In general terms SSAFA continues to support the seafaring charities and organisations with casework support, in most cases the charity or organisation will ask for this support, however, a MN beneficiary may come directly to SSAFA.

Others will have served under the “Admiralty Charter” which would entitle them to wider support, below is the breakdown on when members of the Merchant Navy will have served under this charter

All merchant seafarers and fishermen serving aboard any UK vessel between the first and last day of World War II were deemed to be serving “Under Admiralty Charter” throughout the conflict. While their actual conditions of service differed, these personnel faced the same dangers and should, in terms of recognition, be treated as if they were Royal Navy personnel during the period of this service. WWII began on 3 September 1939 (when the first vessel SS “Athena” was sunk) and ended on VJ Day on 15 August 1945. During the conflict a large number of merchant seafarers and fishermen found themselves onboard ships that were requisitioned by the Royal Navy. Many of these men volunteered to remain onboard as crew, working alongside Royal Navy personnel.

Those legally defined military operations recognised by the UK Government as those in which the Merchant fleet supported the military included, but are not limited to, Korea (1950-53), Suez (1956), South Atlantic (1982), Gulf (Kuwait Crisis) (1990-91) and Gulf (Iraq Invasion) (2003). Significantly all Merchant Navy seafarers who served in these zones are entitled to receive campaign medals following certain periods in theatre: for example, over 5000 such medals were awarded for the Falklands campaign alone. 

SSAFA provide the same level of support to all those members of the Merchant Navy as they would any other member of the armed forces.

For members of the Merchant Navy who no longer possess their logbook, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) can provide VoS from the National Archives for records held pre 1972 only. To use this service please provide the following information in an email request to contact the MNWB Grants Manager Helen van Gass

• Full name of MN client

• Date of birth

• Place of birth (if available)

• National Insurance number (If available)

Alternatively, the client should be asked to contact the pension fund directly and ask them to verify how long they were making contributions – please be aware that this route is not a fast process

Ratings should contact MNRPF https://www.mnrpf.co.uk/ 

Officers should contact Merchant Navy Officers Pension Fund https://www.mnopf.co.uk/contact_us.html