Andrew Wright News

Maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers announced Dr. Peter Rouch has been named as its next secretary general, succeeding Revd. Canon Andrew Wright, who will retire from the role in September this year, after almost 12 years of leading the organization. Rouch has been appointed to the role by the board of The Mission to Seafarers. He will join the Mission on July 1, enabling a period of handover between himself and Wright.Tom Boardley, chairman of The Mission to Seafarers, said, "We are delighted that Peter is joining the Mission and look forward to welcoming him in July.

Seafarer happiness levels are trending upward after reaching a record low last quarter, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report published by The Mission to Seafarers.The survey, undertaken with the support of the Standard Club and Idwal, reports on Q2 2022 and shows that the influx of industry solutions to tackle seafarer wellbeing has finally begun to lift morale and the mindset onboard. With more vaccinations, more frequent crew changes, wage rises and new amendments to the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC), there has been a knock-on effect for seafarer optimism.

The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals the lowest levels of seafarer satisfaction for eight years, with the Index’s measure of overall happiness decreasing from 6.41 to 5.85 and levels dropping across all categories.The survey, undertaken with the support of the Standard Club and Idwal, reports on Q1 2022 and shows that a turbulent start to 2022 on many fronts has severely impacted seafarer happiness. From the COVID-19 Omicron variant to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and concerns over contractual issues…

Only three weeks after launching, a relief fund established to help seafarers and the families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic has collected $530,000 in pledges to date, nearly $400,000 of which has already been allocated to help those worst affected.The Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF), set up by seafarer welfare charities and the wider shipping industry, said the first three SIRF grants were enabled through The Seafarers’ Charity’s agile and established grant making processes and will provide funds to three seafarer charities…

Switzerland-headquartered  geotechnical engineering and offshore drilling company Geoquip Marine has announced the appointment of industry veteran Jean-Luc Laloe to its Board of Directors.Jean-Luc, who has almost 40 years of experience in the offshore oil and gas industry, has joined as an independent non-Executive Director.Jean-Luc originally entered the Offshore Engineering and Construction industry in 1980 and in the course of his career he has worked with Technip, Stolt Offshore, and Acergy /Subsea 7. He has held a wide variety of positions with a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including CFO and CEO.Jean-Luc becomes the second major board appointment to Geoquip in a matter of weeks and he will work with Arvid Trolle…

The Christian welfare charity serving merchant crews around the world 'The Mission to Seafarers' has signed an agreement with the Panama Maritime Authority for the provision of seafarer welfare services, making us the first seafarer charity to operate in Panama.A press release from the international seafarer welfare charity said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Mission and Panama was signed yesterday by the Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, and Jorge Barakat Pitty, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).The signing ceremony took…

Following last year’s successful Woolly Hat Day, The Campaign for Wool is once again urging those up and down the country to wear wool to raise money for The Mission to Seafarers on the 14th October as part of Wool Week 2016. With support from shops, schools and businesses this year’s Woolly Hat Day hopes to raise £15, 000 to support the Mission’s important work in assisting seafarers and their families across the world in times of great difficulty. Welcoming the renewed collaboration between the Mission and The Campaign for Wool, Jos Standerwick, Director of Development at the Mission, said: “Woolly hats have become synonymous with seafarers, with people knitting hats for our men and women of the sea for hundreds of years.

A Novec 1230 gas suppression system provides a unique, Class-compliant and effective margin of safety for an offshore dive support vessel. Despite the recent drop in oil prices, the marine sector remains extremely busy supporting the oil industry, and this will always remain the case. The squeeze on contractual pricing and labor is a recent issue caused by that drop in oil prices. Fortunately, the sector is led by legislation in the form of IMO/SOLAS regulations and respective Flag State requirements which are controlled by regulatory authorities such as DNV…

Charity endurance event ‘Row Around Singapore Island (RASI)’ beats electrical storm and finishes with time triumph, high emotion and VIP celebrations at the finish line. ‘Mission RASI’, took place last week as part of Singapore’s 50th Anniversary celebrations, was successfully completed in 23 hours and 15 minutes – within the tough target time of 24 hours. The rowers survived a violent storm at sea overnight, and half way through the daring challenge, which threatened to halt the race altogether. The tall ship Royal Albatross carried families of the rowers, supporters and the press and media. Starting and ending at Resorts World Sentosa they raised S$600…

The epic endurance challenge that will see 32 volunteers rowing 140km non-stop around Singapore is starting in less than 24 hours. The project has raised a staggering $450,000 with more donations flooding in daily for global maritime charity The Mission to Seafarers. In Singapore’s 50th Golden Anniversary year, the project proudly carries the SG50 logo of support along with official endorsement by President Tony Tan Keng Yam of the Republic of Singapore and Mission to Seafarers’ President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal of the United Kingdom. Secretary General of Mission to Seafarers, Andrew Wright is in Singapore for Mission RASI and to support the rowers.

With only 7 days to go to the big Singapore charity row, Row Around Singapore Island (RASI) the intrepid volunteer rowers from the maritime community of Singapore have been undertaking their final practice weekend at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. The original concept for this ground-breaking non-stop endurance challenge was conceived and organised by three friends Iain Anderson of RPC, Lewis Hart of Willis and Ian Teare of Norton Rose Fulbright. It will take around 24 hours and the rowing teams will face busy seaways, strong currents and choppy offshore waters as they tackle the 140 km distance around Singapore. They will be…

According to the the Mission to Seafarers, families of anti-piracy vessel 'MV Seaman Guard Ohio' personnel  being held in India have said that the British lawyers representing the men were dismissed ahead of the upcoming bail hearing. Family members have also launched an appeal for financial help. Global maritime charity organization the Mission to Seafarers is helping crew members and their families and informs it is now in touch with the Indian legal team in an attempt to get clarity around what this might mean for the men.

The Revd. Andrew Wright is appointed Secretary General at The Mission to Seafarers from February 2013. "Andrew has particularly impressed us with his great ability to speak with clarity, purpose and good humour. "He understands that at the heart of good leadership lie high levels of engagement, a clear vision and an ability to communicate that vision effectively. The Revd Andrew Wright said: "Seafaring remains a very dangerous and exposed occupation. It brings long, long periods of absence from family.