The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) is a registered charity formed by the UK government out of the ‘Seamen’s Welfare Board’ in 1948 following the end of the Second World War. Initially, the UK Government was heavily involved with many displaced seafarers following hostilities. In recent years, the marked reduction in size of the UK Merchant Navy has led to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency having a seat on the Council as an ‘observer’.
Based in Southampton, the MNWB, commonly referred to as the Board, is the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy & Fishing Fleets. Its Council of Management has an equal number of trustees representing ship owners, maritime trade unions and voluntary organisations (Mission to Seafarers, Stella Maris, Fishermen’s Mission etc.). The Board has 45 maritime charity constituent organisations who provide a plethora of services that support the welfare of seafarers and their dependants. The Board does not actively fundraise but uses the income on its investments to help charities improve the lives of seafarers, fishers and their dependants irrespective of nationality, religion or ethnic background.
MNWB is the UK’s National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, appointed by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in 2021. In practice, we have been fulfilling this role since we were founded in 1948 but now have an even greater focus on improving the welfare of seafarers and fishers as required by MLC, 2006 and the C188 Work in Fishing Convention.
Working with our constituent members, the MCA and the Department for Transport, our aim is support and equip those organisations that provide front line welfare services to all seafarers and fishers visiting UK ports.