Covid fund remains open for merchant seafarers

The decision was made to extend the MCG Redundancy and Retraining Bursary Fund, which provides up to £500 for training, following discussions by funders, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Trinity House and the Nautilus Slater Fund. It was due to close at the end of March.

“We have decided to keep the fund open to support those who have recently lost their jobs and want to stay in the industry but need further training or requalification to do so,” said Commander Graham Hockley LVO RN, chair of MCG.

The fund, which is administered by the Marine Society on behalf of MCG, is aimed at merchant seafarers who have lost their job due to the pandemic and want to stay in the industry.

Since it opened in November 2020 the fund has helped more than 80 UK seafarers by providing over £36k in funding for training to help them stay in maritime. So far over 30% of beneficiaries have already got back into employment.

“This fund has been a real success story for MCG at a time when Covid hit many of our seafarers very hard,” added Commander Hockley. “By working together to fund training for those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, our members have made a real difference to their chances of getting another job in maritime.”

The closing date remains open-ended and will be reviewed according to demand and available funding. More information can be found at the Marine Society website.