The Watch Ashore provides support and friendship, to partners and families of Merchant Navy personnel, with this support coming in various forms.
Emotional Support and Reassurance
Members of the Watch Ashore provide each other with emotional support and reassurance, having been in similar situations themselves. We are able to share practical support for members who are facing any difficulties that may arise being at home while their partners are at sea.
Social Activities and Companionship
We know how difficult it is being at home when our partners are at sea, and so branches and the national organisation endeavour to arrange regular contact with each other through social activities. These activities include monthly meetings, coffee, lunches, dinners and excursions. All these events and activities provide the opportunity to build strong friendships. We also meet up once a year for a few days for our AGMs which are a very popular event..
Signposts to other support available
Through many years of being the wives/partners bringing up children and having to cope with difficult situations whilst our men were at sea, we have accumulated a wealth of knowledge connected to the industry, along with a network of contacts that can advise and offer support in many ways. This may be in the form of financial support, emergency accommodation or simply information on a particular query.
If you are aware of or work with individuals or families related to merchant navy mariners, or are simply concerned about a friend, relative or neighbour the Watch Ashore can be a source of help. You can contact us by email or connect via Facebook and twitter.
Resources
The following websites may be able to give you more information on specific enquiries
Mission to
Seafarers
www.missiontoseafarers.org
+44(0)20 7248 5202
The
Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB)
www.mnwb.org – +44(0) 2380 337799
Seafarer
Support
www.seafarersupport.org – 0800 121 4765
Nautilus
UK
www.nautilusuk.org
Seafarers
UK
www.seafarers-uk.org – +44(0)20 7932 0000
Fishermensmission
www.fishermensmission.org.uk – +44(0) 1489 566915
SSAFA
www.ssafa.org.uk
Apostleship
of the Sea
www.apostlehipofthesea.org.uk
SAIL
(Seafarers Advice and information line)
www.sailine.org.uk – +44(0)20 8269 0921
Sailors
Society
www.sailors-society.org – +44(0)23 8051 5950
Seamen’s
Hospital Society
www.seahospital.org.uk – +44(0)20 8858 3696
Sailors
Childrens Society
www.sailorschildren.org.uk – +44(0)1482 342331
Naval
families Federation
www.nff.org.uk – +44(0)23 9265 4374
Merchant Navy Association