The Shipwrecked Mariners' Society has announced an exhibition of unique maritime photographs and the launch of its third annual maritime photography competition. The exhibition, which brings a sea view to the landlocked Royal Alfred Seafarers Society care home in Surrey, features images of seven of last year’s competition entries, ranging from trawler races in Brixham to lighthouses in Porthcawl, displayed around the grounds of the home. The Society is encouraging budding photographers to get involved in this year’s competition, open to professional and amateur photographers across the UK, and to send in their pictures of the coast, seafarers and the sea. The deadline for entries to the competition is the 7 August 2015. As always, we suggest that you read the terms and conditions before entering your work.

Shipwrecked Mariners' Society Press Release

CHARITY BRINGS SEA VIEW TO SURREY

National Photography Competition Launched With Maritime Exhibition To Mark Seafarers Awareness Week

A unique exhibition, which has brought a sense of the sea back to some of our Country’s veteran mariners, has been organised by national maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society. The exhibition, taking place during Seafarers Awareness Week (20-28 June), marks the launch of its third annual maritime photography competition.

The photographs are being displayed during the annual Seafarers Awareness Week celebrations at the Royal Alfred Seafarers Society care home and sheltered housing site - Weston Acres - which has provided nursing care and accommodation to elderly, sick or disabled seafarers, their widows and dependants for 150 years.

The exhibition, which brings a sea view to the land locked Surrey care home, features images of seven of last year’s competition entries, ranging from trawler races in Brixham to lighthouses in Porthcawl, displayed around the grounds of the home, and was viewed by prestigious guests, including comedian Tim Vine today (Thursday 25 June).

The Society is encouraging budding photographers to get involved in this year’s competition, open to professional and amateur photographers across the Country, and to send in their pictures of the coast, seafarers and the sea, whether in relation to work, wildlife, seascapes or fun, to celebrate our intimate connection and reliance on the sea, seafarers and the maritime industry.  The competition is being run from the Society’s website www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk, and across social media.

The competition will be judged by a prestigious panel of media and maritime experts including the chief executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Commodore Malcolm Williams.

Commodore Williams said: “As an island nation, Britain is still heavily reliant on the sea for work, food and fun.  This competition has seen two very successful years so far, with more than 400 entries last year.  It gives us a unique opportunity to raise awareness of all those who dedicate their lives to the seafaring professions and to encourage those fishermen and mariners who may need the Society’s help and support to come forward.”

Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Chief Executive, Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, said: “It is a pleasure to be able to host this exhibition at Royal Alfred, during the Seafarers Awareness Week celebrations in our 150th anniversary year. The exhibition is a great way to bring the sea back to our former mariners and create a room with a view in our gardens.  Memory therapies are very important for the care of a lot of our residents, especially those in our specialist dementia annex, so the exhibition should prove a great way of reminding them of their time at sea. It is always good to support the Shipwrecked mariners Society, as some form of “payback” as they helped to establish our Society in 1865.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, which celebrated its 175th anniversary last year, gives financial support to fishermen, mariners and their dependants who are suffering hardship.  In the last year the organisation handled 650 new applications for assistance and distributed £1.4million across 2,200 cases of need.

The deadline for entries to the competition is the 7 August 2015.

To enter the competition, full terms and conditions and for more information about the work of the Society visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk or the society’s Facebook or twitter pages at www.facebook.com/shipwreckedmariners and @ShipwreckedSoc.

Photo © Justin Minns

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