The Annual Award for Services to Seafarers Welfare is aimed both at staff and volunteers who have made a significant contribution to seafarers' welfare over a long period.  This year the MNWB have, once again, made two awards. 

The first sadly, was a posthumous award made to Mrs Helen Roth.  Helen was the longest serving member of the night staff team at Nautilus Welfare Fund's Mariners Park and delivered quality care with enormous dignity.  She was professional, sensitive, and had compassion for those she cared for.  Helen would visit residents when staying in hospital, was highly respected and will be greatly missed by residents and staff alike.  Helen's husband Rod accepted the award on her behalf.

The second was awarded to Trevor Goacher, Chief Executive of The Merchant Seamen's War Memorial Society more commonly known as Springbok.  Trevor first joined the team at Springbok in 1991, managing the property portfolio and assisting in social and promotional activities. In 1994 he took on the role as Welfare Officer and in 1998 was instated as the Society's Chief Executive.  He subsequently led an evaluation that led to some major organisational improvements to provide a service, within the resources available, that is now better suited to meeting the needs of the seafarers in residence.