International Seafarer Resources - UK
Welcome to the United Kingdom (UK)
UK Port Welfare Information
If you are a seafarer or fisher visiting a UK port then you may find the following information useful:
SeafarerHelp
Provides advice and information through the ISWAN 24 hour online welfare service. Families of seafarers can also use this service from anywhere in the world in languages that include Arabic, Tagalog, Mandarin, Hindi and Russian. The ISWAN SeafarerHelp staff can also contact welfare service providers on your behalf.
Port information leaflets
The MNWB Port Welfare Committees provide information on welfare services for visiting seafarers through a set of specially produced leaflets. Covering over 40 ports around the UK coastline and Gibraltar, the leaflets provide maps and contact details for ship visits, medical services, port transport links and other points of interest.
Port Visitor
The Port Visitor platform has been created to act as a directory of port facilities for seafarers and to enable port communities to review and improve the port welfare services they offer.
Join Port Visitor today.
UK Seafarers’ Centres & Port Welfare Services
There are over 30 seafarers’ center’s around the UK. These are operated by the maritime charity organisations listed below who also provide services such as ship welfare visiting, port transportation, spiritual & practical advice, and assistance.
Need ITF support?
For support from International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Inspectors in the UK and abroad use the look-up tool where you can also see ships listed, status of ITF agreements and unions affiliated to the ITF around the world.
Arrested & Detained vessels in the UK
If you find yourself on an arrested or detained ship then contact welfare services in the port and the local mission to ensure that you are given support for the time your ship is arrested. Do this directly or through SeafarerHelp
MNWB Booklet – Arrested and Detained Vessels and Abandoned Seafarers, is a guide to ‘who does what’ for ships arrested in the UK
Safety At Sea
The UK government Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the agency responsible for implementing the government’s maritime safety policy. Its branches include:
· Port State Control: contact the MCA Port State Control on 023 8032 9343 or email them at psc_headquarters@mcga.gov.uk
· Ship surveys: contact the MCA Ships Surveys Team on 023 8032 9213 or email them at hqsurvey.branch@mcga.gov.uk
· Health and safety of seafarers: contact the MCA Seafarer Safety and Health Branch on 023 8032 9246
MCA Out of hours duty surveyor , Technical Enquiries, +44 (0)7810 528504; note that this service is for Urgent Technical Enquiries that require action out of office hours only
Accidents & Casualty Reporting:
Marine Accident Investigation Branch ( MAIB ) – The MAIB investigates marine accidents involving UK vessels worldwide and all vessels in UK territorial waters
The Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme ( MARS ) is primarily a confidential reporting system run by The Nautical Institute to allow full reporting of accidents (and near misses) without fear of identification or litigation
The UK Confidential Reporting Programme for Aviation and Maritime ( CHIRP ) – an independent confidential (not anonymous) reporting system for all individuals employed in or associated with these industries, providing videos and lessons learned on safety issues for ships and yachts
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