Liverpool Seafarers Centre Signs the MNWB Seafarer Pledge to help champion crew welfare.
At Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC), our daily mission centres on crew welfare: behind every container vessel, tanker, and cargo ship docking along Merseyside is a human workforce deserving of dignity, care, and respect.
To reinforce this commitment, LSC is proud to announce that we have officially signed the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) Seafarer Pledge.
What is the Seafarer Pledge?
The MNWB Seafarer Pledge is a national commitment to recognise, respect, and support the key workers who keep global trade moving day and night, yet so often remain invisible to the wider public.
While existing maritime legislation and regulatory frameworks focus primarily on legal protections, safety standards, and working conditions, the Pledge fills a different gap. It ensures seafarers are properly valued and supported as human beings, protecting their mental health, well-being, and social connection throughout their seafaring careers and long after they step off their vessel.
The Pledge unites charities, port authorities, vessel operators, logistics companies, and broader societal organisations around a shared goal: acknowledging the skill and sacrifice of those at sea while taking tangible, practical actions that make a measurable difference in their lives.
Learn about the Pledge:
Why LSC Signed
From our central facilities at Crosby Road South to our outreach across the Port of Liverpool, Garston Docks, Birkenhead Docks, and the Manchester Ship Canal, LSC interacts with over 21,500 seafarers annually.
Every day, our team witnesses the realities of maritime life, including extended isolation, months away from family, language barriers, and fatigue. By signing the Seafarer Pledge, LSC reaffirms its promise to:
Provide zero-barrier support: Delivering free port-side transport, digital connectivity, ship visits, and emergency medical escorts.
Promote mental and spiritual well-being: Offering trauma-informed chaplaincy, quiet sanctuary, and pastoral care.
Elevate the human voice: Advocating for seafarers at regional and national levels to ensure their sacrifices are recognised across UK society.
"Seafarers are the unsung heroes of our everyday lives, delivering over 90% of everything we consume," says John Wilson, Chief Executive of Liverpool Seafarers Centre. "While commercial logistics often focus on tonnage and turnaround times, the MNWB Seafarer Pledge places the human being back at the center of maritime policy. Signing this pledge was a natural step for us, and we are proud to stand alongside the MNWB in championing our seafaring community."
A Call to Action: Join Us in Supporting Our Seafarers
Real, lasting change happens when an entire sector stands together. Liverpool Seafarers Centre is calling on all maritime stakeholders, port operators, shipping lines, local supply chain businesses, and community organisations across Merseyside and the North West to take the pledge.
Signing the pledge signals to your team, your clients, and the global maritime workforce that your organisation values human life above bottom-line metrics.
How your organisation can get involved:
Learn about the Pledge: www.mnwb.org/sign-up-to-the-seafarer-pledge/
Make the Commitment: Sign the pledge on behalf of your organisation
Spread the Word: Share your commitment across your professional networks to encourage wider industry adoption.
Together, we can ensure that no seafarer calling into UK waters ever feels forgotten.
To learn more about Liverpool Seafarers Centre's frontline work or to discover ways to support our charity, visit our About Us page or contact our team directly.
