Still time to enter competition for best sea photo

The competition, which is in its eighth year, encourages both amateur and professional photographers to submit pictures that best encapsulate Britain’s enduring connection with the sea, to celebrate the nation’s proud maritime heritage and its reliance on seafarers.

Given the impact of coronavirus on the nation’s travel plans, the charity is encouraging people to look back through their photo albums, as well as those taken more recently, as all will be accepted as valid entries and could land the prize of £500 worth of photographic equipment vouchers.

The charity encourages keen photographers to submit images from their archives featuring ships and wrecks, seascapes, industry and leisure.

In addition to beautiful seascapes and coastal images, the charity is particularly interested in receiving pictures of people enjoying leisure activities at the beach over the years and those that represent the ‘new normal’.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has been in operation since 1839 and supports fishermen, merchant mariners and their dependants who are suffering financial hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement after a life spent working at sea.

The competition’s prestigious judging panel includes Sunday Times Picture Editor, Ray Wells, Picture Editor of the i, Sophie Batterbury and the Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Capt. Justin Osmond RN.

Captain Osmond said: “Our annual photography competition is always popular with our supporters and we have already seen an outstanding quality of entries so far, including from the South East. However, there is still time to get your winning images in before the closing date on the 31 August.

“We are extremely proud of the UK’s rich maritime history and whether old, young, professional or amateur, we want to see your photos and understand what the sea means to you.”

To enter the competition, individuals can submit their photographs through the dedicated form at https://shipwreckedmariners.org.uk/photography-competition-2020/ before the deadline on Monday 31 August. Photographers can also enter their pictures via email, post or the Society’s Facebook or Twitter channels using the hashtag #UltimateSeaView.

All images captured this year should be done so in line with government guidance.

Entrants must state whether they are a professional or amateur photographer upon entry. All images submitted must be taken within current UK COVID-19 government guidelines. By entering the competition, you give permission for your images to be recreated by the Charity, competition sponsors and any media partner free of charge. It is open to everyone aged 16 years and above.

Entries should be submitted through the entry form on the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society website www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk, via email [email protected] or through the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society Facebook and Twitter pages. Entrants should include their own name, address and telephone number. Postal entries may be sent to Definition Agency, 1 Park Row, LS1 5HN.

Pictured is the Eastbourne lifeboat during Storm Ciara by Ralph Davies.

See also: Call for action over baby seagulls drowning in seafront boating lake