A NATIONAL maritime charity is on the hunt for the UK’s ultimate sea view.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society is calling on photographers to enter pictures celebrating Britain’s proud maritime heritage for its annual competition.

Launched to mark Seafarers Awareness Week, this week from June 24 to June 30, the Maritime Photography Competition encourages amateur and professional photographers to enter snaps which best capture Britain’s enduring connection to the sea.

The 178-year-old society is looking out for photos covering all aspects of this connection, including those of ships, wrecks, seascapes, industry and leisure.

Submissions will close on Friday, August 4.

The photos will be judged by a panel of experts, including Sunday Times picture editor, Ray Wells, Amateur Photographer Magazine features writer, Oliver Atwell, Picture Editor of the i, Sophie Batterbury and the chief executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, Commodore Malcolm Williams.

Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society chief executive, Commodore Malcolm Williams, said: “Our strong maritime industry continues to make a huge contribution to communities up and down the country and this competition allows us to recognise this enduring element of British life.

“The competition has gone from strength to strength over the last four years, seeing a record number of entries in 2016, and we are excited to see that trend continue. Our competition allows us to showcase the very best of the sea and celebrate the wealth of talented photographers across the UK.”

The maritime charity works to provide financial assistance to fishermen, mariners and their dependents suffering hardship, whether due to accident, ill health, unemployment or in retirement.

Over the last year, it received 560 new applications for assistance and distributed £1.4 million in more than 2,000 cases of need.

Commodore Williams said that too often Britain’s maritime industry is taken for granted for the hard work it does to provide for the country.

He added: “The UK relies on merchant shipping for around 95 per cent of its imports and 75 per cent of exports, and the maritime sector is a major employer in our country.

“With an estimated 80 per cent of UK households consuming seafood each month, seafarers also play a crucial role in putting food on our tables, facing tough and sometimes hazardous conditions in doing so.”

Photographs for the competition can be submitted through the society’s website at shipwreckedmariners.org.uk or through the society’s Facebook or Twitter pages at facebook.com/shipwreckedmariners and @ShipwreckedSoc