UK’s Annual National Service for Seafarers Celebrates Maritime Contributions

A group of Nautilus members, officials, and a Bevis Minter Award recipient attended the 2024 Annual National Service for Seafarers (ANSS) at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on October 9. Organized by The Seafarers’ Charity and Trinity House, the ANSS is an annual event that honors and celebrates seafarers. This year’s Bevis Minter Award recipient, Scarlett Barnett-Smith, was joined by Nautilus officials including Olu Tunde, Micky Smyth, Andrew Jones, and Martyn Gray. Nautilus Council member Captain Stephen Gudgeon also represented the union at the service.

HRH The Princess Royal was in attendance at the service, which was followed by a reception where maritime minister Mike Kane pledged to advocate for better working conditions in the industry. The ANSS, first held in 1905, continues to recognize and appreciate the contributions of seafarers from various maritime professions. Representatives from the Royal and Merchant Navies, shipping companies, nautical colleges, maritime youth groups, veterans’ associations, and supporters of seafarers ashore also attend the service, which is open to the public.

This year’s ANSS also marked the 200th Anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute and the 50th Anniversary of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association. The event serves as a platform to reflect on the achievements and challenges faced by seafarers, while also celebrating milestones in the maritime industry. The presence of dignitaries, industry leaders, and supporters underscores the importance of recognizing and supporting those who work at sea.

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