The Princess Royal unveils new residential facilities for former seafarers

The Trinity House hub, part of a programme of new developments at Nautilus International Mariners’ Park, has been formally opened by the HRH the Princess Royal.

The £4m project on the banks of the river Mersey includes a carehome and fully accessible apartments for older seafarers and their dependants, along with community facilities such as a café, a spa, a gym and rooms for meetings and hobbies.

The deputy master of Trinity House, Captain Ian McNaught, said: “Throughout our 500 years we have had at the core of our organisation the principal of serving the mariner, past present and future.

“These new facilities are excellent and I am extremely pleased we have been able to contribute over £2m to provide them. They are a great legacy and will provide former mariners and their dependants with comfortable communal spaces that contribute to the feeling of community here for many years to come.”

Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson told guests at the opening event: “I believe that this building will provide a suitable commemoration for this anniversary for many decades to come.” He said the new facilities would provide high quality accommodation and care services to many residents, as well as communal facilities available to them and everyone else in Mariners’ Park and the local maritime community.

Trinity House is an independent corporation with nearly 500 years of expertise in maritime safety. It was first granted a royal charter in 1514 and has been has been providing support and services to seafarers in need since 1857. At present, it provides accommodation for 160 retired seafarers and their dependants.