The Seafarers’ Charity releases new abandonment films

As the maritime community prepares to mark World Maritime Day on the 24th of September, The Seafarers' Charity has released the final films in its “Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return” campaign on seafarer abandonment. 

The films have been developed to help seafarers and their families identify potential warning signs of abandonment, take practical steps to protect themselves, and know where to seek help if things go wrong. 

This year's World Maritime Day theme is “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence." The Seafarers’ Charity is highlighting the importance of practical, accessible support for those working at sea. All three animated films are now available alongside downloadable guidance in six languages common among seafarers.

Abandonment occurs when shipowners fail to pay wages for at least two months, cease providing food, fuel or essential supplies, or simply disappear, leaving crews stranded. According to the International Transport Workers’ Federation, 2025 was the worst year on record, with 410 vessels abandoned and 6,223 seafarers affected, an increase of more than 30% compared with 2024.

Deborah Layde, chief executive of The Seafarers' Charity, said: “Policy only makes a difference when it's put into practice. For seafarers, that means making sure 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.”

'Smart Seafaring. A Safe Return' was launched in June to coincide with 2026's 'Day of the Seafarer'. The campaign uses short animated films and practical guidance to make a complex and often difficult subject easier to understand.

The completed resources cover the key stages of a seafarer’s journey, from considering a new job and checking the legitimacy of an employer or vessel, through to understanding what to do if wages are not paid or a seafarer is left without the support they are entitled to.

Alongside the animations, downloadable guidance is now available in Arabic, Bahasa, Mandarin, Hindi, Russian and Tagalog, helping to remove language barriers and make the information more accessible to an international workforce.

The Seafarers' Charity is encouraging maritime employers, training providers, welfare organisations, unions, charities and other organisations working with seafarers to share the resources with those who could benefit from them.

The full series can be watched on the charity's YouTube channel.