The Seafarers’ Charity Releases New Abandonment Films

The maritime community is set to observe World Maritime Day on September 24th. To mark this occasion, The Seafarers’ Charity has unveiled the concluding films of its "Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return" initiative, which focuses on the issue of seafarer abandonment. These films aim to educate both seafarers and their families on recognizing potential warning signs of abandonment, taking preventive measures to safeguard themselves, and knowing where to seek assistance if the situation deteriorates.

This year's World Maritime Day theme is "From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence," and The Seafarers’ Charity is emphasizing the significance of practical, accessible support for individuals working at sea. The charity has made available three animated films, along with downloadable guidance in six widely-used languages among seafarers.

Abandonment refers to a situation where shipowners fail to pay wages for at least two months, cease providing food, fuel, or necessary supplies, or simply vanish, leaving crew members stranded. The International Transport Workers’ Federation reports that 2025 marked the worst year on record, with 410 vessels abandoned and 6,223 seafarers affected, representing a more than 30% increase compared to 2024.

Deborah Layde, the chief executive of The Seafarers’ Charity, stated, "Policy only makes a difference when it’s put into practice. For seafarers, that means ensuring they have access to clear information that can help them make informed decisions and know where to turn." "By making guidance available in common seafaring languages, we can reach more seafarers and their families with information that could help them avoid the devastating consequences of abandonment."

The "Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return" campaign was initiated in June, coinciding with the Day of the Seafarer in 2026. This campaign employs concise animated films and practical guidance to simplify a complex and often challenging topic. The complete resources cover crucial stages of a seafarer's journey, from evaluating a new job and verifying the credibility of an employer or vessel, to understanding the appropriate actions to take if wages are not paid or a seafarer is left without the necessary support.

Alongside the animations, downloadable guidance is also available in Arabic, Bahasa, Mandarin, Hindi, Russian, and Tagalog. This initiative aims to eliminate language barriers and render the information more accessible to a global workforce. The Seafarers’ Charity is urging maritime employers, training providers, welfare organizations, unions, charities, and other entities working with seafarers to disseminate these resources to those who could benefit from them.