could also be taken on as a regular grant beneficiary.

“What a joy it was to receive my grant cheque - it will makes such a difference to our lives. With this first cheque we will be renewing our old washing machine, which we have nursed along for 30 years!”
Both Mr and Mrs M struggle with debilitating health issues. After previous assistance in 2005, following our advice they now receive all the statutory benefits to which they are entitled, although their situation resulted in serious financial difficulties. After reviewing the case we were able to lighten the load to some extent by taking Mr M on as a regular grant beneficiary.

May I please express my sincere thanks to you and your committee for the help with removal expenses. Words cannot really express my feelings, as in a few short weeks my life has improved by some 50%. Not having to walk up the road because of the steepness of the hill, I can now go for short walks at any time.
79-year-old gentleman with heart disease had to move from a second floor flat to a suitably adapted ground floor flat. SMS provided funds for a standard setting up home grant.

I would like to say thank you for what your people have done for me. I am glad to know that seamen are never forgotten. I only wish I could be back at sea as I miss it so much.
We were able to give special help to a regular beneficiary through our COMET scheme.

In the past I had not applied for Pension Credit as I thought it would affect my Council Tax Benefit, however after taking your advice that I was eligible, I am pleased to say it has been confirmed and I will be receiving £13.10 weekly which will be a big help with living expenses. Without your help, which I very much appreciate, I would never have applied.
An example of how, by ensuring all potential beneficiaries receive the benefits to which they are entitled, we can make a significant difference in peoples lives.

I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for supplying a new cooker. It has made a huge difference to me as I have begun to take a new interest in cooking and my meals are far more nutritionally balanced.
90-year-old widow suffering with arthritis in her hands and a previously broken hip. Her husband died in 1982 after 31 years sea service.

I am very grateful for what you are already going to give me. I never expected such help as this.
Having retired from the sea after 38 years service this gentleman was taken on as a regular beneficiary in 2002. Our HA reported that Mr S had no cooker, fridge or washing machine and only two stools in the lounge. SMS was able to make a grant to purchase the kitchen appliances.

I cannot thank the Society enough for my generous grant which I received at the end of last month. On the same evening our nine-year old fridge broke down and because of my grant, we were able to order a new one. You made this possible and we are very grateful.
A beneficiary is able to make immediate and very good use of his regular grant, which obviously arrived just in time.

Because they are not very good at letter writing, Mr M and his good lady wife have asked me to write on their behalf to express their extreme gratitude for all the help you have given, and are still giving them. I can assure you that the grant has improved their quality of life beyond belief.
SSAFA caseworker writes on behalf of his client who SMS was able to help. He also thanked the SMS team for the support given to all his clients and went on to say ...you make our work here at SSAFA that much easier.

My mum and I would like to thank you all so much for the help you have given. Mum is so grateful for the new carpets.
Daughter writes on behalf of her 76 year-old widowed mother who lost most of her house contents due to severe flooding. SMS funding purchased a new bed and carpets.

On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank you all for your generous decision to allow us a new cooker. It is not easy to live on disability benefits, but knowing help is available in an emergency is a great comfort.
54 year-old seafarer with widespread osteoarthritis hasn’t been able to work since 1992 but struggles to remain debt free. With his wife also suffering ill health, the Society was pleased to be able to meet their request for a new electric cooker.