Extension of Seafarers Bursary Scheme

Circular No: NP/185/22

TO ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.

Our ref: S7/3/5

1st September 2022

Dear Colleagues

Extension of Seafarers Bursary Scheme

Further to Circular no. 164/21 of 19th May 2021, the Maritime Charities Group (MCG) has announced that the Redundancy and Retraining Bursary Fund will close later this month.

The bursary, modestly funded by industry was launched to assist Merchant Navy seafarers made redundant during the pandemic and has been extended twice, including in the aftermath of P&O Ferries assault on UK seafarer jobs earlier this year. Since November 2020, over £45,000 has been claimed by over 100 seafarers to re-train and find work in the industry.

The scheme closes to new applications on 16th September but there is still some funding left. £500 can be claimed to help meet the cost of training or qualifications for Ratings looking to re-enter the industry. If you or an RMT member or former member you know would benefit from this support, I would urge you to apply before 16th September at: https://www.marine-society.org/redundancy-fund

Seafarer bursary schemes are welcome but your union’s policy remains direct public funding for Ratings training and re-training schemes to recover jobs.

I would be grateful if you could bring the contents of this circular to the attention of members in your branch and you will be kept updated with all further developments.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary