Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
Welfare

Nautilus flags financial help available to furloughed seafarers

24 March 2020

Nautilus has flagged its support for maritime professionals facing growing financial constraints due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many seafarers on short term contracts – including offshore workers – will be unable to join their vessels and may be facing continued unemployment and job insecurity in the current crisis.

'There are doubts in the industry that some seafarers will be able to access the government's wage support measures for furloughed workers, because most UK seafarers have offshore contracts,' Nautilus general secretary Mark Dickinson said.

The Union is working to get better access to government funding streams with social partners RMT Union, the UK Chamber of Shipping and the Department for Transport (DfT).

'Obviously there is much we can do too as a trade union, and charity and we will be emphasising that over the coming days, but we are also raising awareness of our partner's resources at this time.'

Financial and social support is available to furloughed crew from several Nautilus partner maritime charities.

  • The Seafarers' Advice & Information Line (SAIL) is a citizens advice service for merchant seafarers, fishermen and members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) that can provide information on financial support including benefits, debt relief, housing and charity grants. SAIL is run by Greenwich Citizens Advice Bureaux on behalf of the Seafarers Hospital.
  • Seafarers UK is a leading provider of grants to maritime charities including the Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker service.
  • Seafarers UK also offers individual support through Seafarer Support, a free telephone help assessment service for seafarers and Turn2Us, a national charity providing practical help and financial grants to people who are struggling financially.
  • The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) is a charity that promotes co-operation between organisations that provide welfare services to merchant seafarers and their dependants within the UK. It does not give grants to individuals, but provides grants for capital and smaller projects to organisations supporting maritime workers.

Nautilus members who are concerned or are experiencing difficulties related to the coronavirus outbreak are advised to contact their industrial organiser for assistance. In an emergency members can also contact the Nautilus 24/7 helpline.

More Nautilus assistance and our coronavirus resource hub can be found on our Assistance page.

 


Tags

More articles

Featured
Health and safety

Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus

  • Telegraph
  • 17 March 2021
Welfare

Financial issues: help is just a call away

  • Telegraph
  • 11 January 2021
Nautilus news

Nautilus survey of members highlights financial support gap

  • Telegraph
  • 26 May 2020
Members at work

Nautilus protests 'draconian' sick pay suspensions for Stena Line ferry members

Nautilus has protested 'draconian' steps taken by Stena Line ferries to suspend its sick pay scheme in response to pressures from the coronavirus pandemic without consultation with unions.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Insights: how the coronavirus spread on cruiseship Diamond Princess

Insights: how the coronavirus spread on cruiseship Diamond Princess

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
International

ITF demands global rights for transport workers during Covid-19 pandemic

Nautilus has welcomed a move by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to ensure that transport workers' rights around the world are upheld during the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Union criticises satellite providers for failing to give crew free internet

Nautilus has criticised plans by satellite service providers to offer crew stuck onboard discounted internet and telecommunications services, calling for free access globally.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Australian ports relax quarantines for transiting seafarers

Maritime unions in Australia have welcomed a decision by Western Australian port authorities to relax rules which meant that seafarers transiting the country had to spend 14 days in quarantine before being allowed to leave.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Government

European Commission approves 'Green Lane' system for free movement of transport workers

In the face of declarations from several EU countries that they will be closing their borders during the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Commission is insisting that there must still be cross-border movement of freight on land and at sea to ensure the delivery of essential supplies.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Port authorities failing to give seafarers basic medical care amid Covid-19 pandemic

Unwell seafarers are being denied basic medical care by port authorities struggling to deal with the spread of the Covid-19 virus and are being forced to rely on radio medical advice.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Health and safety

Stella Maris welfare support pledge for seafarers and fishing vessel crews

Port chaplains are making the digital transition to adapt and continue their welfare service support for seafarers and fishing vessel crews during the coronavirus pandemic.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
International

Singapore shuts its border to seafarers

Singapore, one of the world's busiest ports, will from 23 March at 23:59hrs shut its borders to seafarers and passengers on short term visits and crew changes will also be banned.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Health and safety

DFDS suspends onboard services as part of UK bar and restaurant ban

Ferry operator DFDS has decided to suspend its onboard services on UK-France routes during the Covid-19 pandemic – in line with the UK government's decision to close pubs and restaurants on land.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Members at work

Social partners unite to protect maritime professionals during pandemic

Nautilus has joined with Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and the UK Chamber of Shipping to protect the national interest from the economic impact of the Covid-19 emergency.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Government

Covid-19: Nautilus presses Scottish government on relief crew travel, shore leave and keeping ports open

Nautilus and other transport unions have held a high-level meeting with the Scottish Government to urge special recognition of seafarers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Health and safety

ITF calls for affiliates to share best practices in supporting seafarers during Covid-19 pandemic

Seafarer unions globally have been asked to share their government's best practices on dealing with the Covid-19 global health emergency.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020
Health and safety

Maritime professionals top of agenda as Union and social partners lobby for vital protections

The importance of seafarers to the world economy has been driven home by Nautilus International in highlighting the vital role they play keeping trade and goods flowing – including medical supplies – during the coronavirus pandemic

  • News
  • 20 March 2020