Australian Mariners Welfare Society

02/06/2026

This years Memorial Service being held 11am Saturday 6th June will recognise the contribution of the Newcastle and Hunter River Steam Ship Company where we will hear more about the work of the fine vessel Karuah as kindly told by our incredible local maritime historian Iain Steverson.

☕️The service will be followed by a morning tea.

🚎 Misson to Seafarers bus transport will be operating between Carrington car park near Water Police base and the Mission before and after service.

🚕 Drop off zone will also be available prior to service on Hannell Street.

Please share service details with your community!

Sharon Claydon MP Nautical Institute South East Australia Branch Svitzer Australia Maritime Union of Australia - MUA NSW Maritime Mission to Seafarers Newcastle 1st Belmont North Sea Scouts Merewether Hamilton Adamstown RSL Sub Branch Tim Crakanthorp MP City of Newcastle Yasmin Catley MP

19/05/2026

Vale Captain Alan Tait. 1940- 2026
The long serving Chair of AMWS Captain Alan Tait passed away peacefully on 9th May. Alan made an enormous contribution to AMWS. He joined as a member in 1984 and was elected to Council on 17 November 1992. Alan became Chairman on 31 May 2005 and remained in that role until stepping down at the May 2020 meeting. He continued serving on Council until retiring at the May 2025 meeting.
Alan was a tireless worker in the cause of seafarer welfare. His impact on the industry and the welfare community can be measured by the tributes to his memory from his many friends and colleagues.

18/05/2026

Today marks IMO's International Day for Women in Maritime

This year the day is themed around from policy to practice and aimed at embedding gender equality throughout the industry

27/04/2026

A sad day for many Australian shipping participants.

26/04/2026

AMWS E-News April 2026 -

Seafarers Caught in Escalating Strait of Hormuz Crisis. ITF Press Release, 22nd April 2026 The International Transport Workers' Federation has strongly condemned a recent surge in attacks and seizures involving civilian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that commercial shipping is increasi...

14/04/2026

61st Annual Commemoration. Merchant navy War Memorial. Sunday, 19th April 2026
Please see details below

03/04/2026

Over 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Persian Gulf.

“Fragmented responses are no longer sufficient”: IMO Secretary-General

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has urged States to support diplomatic efforts to secure the evacuation of around 20,000 seafarers still stranded in the Persian Gulf, and enable humanitarian corridors for urgent assistance.

During a virtual meeting for Foreign Ministers from more than 40 countries hosted by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Secretary-General Dominguez called on all Parties to respect for the rights and freedoms of navigation and stressed the paramount importance of the safety and wellbeing of seafarers.

He emphasized the need for de-escalation and operational maritime solutions rather than purely military approaches.

“Fragmented responses are no longer sufficient to resolve this crisis. What is urgently required is diplomatic engagement, practical and neutral solutions, and coordinated international action,” he said following the meeting.

“IMO is advancing a maritime evacuation framework built on coastal State cooperation, security guarantees and operational coordination, with the clear objective of releasing stranded vessels, enabling safe crew rotations and preventing an environmental disaster.”

Full story: https://tinyurl.com/2p9w6w6n

25/03/2026

View below the AMWS Chairman Mr David Parmeter's Recent Address to the Mission to Seafarers Conference in Adelaide. March 2026.

23/03/2026

AMWS E-News March 2026 -

Civilian Seafarers Caught in the Crossfire of Gulf Conflict. March 2026 Attacks on merchant ships in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman have intensified, placing thousands of civilian seafarers directly in harm’s way. In recent days, several cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and nea...

06/03/2026

AMWS: MLC Code 20 Year Anniversary - Good start, more to achieve