CHARITY COMPETITION ON LOOKOUT FOR BEST SEA PHOTOS

Charity competition on lookout for best sea photos. National maritime charity, the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society,  is once again on the lookout for photographers to submit their favourite images of the sea, for its annual competition honouring Britain’s proud maritime heritage.

Launched to coincide with the International Day of the Seafarer (25 June), the Society’s Maritime Photographic Competition, supported by headline sponsor Ensign and the Fishmongers’ Company, encourages photographers, both amateur and professional, to enter pictures that capture the essence of Britain’s enduring connection with the sea – including its merchant ships, fishermen, coast, harbours and ports.

Celebrating its 180th year, the Society is searching for standout images relating to all aspects of the UK’s historic relationship with the sea. Photographs should be submitted through the Society’s website https://www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk before the deadline on Monday 26 August. Photographers can also enter their pictures via email, post or the Society’s social media channels.

The competition will once again be judged by a prestigious panel of experts, including Sunday Times Picture Editor, Ray Wells, Picture Editor of the i, Sophie Batterbury and the Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Capt. Justin Osmond RN.

Discussing the competition, Captain Osmond said: “Britain’s strong maritime heritage can be traced back through generations and the history of our rich relationship with the sea is something we should be proud of.  We should not forget this, nor how heavily we rely on our maritime community today, given that 95% of our imports and exports by volume* are transported by sea.

“It is special to see all of the entries come in over the summer and for people to share their personal stories of the sea through photography that can be enjoyed by all.”

Ensign Marketing Director, Jemima FitzMorris added: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society as the headline sponsor of the annual Ultimate Sea View photography competition. The Society’s support for merchant seafarers, fishermen and their dependants can be life-changing for those in need and as the UK’s only specialist maritime pensions provider, ensuring that seafarers, mariners and all those working in the industry have a comfortable retirement is a key part of our vision at Ensign, and one we share with the charity.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society supports fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement after a life spent working at sea. A total of over £1.4 million was paid in grants over the last year in 2,000 cases of need.

To enter the competition and for the chance to win the prize of £500 of photographic equipment vouchers visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk or the Society’s Facebook or Twitter pages www.facebook.com/shipwreckedmariners and @ShipwreckedSoc.

Image: Last year’s Maritime Photographic Competition winner: ‘Fighting until the end’, by Chris Herring