NATIONAL CHARITY COMPETITION SEEKS BEST SEA VIEW

National charity competition seeks best sea view. 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 thirteenth annual competition honouring the UK and Ireland’s proud maritime heritage.

The competition encourages photographers of all abilities to submit images that capture the British Isles’ lasting relationship with the sea – including its merchant ships, fishermen, coasts, harbours and ports.

In the competition’s thirteenth year, the Society is encouraging individuals to go out and capture new stunning sea views for their photo albums, with the overall competition winner receiving a £1,000 photographic equipment voucher.

In addition to the dedicated entry submission form on the Society’s website, entrants can also submit photos through its Instagram channel (@ShipwreckedMariners) by using the hashtag #SMSPhotoComp2025.

The competition will once again be judged by a prestigious panel of experts, including former 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 launch of the competition, Captain Justin Osmond RN, said:

“As we launch this year’s competition, I continue to be inspired by the creativity and passion shown by entrants from across the nation. Year after year the entries reflect not only exceptional talent, but a deep respect for the UK and Ireland’s coastlines and maritime heritage. I am confident this upcoming competition will be yet another fantastic showcase!

“While our maritime industry can often go unnoticed and unappreciated, its role in shaping our past, supporting our present, and securing our future cannot be overstated. The competition serves as a great platform for us to proudly exhibit and commemorate our enduring connection to the sea.”

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society supports fishers, 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.

To enter the competition, individuals can submit their photographs through the dedicated form before the deadline on 18 August 2025. Photographers can also enter their pictures via email, post or on the Society’s Instagram channel (@ShipwreckedMariners) using the hashtag #SMSPhotoComp2025.

Competition T&Cs:

• The closing date for entries is 23:59 on Friday 18 August 2025
• Entrants must state whether they are a professional or amateur photographer, or a student of photography, upon entry
• By entering the competition, you give permission for your images to be recreated by the Charity, competition sponsors and any media partner free of charge
• This competition is open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland aged 16 years or over
• It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the competitor agrees to abide by these rules. The decision of the judges is final. Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions
• All entries must be received by the advertised closing time and date
• Entries should be submitted through the entry form on the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society website www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk, via email ShipwreckedFishermen@definitionagency.com or through the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Instagram page. Entrants should include their own name, address and telephone number. Postal entries may be sent to Definition Agency, 1 Park Row, LS1 5HN.
• All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the permission of the subject and do not infringe the copyright of any third party or any laws. By submitting images, entrants confirm that the photograph they are submitting is their own work and that they own the copyright to it
• Copyright in all images submitted for this competition remains with the respective entrants. However, in consideration of their providing them for the Competition, each entrant grants a worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual licence to the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society and sponsors of the competition to feature any or all of the submitted images in any of their publications, their websites and/or in any promotional material
• Late entries will not be accepted. No responsibility can be accepted for lost entries and proof of transmission will not be accepted as proof of receipt
• The winning entry will be that which is judged to be the most visually appealing, original and self-explanatory. The winner will be notified within three weeks of the closing date of the competition
• The winners will be asked to take part in publicity
• The winners’ name and hometown may be used for the Charity’s publicity purposes
• All prizes are non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives