Sailors’ Society marks 10 years of crisis support
Sailors’ Society’s Crisis Response Network has been supporting seafarers and their loved ones through critical incidents at sea for a decade.
Formed as a response to the overwhelming need seafaring communities faced after Super Typhoon Haiyan, the maritime charity’s global CRN team is available 24/7 and provides a vital lifeline to the shipping industry, crews and their families when there is a critical incident at sea.
Sailors’ Society’s CEO, Sara Baade, said: “Whether it’s a shipwreck, a piracy attack, false imprisonment, abandonment, war, suicide, or accidental death, we stand side by side with those facing terrifying ordeals. We are there in the moments that matter most.”
In 2024 alone, the team supported 1,135 seafarers and their families through some of the most desperate times of their lives.
From providing a helpline and crisis management to offering face-to-face support, suicide prevention training, peer-to-peer support, grants and combating stigma around mental health. The support is immediate, and the care is long-term.
“Ten years of experience in this field has taught us that it can take considerable time and support to recover from a traumatic ordeal. That’s why we will stay alongside seafarers and their families for as long as they need our support. Our work helps them rebuild their lives,” added Sara.
The charity is marking this tenth anniversary by sharing just some of the personal stories of those they have helped.
These include a frightening piracy attack where the crew was held hostage for five years, a typhoon shipwreck that left crew fearing for their lives and an attempted suicide weeks from port that required around-the-clock support from the CRN team.
One seafarer explained how, in his darkest hour, he was able to comfort his fellow crew: “I tell them not to lose hope, Sailors’ Society is here for them and their families.”
Another, held hostage by pirates after they had killed his Captain, shared: “Sailors’ Society helped me get through that terrible ordeal. And were there when the nightmares came afterwards.”
Sailors’ Society’s Crisis Response Network is currently funded by long-term supporters, The Seafarers’ Charity and TK Foundation. UKP&I funds additional resources for the weekends.
And, in recognition of the value of CRN and to mark the 10th anniversary, Swire Shipping and Wah Kwong Maritime Transport have also generously donated towards this crisis support.
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