Leading shipping charities have launched a scheme to help seafarers retrain for new jobs if they face redundancy as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Maritime Charities Group (MCG) is working with members Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and Trinity House, as well as the Marine Society, to provide money.
The bursary fund is worth up to £500 ($654) to workers based in the UK.
Trade unions have also been involved in drawing up the scheme to help prevent a "looming" employment crisis and the inevitable impact on the health and welfare of seafarers and their families, the MCG said.
Big jobs threat
"The cruise and ferry sectors have been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn caused by Covid-19," said Commander Graham Hockley, chairman of the MCG.
"We know from our trade union contacts that around 2,000 merchant seafarers are already facing redundancy and more are likely to follow. Jobs are in short supply but the market will pick up, so now’s the time to invest in training and skills development."
Seafarers could get help with CV writing, interview skills or new training certificates.
Courses can include International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers refresher qualifications or maritime-related professional diplomas.
Hockley said the cash is not meant to replace support from employers or to "let them off the hook" but will help plug the gap for those who aren’t getting that support.
The MNWB is bringing its welfare expertise, while Trinity House promotes maritime careers. The Marine Society has extensive experience of running similar funding schemes together with providing information, advice and guidance on maritime education and training.
MNWB chief executive Peter Tomlin said: "We know from our work with maritime welfare charities that redundancy is becoming an issue and we want to do what we can to help."
Cash contributions
The MNWB and Trinity House have both contributed £10,000.
The MCG is funding the administration of the scheme, which is being handled by the Marine Society, whose director of maritime training and development, Darrell Bate, said: "We want to make the process as simple as possible for anyone applying for this new funding.
"All they need to do is prove that their job is being made redundant, find a course that fills a gap in their training or skills, and apply online through a dedicated page on the Marine Society website."
Applications are already being received, the MCG said.
"Redundancies in the ferry sector have already hit the 1,000 mark, so anything the maritime charities can do to fund retraining for merchant seafarers is incredibly welcome," added Mark Carden, assistant national secretary at the RMT union.
