Sir Mohamed Yusuf Seamen Welfare Foundation

This Maritime Training facility had its beginnings in the year 1910. It was also the time when the indigenous and fledgling mercantile marine of the country was experiencing a shortage of trained Deck hands and officers. This inspired Late Haji Ismail Yusuf, Proprietor of Bombay Steam Navigation Company to establish a Marine School as a charitable institution at Rashid Mansion, Worli Point, Bombay as a debt of gratitude to the seafaring community who had served bravely and loyally on the Company's ships. The purpose was also to encourage the orphans and sons of the seafaring community, irrespective of cast, creed or religion to follow in the footsteps of their forefathers. With the demise of Haji Ismail in 1912 it fell upon his son Sir Mohamed Yusuf to pursue the dreams of his father. He shifted the School to Nhava . _ the Island off the Bombay Harbour purchased by the Family in 1883. In 1914, the then Government of Bombay permitted Sir Mohamed Yusuf to establish a Marine School in Nhava. Subsequently a number of Institutions were added for the benefit of the local residents.Training Ship Rahaman, the Marine Museum, Lady Khatun Marium School and Fatma Banu Hospital and Dispensary were established at Nhava Island. Sir Yusuf also handed over the large house of Haji Ismail now the Marine Museum with its ornate gardens and spacious rooms to the School. Subsequently, these Institutions including the Marine School were managed by a Managing Board of Sir Mohamed Yusuf Trust under its first President, Mr Abdul Rahaman, grandson of the Founder.