Each year The Seafarers' Charity campaigns on behalf of seafarers across the
Merchant Navy,
Royal Navy and
Fishing Fleets, as well as in other maritime sectors, (e.g. professional yacht crew), to raise awareness of the important role seafarers play in society. The charity helps to deal with challenges including harassment and sexual violence at sea, psychological safety, financial insecurity, the strain on separated families, and the poverty and hardship that too often afflict shoreline communities. During the Covid-19 pandemic, along with organisations including the
International Chamber of Shipping, the charity was a founding member of the Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) which supported seafarers unable to leave or join ships due to travel restrictions. The charity is a co-organiser of the Annual National Service for Seafarers at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, which brings together the global maritime community to celebrate the services that seafarers provide and the sacrifices they make. It also set up the UK's National Fishing Remembrance Day following a request from the
UK government.
Fly the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day In 2015 the charity launched its 'Fly the Red Ensign’ campaign to coincide with Merchant Navy Day on 3 September. The campaign encourages communities and public bodies to fly the Red Ensign, the official flag of the UK Merchant Navy, to raise public awareness of the UK's dependence on seafarers. In 2025 and previous years, the Red Ensign was flown above
10 Downing Street and on other public buildings throughout the UK. == Fundraising ==