A NEW service has been set up to help ex-seafarers and their families in East Yorkshire.
Nautilus International is a trade union representing the maritime industry worldwide.
The organisation has set up the Nautilus Welfare Fund, which is a new project in the Hull and Bridlington areas aimed at helping ex-seafarers and their families tackle financial and emotional problems.
The regional case worker for Nautilus is John Norris, who is co-ordinating the new project from Beverley Road in Hull.
He said: "Nautilus Welfare Fund is a charity and the service is free and confidential.
"I can help seafarers and their dependants by providing independent and impartial advice and information on welfare benefits, debt and housing problems, as well as health and wellbeing issues."
The project also provides access to grants from the Nautilus Welfare Fund and various seafarer charities.
Mr Morris said: "Grants can be used to buy white goods or furniture, cloths, clear small priority debts, help with the costs of moving or for medical costs."
Mr Norris has sent out letters to businesses and other groups with employers or clients who could benefit from the fund.
He said: "I am urging businesses and groups to contact me if they have any clients who have a seafaring background, including the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy and the fishing fleet who they feel our new project can assist.
"This also includes people who have worked onshore for the likes of shipping companies.
"I am keen to develop good working relations with other organisations that have contact with ex-seafarers and their dependants that may benefit from this service."
Mr Norris has also distributed flyers to promote the new project and ensure as many people can take advantage as possible.
The Fishermen's Mission already carries out similar work in East Yorkshire but is mainly for those in the fishing industry.
The Christian charity provides the fishing community with welfare and financial support to fishermen and their families.
More than 13,000 men and women work in the UK's deep sea fishing industry, facing death and injury on a daily basis.
There are also a further 50,000 retired fishermen which the Mission supports.
As well as providing financial, emotional and pastoral support, the Mission also campaigns to improve safety in the fishing industry.
To find out more about the new project, email Mr Norris at JNorris@Nautilusint.org or call him on 01482 324474.