Welfare

Hardship support for members

Nautilus provides benevolent assistance to members and their dependants in times of urgent need, whether due to illness or another cause. Members from any national branch who are serving maritime professionals can approach the Union for help in times of difficulty and may be eligible for a small grant or loan from a discretionary fund. Retired seafarers based in the UK can apply for assistance from the Nautilus Welfare Fund (see below).

Welfare in the Netherlands

In the Nautilus Netherlands branch, the welfare of members and other serving seafarers is attended to by a member of staff dedicated to visiting ships. Serving members can request a ship visit at the Port of Rotterdam by contacting infonl@nautilusint.org.uk.

Collaborative welfare work

Nautilus plays a major role in national and international work to ensure the provision of good welfare services for serving and retired seafarers.

Internationally, we are involved with the ITF Seafarers' Trust, which makes grants for welfare projects and services to seafarers around the world.

In the UK, the Union is an active member of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, which brings unions, owners and maritime charities together to ensure that the needs of seafarers are met – whether they are UK-based or from an international crew visiting a UK port.

Nautilus is also involved in the UK Maritime Charities Group, which seeks to coordinate the delivery of services and support and to ensure that the changing needs of seafarers and their dependants are responded to with innovative and effective programmes.

Nautilus Welfare Fund grants and advice

In the UK, much of the Union's welfare support is directed towards retired members and other older seafarers, via the Nautilus Welfare Fund. This registered UK charity, administered by Nautilus, can offer one-off grants for essential items including household repairs.

The Fund also has caseworkers who visit retired seafarers around the UK to advise on their eligibility for grants and benefits (whether from the Nautilus Welfare Fund, other maritime charities or from the government) and help them complete application forms. To enquire about booking a visit from a Nautilus Welfare Fund caseworker for a retired UK seafarer, email welfare@nautilusint.org or call +44 (0)151 346 8840.

Mariners' Park

The Nautilus Welfare Fund offers supported accommodation for UK-based retired seafarers and their dependants at its Mariners' Park estate on the banks of the river Mersey near Liverpool.

There is modern, accessible housing for independent living, surrounded by like-minded neighbours and with access to a range of support services. The Mariners' Park Care Home is located on the same site, providing residential and nursing care, as well as short breaks and respite care, to a range of applicants from the maritime community.