On 19th June 2026 invited guests braved London’s sultry weather to attend a special celebration to mark the 180th anniversary of SCFS. The venue was the historic Trinity House, situated by the Tower of London and steeped in maritime history and artifacts. Our guests included friends and representatives from other UK based seafarer missions and maritime related organisations.
Thankfully the Library function room was air conditioned and everyone settled to listen to Andrew Browne (former SCFS trustee and archivist) firstly convey the backdrop of events and conversion of Bosun Smith which ultimately led to the foundation of SCFS in 1846 and then a potted history through to 2016. Our current Chairman, Steven Thompson, took the audience through the past 10 years and the ensuing resurgence of SCFS as an important global mission and welfare provider to seafarers. Our Honorary Secretary Danny Yarker then provided the audience with an insight to our proposed plans for the next three years including the consolidation of existing port welfare and anticipated expansion as God faithfully provides wisdom and guidance.
Proceedings concluded with a thought provoking insight into current challenging maritime welfare issues by John Cousley, Head of Seafarers at the Department for Transport, and the Government’s ongoing commitment to gradually improve conditions for UK seafarers and the many others who daily sail into and dock in UK.
Colin Dickinson
Executive Director
