The Society's objectives and principal activities are to promote, mainly by way of financial assistance, the welfare of former seafarers or their dependents who are in needy circumstances. The methods by which the welfare of this group of people is addressed by the Society are as follows:   Provision of a quarterly grant - this is the principal means of support given; Home visits to beneficiaries who are housebound, in hospital or on request Provision of a social and lunch club on certain weekdays; Provision of periodic social outings and events.

Beneficiaries should be British, resident in central Scotland, and normally over 60 (female) and 65 (male) and have served for 10 years. The criteria for giving help are based on sea service, age and income/expenditure.