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RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2021 :: RMTnews
10
The charity Seafarers UK has
created the UK Maritime
Anchor Fund with key delivery
partner charities to provide an
end-to-end package of
support for seafarers
experiencing financial hardship
due to COVID-19 related loss
of work or disruption of
employment opportunities. Up
to £200K has been allocated
from Seafarers UK’s COVID-19
Emergency Fund, to support
UK merchant seafarers, of
working age, through the new
UK focused fund, which can be
accessed via Seafarers’ Advice
and Information Line (SAIL).
The UK Maritime Anchor
Fund addresses financial
difficulties and their impact
which can include strained
personal relationships and
impact mental health.
Merchant seafarers can apply
to the Fund if experiencing
hardship caused by COVID-19.
This may arise from
redundancy, difficulties
renewing contracts, problems
joining a ship due to travel
restrictions, reduced earnings
or COVID-19 related illness.
Grants are available to cover a
significant reduction in
income, top-up of Universal
Credit and payment of priority
debts relating to mortgage or
rent, council tax and arrears,
etc. The grant is just one part
of a wide range of support
which will enable a return to
stability and financial
resilience. It includes:
• Confidential personal
advice on financial matters
such as budgeting, income
maximisation and access to
eligible welfare benefits –
provided by SAIL
• Advice and help to tackle
other related problems
such as debt, tax and
housing issues – provided
by SAIL
• Up to six sessions of free
relationship counselling
(referrals will be made by
SAIL to Relate)
• Mental health and
wellbeing support and
counselling – provided by
TogetherAll and funded by
Seafarers’ Hospital Society
UK merchant seafarers
needing help should contact
SAIL. SAIL is a Citizens Advice
service for seafarers and their
families. SAIL supports
seafarers by phone, email and
face-to-face appointments via
Skype and Zoom. SAIL can be
contacted by phone on 0800
160 1842 or email
SEAFARERS UK LAUNCH
THE UK MARITIME
ANCHOR FUND
Fund launched to support working age UK national
merchant seafarers impacted by COVID-19
TRAVEL BAN: MS Norbay and MV Delphine vessels seen docked at Dublin
Port. With the growing number of COVID cases and a dangerously
contagious new COVID variant raging in the UK, ferries crossing the Irish Sea
will be limited to freight travel under the temporary travel ban.