The newly launched 20-minute survey is aimed at seafarers (UK Nationals only) with responses intended to help shape the future of welfare support offered by national maritime welfare charities. This survey responds to the multitude of challenges faced by the UK’s seafarers, from the cost-of-living crisis and the global pandemic to the impact of wars in the Red and the Black seas, mass redundancies and a crewing crisis.

It will provide valuable evidence for the UK’s maritime welfare charities, giving fresh insights into the welfare needs of UK seafarers and their dependents. It will help them tailor existing services such as ship visiting and other port-based welfare services, pastoral support, retirement accommodation, helplines and advice on housing and welfare benefits for the next generation.

The survey gives UK nationals an unprecedented opportunity to have their voices heard on a range of issues at sea, in port, and at home. By taking part, seafarers can express their concerns and shape the future of maritime welfare charity services for all in need of extra support and help in times of trouble. It is open for responses from UK working and former seafarers in all non-military sectors of seafaring, their dependents, and providers of maritime welfare services for UK seafarers. Participants are also sought to take part in one-to-one interviews and/or larger focus groups, and all shared information is strictly anonymised and confidential.

The survey, which will be open until 30^th Sept 2024 is a comparable study to that being carried out with the UK’s Royal Navy and Royal Marines by Greenwich Hospital and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, in partnership with the RAF Benevolent Fund.