The Needs and Aspirations of the Dependants and Families of Seafarers under Retirement Age (amended July 2017)

Summary: Following an earlier study in 2006 into the needs and aspirations of dependants of seafarers and their families, and a recent demographic analysis of current and future numbers, the Maritime Charities Group (MCG) wishes to gain an up-to-date
understanding of current needs and aspirations, using some of the methodological elements of the previous study, while widening the coverage in terms of numbers and content. The demographic study indicated that the largest group of dependants and children are
those of Royal Navy seafarers, followed by the Merchant Navy, and lastly the fishing fleet. The numbers of dependants across all seafaring groups are expected to continue to decline from the present to 2050 (although numbers of dependent children are
projected to increase in the late 2040s). Recent work by the Royal British Legion has provided a body of data on the needs of the ex-service community and their families, including ex-Royal Navy seafarers, which is relevant to the proposed study; less is
known about the families and dependants of Merchant Navy and fishing fleet seafarers. Since 2006, it is likely that the needs of dependants and families of seafarers will have been affected by the economic downturn, public sector austerity measures, welfare
reform, and other policy changes in the health, housing, special education and social care sectors. The study provided a useful opportunity to investigate how needs have changed over the last ten years, and how they are expected to change in the future. The MCG wished to update a number of aspects of the 2006 research to provide apicture of how needs have changed over time. Specifically, the research aimed to: build on the current and future demographic profiles of the dependants and families of seafarers under retirement age as developed in the Demographic Profile carried out by the Institute of Public Care in 2015; identify and present patterns of needs and aspirations of dependants and families of seafarers under retirement age across the three seafaring groups; compare and contrast the profile and patterns with those of the wider population in
the UK; Identify any patterns or dimensions specific to the lives of the dependants and families of seafarers under retirement age, compared to their peers in the general population; consider the implications of these findings for current and future provision of
services to the dependants and families of seafarers under retirement age. The methods adopted in the study were a brief review of relevant public policy context; face to-face and telephone interviews with key stakeholders; an electronic survey of  ependants of seafarers under retirement age; data collection and analysis and preparation of the data set and final report to MCG.