Merchant Navy Fund Grants Programme

The Merchant Navy Fund provides grant funding to registered charities that support UK Merchant Navy seafarers in need and their families. The Fund works with organizations to deliver support to three key beneficiary groups: older seafarers and their dependants (partners and children), working-age seafarers, and families and dependants of working-age seafarers. Organizations must be registered charities with appropriate banking arrangements requiring two unrelated signatories. Since 2012, the Fund has awarded over £700,000 in grants to organizations supporting UK Merchant Navy seafarers in need and their families. The Merchant Navy Fund does not give grants directly to individuals but works through partner organizations who can provide assistance. Applicants must demonstrate that beneficiaries hold UK passports and have seafarer eligibility through documentation such as logbooks showing more than one day's service.