We marked National Fishing Remembrance Day on 11 May 2025 with the laying of a wreath at the service of remembrance held at Grimsby Minster.
The annual commemoration honours members of the fishing community who have lost their lives at sea and is an opportunity for families, community leaders, charities, and maritime organisations to reflect, remember, and give thanks to those who have died.
Laying the wreath on behalf of Commsave was Alexandra Vilbergsdottir from legal firm Wilkin Chapman Rollits. She was joined by her colleague Jonathan Goolden who laid a wreath on behalf of the Embassy of Iceland.
Jonathan reflected: “As lawyers for Commsave and with our own personal and business links to the seafood sector and seafarers, we were honoured to be asked to lay a wreath on behalf of Commsave and look forward to working further with Commsave to assist in the provision of services to the seafood and seafaring community.”
The service was organised in partnership with the Fishermen’s Mission, The Seafarers’ Charity, Stella Maris, Seafish and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Richard Munro, our Interim CEO, said: “We were honoured to pay tribute to all the brave individuals who have lost their lives at sea. At Commsave, we are deeply committed to supporting the wellbeing of the fishing community and ensuring they have access to financial services that are ethical, flexible and designed to meet the unique needs of their profession.
“Everyone remembered on this important day is someone’s beloved family member, partner or friend. Financial security doesn’t replace that loss, but it can bring peace of mind in difficult times.”
In 2021, we joined forces with The Seafarers’ Charity following its Fishing Without a Safety Net research, which highlighted the urgent need for more appropriate financial support for fishing families.
Since then, we have developed a suite of financial products tailored to the unique needs of fishers, fish processors and fishmongers, recognising the financial instability and risks many face due to weather, seasonality, and policy changes:
• Stormy Reserve Fund - a savings account enabling members to set aside money and access it immediately when fishing is not possible due to poor weather or vessel downtime.
• HMRC Budget & Bill Payment Account - a dedicated savings account for annual tax and National Insurance liabilities, with an option to transfer the balance directly to HMRC at year-end.
• Special Loan Scheme - designed to cover the up-front capital contributions often required for UK Government grant applications, including those from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).
To date, we have provided over £1.2 million in loans, helping more than 65 individuals access vital grant funding to improve safety, modernise equipment and maintain financial stability during periods of low income.
In addition, our free Bereavement Fund offers swift support to families by writing off members outstanding loans and making a lump-sum payment of between £500 and £5,000 (depending on savings history), independent of probate. This fund is designed to ease the burden during times of tragedy and loss, reflecting the union’s cooperative values and compassion-led approach.
