What Sailors' Society does

Sailors' Society is a UK-registered maritime welfare charity, founded in 1818 and headquartered in Southampton, operating under royal patronage (currently King Charles III). It supports the global seafarer workforce of approximately 1.9 million and their families through a "circle of care" spanning cadetship, active sea service, crisis intervention and shore-based support. Core services include a 24/7 multilingual helpline (phone, chat, email), the Crisis Response Network for piracy, imprisonment, war, shipwreck and bereavement incidents, a Wellness at Sea programme (Sea Ready, Sea Mate, Sea Coach, facilitated training), moderated peer-to-peer support groups on WhatsApp and Telegram, an offline-capable MyWellness e-learning app (TalentLMS web, Epignosis mobile), and the proactive Ship Connect outbound calling service. The organisation also provides emergency and trauma therapy grants, family support, and cadet-specific programming in Africa, India and Sri Lanka.

The operating model is a hybrid of charitable donations and corporate contracts. Direct services to seafarers and families are provided free of charge, funded by individual donations, legacies, trusts and foundations, mass-participation fundraising events (London Marathon, Kiltwalks, Fansipan Challenge) and corporate partnerships. The Wellness at Sea programme is sold on an annual subscription basis (quote-based, pricing not publicly disclosed) to shipping companies including Seaspan, G2 Ocean, Britannia and others, with co-development partners such as NorthStandard for Sea Mate. Distribution is global, with chaplaincy and delivery staff across the UK, South Africa, Philippines, India, Indonesia, South America and Ukraine-language coverage, and concentrated presence at flagship maritime industry events (Posidonia 2026 Supported Charity, Capital Link forums, UK Chamber of Shipping). The 2023 strategic pivot to 24/7 virtual support and a 2025 hiring of a Singapore-based Sales Executive indicate a deliberate shift toward a digital-first, commercially monetised service model layered onto the traditional donation base.

Name

Sailors' Society

Legal name

Sailors' Society

Website

https://sailors-society.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1818

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Sailors' Society is a UK-registered maritime welfare charity, founded in 1818, that supports the global 1.9 million seafarer workforce and their families through a 24/7 helpline, crisis response, wellness training, peer support groups and emergency grants, funded by donations, corporate partnerships and events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Welfare Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Vessel Husbandry & Crew Services (Crew Change, Meet & Assist, Transport, Shore Passes) (TLAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Crew, Marine & Offshore Travel Management (TMCs) (THACAAAG)

Keywords

• Maritime welfare services
• Seafarer support
• Crisis response network
• Wellness training programmes
• Peer support groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations from supporters, including specific giving campaigns such as Christmas Appeal and Red Sea Crisis Appeal. Donation amounts suggested include £20 for helpline costs, £55 for counselling sessions, £78 for emergency medical treatment.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship: Partnerships with shipping companies and maritime industry stakeholders for funding and support. Companies like Swire Shipping and Wah Kwong have made donations. Wellness at Sea training programmes sold to corporate clients.
3. Event Fundraising: Participation events including London Marathon, virtual marathon events, Fansipan Challenge trekking, Kiltwalks, and scavenger hunts that raise funds for the charity.
4. Legacies and Wills: Gifts in wills as a form of legacy giving supported by the organisation.
5. Trusts and Foundations: Funding from charitable trusts and foundations for specific programmes and initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Sailors' Society is a non-profit maritime charity delivering 24/7 helpline support, a global Crisis Response Network, wellness training programmes, peer-to-peer support groups, and emergency financial grants for seafarers and their families. It also sells corporate wellness programmes (Wellness at Sea, Sea Mate, Sea Ready, Sea Coach, Facilitated Training, Ship Connect) to shipping companies and the maritime industry, supported by an offline-capable MyWellness e-learning platform.

Product overview

Sailors' Society offers a comprehensive suite of seafarer welfare services centred on its 'circle of care' philosophy, supporting maritime professionals from cadetship through their entire career. The core offering includes a 24/7 Helpline (with Female Helpline variant), Crisis Response Network for critical incidents (piracy, imprisonment, war, shipwreck, bereavement), and Peer-to-Peer Support Groups accessible via WhatsApp and Telegram. The Wellness at Sea programme serves as the preventive care umbrella, encompassing Wellness at Sea Conferences, Facilitated Training, Sea Mate (Wellbeing Officer training), Sea Ready (pre-boarding preparation), Sea Coach (one-on-one coaching), Ship Connect (proactive crew outreach), and the MyWellness e-learning platform delivered via TalentLMS web and My WAS mobile app. Additional services include Grants for Seafarers (with Trauma Therapy Grants), and the Awareness Campaign providing wellbeing resources for seafarers, families, and shore staff. Cadet-specific offerings include dedicated Peer-to-Peer Support Groups and regional Cadet Wellness at Sea programmes in Africa, India, and Sri Lanka.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wellness at Sea: A comprehensive wellness programme for seafarers providing training, coaching, and support for mental health and wellbeing at sea.
• MyWellness
• Sea Mate
• Sea Ready
• Sea Coach
• Crisis Response Network (CRN)
• Ship Connect

Products and services

• Helpline A 24/7 helpline providing emotional support, crisis assistance, and welfare help to seafarers and their families globally via phone, instant chat, and email.
• Crisis Response Network Trained global team providing immediate and long-term trauma support for seafarers and families following critical incidents including abandonment, imprisonment, piracy, war, shipwreck, and bereavement.
• Peer-to-Peer Support Groups Confidential moderated support groups on WhatsApp and Telegram for seafarers across various categories including captains, female seafarers, maritime pilots, LGBTQ+, those affected by the Ukraine crisis, families, cadets, and Christian seafarers.
• Wellness at Sea Programme Comprehensive wellness coaching programme sold to shipping companies to support the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers throughout their careers, encompassing Sea Mate, Sea Ready, Sea Coach, Facilitated Training, and Ship Connect modules.
• Facilitated Training In-depth facilitated training delivered by the Sailors' Society team, ensuring seafarers know how to look after themselves and their crew mates.
• Sea Mate Training programme equipping Wellbeing Officers with skills to provide support on board vessels, delivered in partnership with NorthStandard.
• Sea Ready Concise pre-departure refresher training for seafarers before they board a new ship, available online or in-person.
• Sea Coach Personalised one-on-one coaching service designed to support seafarers navigating change and advancing their careers.
• MyWellness e-learning Interactive wellness e-learning app and web platform available to seafarers, working both online and offline via the My WAS mobile app (iOS/Android) and TalentLMS web.
• Ship Connect Proactive outreach service that regularly calls crews on board ships to check on their wellbeing and identify any issues early.
• Grants for Seafarers Emergency financial support including Trauma Therapy Grants for seafarers in crisis, covering medical treatment, repatriation, and other urgent needs.

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Posidonia ExhibitionsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Supported Charity at Posidonia 2026 - one of the world's largest shipping exhibitions. Sailors' Society team present throughout the week at the major industry event. Partnership includes recognition at Posidonia Games including Shipsoccer Tournament and Running Event.
• UK Chamber of ShippingcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Charity Partner at 2026 UKCOS Summer Lunch. Event brings together members and partners celebrating Scotland's vital contribution to UK Shipping. Partnership opportunity to connect with maritime industry stakeholders.
• Capital LinkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Supporting organisation at 8th Annual Capital Link Singapore Maritime Forum and 10th Capital Link Maritime Leaders Summit (part of Posidonia Week). Forum explores key developments in energy, commodities, shipping sectors and maritime topics.
• NorthStandardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Partnership with NorthStandard for the Sea Mate programme - an industry-leading training programme equipping Wellbeing Officers with skills to provide support on board vessels. NorthStandard members can register for Sea Mate training through the partnership.
• Seaspan CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Long-standing partnership since 2015 with Wellness at Sea programme. Seaspan has seen great progress with crew motivation and retention going up to very high levels, positively impacting operational fleet performance. This is cited as a key reference partnership demonstrating programme effectiveness.
• Seaspan Crew Management IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaptain Manoj Gandhi serves as Country Head & Director; supports cadet conferences and wellness initiatives for cadets through the maritime school network.
• UK Maritime Pilots' AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Campaign Safe Haven providing mental health and wellbeing support for maritime professionals including pilots who face 24/7, dangerous and lonely working conditions.
• AXSMarineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany statement emphasising commitment to giving back to seafarers and families as part of corporate community values.
• The Baltic ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor for Louis Lawrence, Deck cadet at Warsash Maritime Academy, demonstrating support for cadet welfare programmes.
• G2 OceanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany operates largest fleet of break-bulk vessels. Employee Menandro Boado participated in London Marathon 2026 as fundraiser.
• IMO (International Maritime Organization)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMO Secretary-General provided foreword for bullying and harassment report. Multiple IMO staff participated in fundraising events. IMO supports Sailors' Society's Day of the Seafarer 2025 campaign.
• Human Rights at SeaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganisation contributing data and commentary to State of the Industry Snapshot on bullying and harassment at sea.
• Safer WavesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganisation contributing expertise and data to bullying and harassment report.
• International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime charity partnering with Sailors' Society and ISWAN to call for urgent updated guidance on wartime mental health support for seafarers trapped in Gulf conflict zone.
• ISWAN (International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime charity partnering with Sailors' Society and ITF to call for urgent updated guidance on wartime mental health support for seafarers trapped in Gulf conflict zone.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• ISWAN (International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network): Umbrella body for port welfare organisations that runs its own 24/7 SeafarerHelp helpline and welfare grants. Direct comparator to Sailors' Society — both serve the same seafarer segments, and the two organisations publicly partner on wartime mental health guidance.
• The Mission to Seafarers: Long-established Anglican maritime welfare charity providing ship-visiting, port chaplains and 24/7 support to seafarers globally. Closest like-for-like peer by mission, faith tradition, age, and global port-chaplaincy footprint.
• Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea): Catholic maritime charity operating ship-visiting and welfare services through port chaplains worldwide. Same end-user (seafarer), same channel (port-based chaplaincy + helpline-style support), comparable scale and donor base.
• Seafarers UK: UK grant-making charity dedicated to seafarer welfare, funding port welfare organisations and welfare initiatives. Closely overlapped mission and beneficiary base; differs in that Seafarers UK is primarily a funder while Sailors' Society delivers services directly.
• The Seafarers' Charity: Major UK maritime welfare grant-maker that actively funds Sailors' Society's Crisis Response Network. Same beneficiary population and overlapping industry funder pool; comparable in scale and remit.
• ITF Seafarers' Trust: Arm of the International Transport Workers' Federation providing welfare grants and support programmes to seafarers and their families. Public partner with Sailors' Society on Gulf wartime guidance and overlapping seafarer welfare remit.

Emerging players

• Human Rights at Sea: Independent maritime human rights charity that contributes data and commentary to Sailors' Society's State of the Industry Snapshot reports. Smaller and more advocacy-focused, but increasingly influential in the same bullying/harassment policy space.
• Safer Waves: Maritime welfare charity focused on seafarer bullying and harassment. Partner/contributor to Sailors' Society's bullying report — narrower remit but growing voice in the same policy area.

Others

• NorthStandard (P&I Club): Marine insurer (P&I club) that co-funds Sailors' Society's Sea Mate wellbeing officer training programme. Adjacent industry enabler rather than a charity competitor — relevant because it channels shipping industry funding into Sailors' Society's commercial stream.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO): United Nations specialised agency that sets maritime standards and endorses Sailors' Society campaigns (Day of the Seafarer, bullying report). Not a peer service provider but a critical institutional stakeholder and endorsement channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SailorsSociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sailors-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/sailors_society
• TikToktiktok.com/@sailorssociety
• Xx.com/sailorssociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sailors' Society