Umbrella charity unveils revamped Ship Welfare Visitor Course to strengthen support for seafarers
The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets that represents 47 member organisations, has unveiled a fully refreshed version of its popular Ship Welfare Visitor course.
Developed for the wide network of maritime charity staff and volunteers supporting seafarers, from port chaplains to frontline welfare teams, the course provides essential grounding in safe, respectful and effective ship visiting.
The new-look course places a real emphasis on The MLC 2006 (Seafarers’ Bill of Rights) and C188 (Fishers Rights) and more in-depth coverage of the ISPS – International Ship Port Security Code.
All successful participants receive a photographic ID card endorsed by their organisation – a credential widely recognised by port authorities and ship officers.
Deputy Chief Executive of MNWB Sharon Coveney, who has project managed the transition to the new platform, said:
“Ship visiting gives seafarers a lifeline to the outside world, especially for those who spend many months away from loved ones. This training underpins that support by ensuring every visitor knows what to expect when they step on board and how to carry out their role safely.”
The training is delivered in partnership with the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) and is formally approved by the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). The training is free to all members of NAMMA and ICMA.
Jason Zuidema, Executive Director of NAMMA and General Secretary of ICMA, added:
“Serving seafarers well requires more than goodwill; it depends on shared practices, mutual trust, and structures that allow care to be offered faithfully and consistently. By moving the Ship Welfare Visitor course to MNWB’s renewed platform and making it freely available to ICMA and NAMMA members, this change strengthens those foundations, ensuring that the people who meet seafarers at the gangway are supported by training that reflects both the dignity of the work and the realities of life at sea.”
Course objectives include:
- Introducing the structure of the shipping industry and seafarer welfare networks
- Outlining maritime customs and operational practices
- Describing ship types, crew organisation, trade patterns and onboard hazards
- Promoting safe conduct during ship and port facility visits
- Raising awareness of current security considerations
- Strengthening the purpose and methods of ship visiting
- Explaining the fundamentals of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
The course, that was first launched nine years ago, has been well used by those frontline welfare societies across the sector. This includes Stella Maris and The Mission to Seafarers, international charities that provide practical and pastoral care to all seafarers and fishers.
Tim Hill, CEO/National Director of Stella Maris, said:
“These courses are invaluable for our chaplains and volunteer ship visitors, both here in the UK and around the world too. Developed in partnership with MNWB and across the ICMA and NAMMA networks, the Ship Welfare Visitor course online provides a shared foundation of good practice and professionalism, helping to ensure continuity of welfare care across the globe and strengthening our collective ability to offer consistent, compassionate support to seafarers wherever they are.”
Tomilayo Toluhi, Chief Operating Officer at The Mission to Seafarers, said:
“The Ship Welfare Visitor Course has long been an essential foundation for the Mission to Seafarers ship welfare teams across the world. By equipping new and experienced ship visitors with shared standards of practice, this valuable resource ensures that seafarers receive consistent, high‑quality support wherever our teams encounter them. Making the course freely available to ICMA and NAMMA members is a significant step that will further strengthen our collective commitment to professional and compassionate care.”
Register for the course HERE