Record-breaking clawbacks in financial benefits and grants for retired seafarers

Nautilus caseworkers have continued their impressive work ensuring ex-mariners are getting the financial benefits and grants to which they are are entitled – helping generate over £1.2m for 753 retired seafarers in 2024.

The free service, run by the Nautilus Welfare Fund charity, has six caseworkers based in port areas of the UK: Merseyside; Hull and Grimsby; Southampton and Portsmouth; Glasgow; Cardiff and South Wales; and Tyne and Wear.

In 2024, some of the caseworkers managed to secure sums of between £63k and nearly £87k in financial benefits in the first three quarters of the year alone. In some cases, this could mean an annual household income rise for some individuals of nearly £11k.

The service has continued to build on previous successes in 2023, when the caseworkers supported a record 768 retired and needy seafarers and their dependants, and helped claw back over £1.2m in financial benefits and grants. The figures for benefits and grants secured have steadily risen since 2022, when caseworkers helped acquire £1.14m for 741 mariners .

Caseworkers can visit mariners in their own homes to help them secure grants for housing access, care and financial assessments, and many other services; as well as helping with benefits. Grant funding secured in 2024 ranged from less than £1k to over £13k. The service is also available to retired Merchant Navy seafarers living at Nautilus Mariners' Park.

In May 2024, funding for the Nautilus caseworker service was secured thanks to a new grant from The Seafarers' Charity of over £300k.

Planning your nautical retirement?

Mariners' Park supports retired and needy seafarers and their dependants who are aged over 55. The park offers a full range of independent living properties; a bespoke supportive living accommodation building for those with care needs; and a 36-bed care home that provides 24/7 care, nursing, dementia and palliative support. 

Accommodation is available now for those maritime professionals that have served in the Merchant Navy across all sectors, including maritime pilots and crew on large yachts, as well as those who have served in the Royal Navy.

Arrange a visit to Mariners' Park in Wallasey, UK, to talk about the retirement options or register to have your name added to the accommodation list, by emailing welfare@nautilusint.org or calling +44(0)151 346 8840. There is more information at www.nautiluswelfarefund.org

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About the Nautilus Welfare Fund

The Nautilus Welfare Fund is Nautilus International's registered charity. It provides support services in the UK for retired seafarers and their dependants and is based at the Mariners' Park Estate in Wallasey, near Liverpool.

The Fund is not just for Union members: all UK retired seafarers who can demonstrate a significant maritime career are eligible to apply for accommodation and grants.

The Fund provides:

• retirement accommodation at Mariners' Park for people living independently or requiring residential or nursing care
• care at home
• one-off grants
• caseworkers – a free and confidential service that helps seafarers claim welfare benefits and access grants

More on the Nautilus Welfare Fund Email the Nautilus Welfare Fund