Hundreds of seafarers are being urged to give their views on the services and support available during visits to UK ports in a new survey.
The UK Port Welfare Seafarers’ Survey, launched today by leading maritime charity the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), will shine a light on improvements needed to enhance seafarers’ welfare.
The survey focuses on gaining an insight in three main areas: shore leave, connectivity and mental health & wellbeing support.
Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of the MNWB which is the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and fishing fleets that provides support to seafarers, fishers and their dependents, said:
“We want to hear from as many seafarers, far and wide, as possible to get their views and experiences of port welfare services in the UK.
“Findings from the survey will be instrumental in helping to design and deliver future welfare provision for seafarers.
“As part of our role as the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, it is our duty to ensure that no seafarer or fisher is left without welfare support. Where welfare support is lacking, we will work tirelessly with the necessary bodies to ensure the needs of seafarers are met.”
With the help of maritime welfare charities, the surveys are being distributed primarily through port chaplains, ship welfare visitors and seafarers’ centres as well as organisations who come into contact with seafarers.
With over an estimated 1.9m seafarers globally, the survey is also available in the following languages: Indonesian, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Ukrainian.
The survey closed on July 31 2023.
