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Port Chaplains News

19 May 2021

Sailors’ Society Expands Seafarer Wellness Campaign

Š Igor Kardasov / Adobe Stock

Shipping companies are being invited to sign up to a free mental health and wellbeing campaign offering support not just to crews, but also their families and shore staff.International maritime charity Sailors’ Society said it has expanded its Wellness at Sea Awareness Campaign to include families and shore staff. The 27-week campaign, which starts in June, will help seafarers, their families and shore staff understand how they can manage their own wellbeing and navigate common challenges that people connected to the maritime industry can face.

04 Jun 2020

Inmarsat Extends Seafarer Support

Š Alex Stemmer / Adobe Stock

Satellite communications provider Inmarsat says it continues to ramp up its response to COVID-19, with additional initiatives to improve seafarer wellbeing. These initiatives include further collaboration with ISWAN (International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network) and maritime charities, the launch of a new chatcard and the wider roll-out of a COVID-19 video telemedicine call service.As the pandemic has unfolded, the ompany has worked closely with welfare organization…

23 Apr 2018

World's Largest Short Sea Ro-Ro Vessel Named in Dublin

MV Celine, the world’s largest short sea Ro-Ro ship, will today be christened in a ceremony at Dublin Port with guest of honour, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, Godmother to the new ship, Geraldine O’Reilly, and the port’s chaplains. The formal ceremony is a long-held tradition intended to bring good fortune to the ship and involves breaking a champagne bottle against the hull as the ship is christened. To mark today’s occasion, new Irish music commissioned by Dublin Port and performed by John Sheahan of the Dubliners and Colm Mac Con Iomaire of the Frames will premiere at the ceremony, heralding the ship’s naming in front of invited guests representing her Luxembourg-based owner CLdN and the wider European shipping industry.

31 Dec 2017

Port Chaplain Made MBE

Apostleship of Sea (AoS) port chaplain Reverend Roger Stone has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s List 2018 for services to the pastoral care of seafarers. Roger has served as port chaplain for the seafarers’ charity since June 2010 and has provided pastoral, spiritual and welfare support to hundreds of crew members who arrive on ships at ports along the South Coast of England. Roger says he is truly honoured and humbled to receive the British Empire Medal from Her Majesty The Queen. He said, “I am proud to work for the Apostleship of the Sea, the greatest and most effective maritime charity in the world. I am privileged to serve so many wonderful seafarers from so many countries around the world.

06 Jun 2016

Boaty McBoatface to Set Sail – Virtually

Image: Sailors’ Society

Though the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council decided not to name its state-of-the-art polar research ship Boaty McBoatface (instead opting to name the ship David Attenborough, and calling its remotely operated undersea vehicle Boaty McBoatface), the name lives on. Another Boaty McBoatface will set sail virtually from Southampton today thanks to an initiative from international maritime charity Sailors’ Society and vessel tracking website MarineTraffic. The virtual Boaty will visit locations where Sailors’ Society has port chaplains and ship visitors…

04 Sep 2015

‘Chapplaincy’ for Better Seafarers' Welfare Support

Sailors’ Society, one of the largest seafarer support charities operating internationally, has developed ‘Chapplaincy’ a Smartphone App which will enable port chaplains and ship visitors to deliver more effective care to the world’s 1.5 million seafarers. Developed with the support of Augustea Group, Chapplaincy enables real-time activity reporting and maintains a history of ship visits and support provided to seafarers. Data can then be accessed by chaplains in other ports and subject to confidentiality and data protection policies, can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage. The App is the first of its kind and is made possible by access to global ship tracking data from MarineTraffic…

02 Feb 2015

MPHRP: Signposting for Mental Health Support

It is only after some time following traumatic events that mental health complications may surface. Assessment immediately after such events would most probably show signs of the common and perfectly normal after effects of extraordinary life events. While research is scant, all indications are that seafarers respond to trauma as we all do. We are usually quite resilient. We recover over time. Only very few of us experience ongoing symptoms and need some form of mental health care. And even then, we are assured by mental health professionals, post trauma stress is treatable. As persistent symptoms are key, the need for intervention would show itself only after four weeks, at the earliest. The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme offers ongoing support to piracy survivors.

31 Jul 2014

MPHRP's Welfare Responder Training in Manila

Few people are as devoted to seafarers’ wellbeing as MPHRP’s partners, which include the members of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) and the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). With that in mind, MPHRP embarked upon a training initiative devised in collaboration with both ICMA and ISWAN. Based upon research and extensive shared experience, the training engages port chaplains, seafarers’ centres, other shore-based welfare providers to seafarers and community carers in home countries, ensuring that we reach seafarers in ports and in their home locations before and immediately after piracy and post repatriation.

23 Jun 2014

Apostleship of the Sea Launches Maritime Emergency Fund

Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has launched a maritime emergency fund which aims to provide fast and modest cash grants to seafarers in difficulties. The dedicated fund is designed to respond to emergency financial or welfare requests from seafarers or their families in less than 24 hours, taking the immediate pressure off stressful situations. “Most seafarers and fishermen enjoy good living and working conditions but there can be circumstances when crew are not paid, cannot access communications to speak to family and loved ones and even lack food, water and heating,” AoS Great Britain National Director Martin Foley said during the launch of the fund on board the HQS Wellington in London on June 19.

02 Apr 2014

Seafarers Charity Aids Crew, Families of Fatal Ship Collision

Photo: Apostleship of the Sea

The dangers of shipping and fishing should not be underestimated, said seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea, following the collision of a car carrier and a fishing boat in Spanish waters. Media have reported that three crew are confirmed dead after the Baltic Breeze, a Singapore-flagged car carrier, collided with a fishing boat near the Spanish port of Vigo in the early morning of Tuesday, April 1. The Baltic Breeze and its crew are well known to the Apostleship of the Sea from its calls at various ports including Bristol…

07 Mar 2014

Apostleship of the Sea Hails Role of Women

Seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has paid tribute to its women port chaplains and ship visiting volunteers ahead of International Women’s Day 2014. AoS says women have and will continue to play a significant role within the organisation. It currently has women port chaplains in East Anglia, Plymouth and Hull, as well as many women ship visiting volunteers up and down the country. Their energy and fantastic work in helping meet seafarers’ practical and spiritual needs are an inspiration to many. AoS National Director Martin Foley said; “On this International Women’s Day we give thanks for the work of our female lay chaplains and ship visitors. One ship visitor is Ruth Watt, who quietly goes about her ministry in Fraserburgh and Peterhead ports in Scotland.

06 Feb 2014

Setting the Course Awards Banquet

Seafarers & International House will hold its 14th annual Setting the Course awards banquet the at the New York Athletic Club on Tuesday evening, April 22, 2014 to honor Donald J. Marcus, Edward R. Morgan and Captain Richard P. Phillips as the 2014 Outstanding Friends of Seafarers. •Don Marcus is the President of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, having served for many years as its Secretary-Treasurer. He is also the first president of the Maritime Labor Alliance (MLA), an organization formed by six unions to revitalize the U.S flag feet, to enhance cooperation within the maritime industry and to protect the jurisdictional rights of the maritime union members.

22 Jan 2014

Pope Francis Advocates for Seafarer Support

Photo courtesy Apostleship of the Sea

Pope Francis has addressed the Regional Coordinators of the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) who are meeting in Rome this week. The meeting is organized by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, which coordinates the activities of AoS worldwide. The gathering will discuss the work of AoS worldwide and how to better communicate its ministry within AoS’ global organization, to seafarers and to the wider Catholic community. At the end of the audience he greeted Sr. Mary Leahy, regional coordinator for Oceania and Fr.

15 Nov 2013

Port Chaplain RecountsTyphoon Haiyan Devastation

Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) Cebu port chaplain has spoken of the devastation caused by the typhoon and efforts to provide assistance. Across the globe the charity’s port chaplains have come out in full force to support Filipino seafarers and fishing communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan. “It was only when I arrived on the island that I saw the extent of the damage for myself; almost all the houses have collapsed, trees have been uprooted and debris is all over the place. It is in the provinces of Cebu that you really get a sense of the destruction caused by the typhoon…

01 Mar 2013

Seafarers’ Charity Welcomes National Ferry Fortnight

Seafarers’ charity the Apostleship of the Sea has welcomed the 2013 launch of National Ferry Fortnight and the focus it gives to the hard work of ferry crews. Each year, the Passenger Shipping Association promotes a National Ferry Fortnight. This year’s two-week event will take place from  March 2-16. The fortnight is designed to improve awareness of the UK’s 50 ferry routes. In ports around Great Britain, and around the world, the port chaplains of the Apostleship of the Sea visit ferry crews, to support the crew when needed and to lend a friendly face and a listening ear, providing practical and spiritual support for each and every crew member. Ferry crews and staff are one of the critical success factors for a safe and smooth voyage.

23 Oct 2012

Manning Agency Blacklisting Blights Seafarers

The Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) writes to condemn crewing agency practice of blacklisting certain seafarers. The report “Construction industry faces claims for compensation over blacklist” (October 19) brings to mind the blacklisting also occurring in shipping. Seafarers are usually recruited by manning agents in labour supply countries such as the Philippines and eastern Europe. Port chaplains visiting seafarers tell of the palpable fear of being blacklisted. Conditions on ships can be tough, so working conditions will have to be pretty tough before a seafarer would even considering making a complaint. The recent Dispatches Channel 4 programme “Cruises Undercover: The Truth Below Deck” also suggested that this may be the case also on cruise ships.

05 Jul 2012

Sailors' Charity Benefits From Mountain Expedition Challenge

A team from Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, has conquered three of Britain’s highest peaks, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Helvellyn in England and Snowdon in Wales, in just over 11 hours to raise funds for the Sailors’ Society in The Three Peaks Challenge. The team, Dan Whysall, Diana Vilarino and Graham Pearson, based at ISS’ offices in Essex, raised over £5,500 in sponsorship money for the Sailors’ Society, the first time they have participated in this gruelling peak climbing event. As Shipping Agents, ISS deals with merchant seafarers on a daily basis and knows just how important the Sailors’ Society is in enriching and enhancing the wellbeing of the 1.2 million seafarers throughout the world.

01 Feb 2012

Woolly Hat Week Inspires Knitting Frenzy

The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society Supports Campaign to Help Sailors. Sailors are renowned for spinning a good yarn, however on this occasion it is a volunteer at the land-locked Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society who has been getting busy with her knitting needles to make hats for mariners as part of Woolly Hat Week (6-13 Feb). Maureen Phillips has spearheaded a knitting frenzy at the care home, which provides dedicated accommodation and care to former seafarers, and has already produced 15 hats which will be given as gifts to sailors who arrive as strangers in ports all over the world.

01 Feb 2010

Seafarers & Int'l House Awards Banquet

On Thursday evening, April 22, 2010, Seafarers & International House will hold its annual awards banquet, “Setting the Course,” at the New York Athletic Club for the purpose of honoring Donald Keefe, President of Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Philip J. Schapiro, President & CEO of Liberty Maritime Corporation and Joseph C. Sweeney, Distinguished Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law. Seafarers & International House is a Lutheran mission serving seafarers and sojourners. Its 84-room guesthouse at 123 East 15th Street in Manhattan, once one of several seafarer hotels, is now utilized to accommodate a greater variety of travelers, including domestic violence victims, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as the reduced number of seafarers requiring accommodations.

13 Nov 2003

Stowaways Endangered by U.S. Shore Leave Policy

across the country show United States policies that endanger stowaways. Rights (CSR) in October. Department of Homeland Security. stowaways. shore leave because they posed a potential security risk. justified by evidence of a threat. said Mr. Douglas B. Stevenson, Director of the Center for Seafarers' Rights. crew), endangers the lives of stowaways. States ports," said Mr. Stevenson. The most common reason for denial of shore leave is the lack of a visa. (ILO-185). positively verifiable and internationally acceptable identification. status. Some of the security/shore leave issues have already been resolved. leave for crews. shore leave to seafarers. October 11, 2003. Texas. denial nationwide. seafarers' rights issues. to merchant seafarers and seafarers' welfare agencies worldwide.

24 Aug 2004

Seafarers' Access to Shore Leave Improves Despite Stringent July 1 Security

operators. visa was still the reason why most foreign seafarers are denied shore leave. security-based obstacles to shore leave have not gone away. getting a U.S. visa is still an issue for many seafarers," said Douglas B. Stevenson, Esq., Director of SCI's Center for Seafarers' Rights. Transportation Security Act (mandatory as of 1 July 2004). conducted previous surveys in February 2003 and in October 2003. shore leave. crew detentions. reason. terminal operators denying shore leave to ships' crews. in being allowed to board cruise vessels. ships by representatives of seafarers' welfare organizations. Oceanport, DE City). security regulations, including shore leave denial, worldwide.

16 Dec 2004

CSR Condemns Forced Detention of Seafarers

Douglas B. Environmental Protections, to protect the human and legal rights of seafarers during investigations of environmental accidents. U.S. port chaplains recently reported several cases of forced detentions of seafarers to the Institute. "In one of the most troubling reports, mariner witnesses were shackled and held in immigration prison when their company refused to continue paying for a hotel," said Mr. Stevenson. pollution. environmental crimes. environmental crimes. losing the ability to return home," said Mr. Stevenson. environmental crimes. Department of Justice's detention policies. "U.S. respect instead of as criminals. crimes," said Mr. Stevenson. Some Examples of Seafarers Detained in U.S. · Seward, Alaska. July 2004. material witnesses in an illegal dumping case.

06 Dec 2002

Rev. Dr. Jean Smith Appointed as Executive Director of SCI

The Rev. Dr. Jean Smith has been appointed Executive Director of the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) of New York & New Jersey by its Board of Trustees at its December 5 meeting. On January 1, 2003 she will succeed the Rev. Canon Peter Larom who will become a special advisor to the Institute and other organizations. The first woman to lead the 169-year-old maritime institution, Dr. in North America whose 2003 budget is over $6.5 million. legal advocacy work. said George D. Benjamin Chairman of SCI's Board of Trustees. With the Institute since 1990, Dr. Services. from Pittsburgh to Houston. Dr. Port of New York & New Jersey. from under-served ports around the world. Friendly Churches.