Author: Mark Banks

Sea Sunday appeals continue amid adverse conditions

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Mark Banks -

Sea Sunday 2020 at Greengairs, Scotland.

The hard-working seafarers that crew container ships and other shipping vessels are among the true frontline heroes of the past year. Therefore, this year, when their services have been needed more so than ever, on Sea Sunday, we gave thanks to God for them; just as we clapped for carers in the Spring.

Stella Maris’ annual Sea Sunday appeal took place on Sunday 20^th December – postponed from its originally scheduled date in July. An immense debt of gratitude is owed to the numerous chaplains, volunteers, deacons and priests who, despite the challenges of the time, stepped forth to promote the work of the seafarers’ charity.

Thanks to their efforts, many prayers and Masses were offered up for the work of Stella Maris, and much-needed funds were raised through the very generous donations of our countless friends and supporters across the UK. Stella Maris wishes to thank all involved in making the day a success; even during these difficult and testing times.

Seafarers the world over are no strangers when it comes to pressing ahead with their work and continuing on their voyage, even amidst the most challenging and adverse weather conditions.

The past year has seen all of us face challenging conditions of a manifestly different, though not necessarily any easier kind. Lives were turned upside down and normal work practices suspended, as the Coronavirus pandemic swept across the world in a matter of months.

Amidst the turmoil, one of the most remarkable aspects of the crisis is that the global trade of goods has continued virtually unaffected; food continues to arrive in our shops from all around the world, not to mention medicine, medical equipment and an immeasurably diverse range of other goods.

However, such service and continued provision of our essential supplies has come at a cost. On 20^th December, in his Angelus address, Pope Francis highlighted the plight of stranded seafarers who have had to work beyond their contracts and who are unable to return home due to airline cancellations, border closures and national quarantine rules brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. Regarding this crisis, the Holy Father said:

“Dear brothers and sisters, the coronavirus pandemic has caused particular distress to seafarers. Many of them – an estimated 400,000 worldwide – are stuck on the ships beyond the terms of their contracts and are unable to return home. I ask the Virgin Mary, Stella Maris, to comfort these people and all those who live in difficult situations, and I urge governments to do everything possible so that they can return to their loved ones.”
Pope Francis, Vatican City, 20th December 2020

During such times, when many seafarers faced a miserable, lonely Christmas, thousands of miles away from their families, the practical, emotional and spiritual support that Stella Maris provides, is a lifeline for these often exhausted and anxious men and women in need. Therefore, this year’s Sea Sunday celebrations and appeals were as vital as ever in giving thanks to God for these brave men and women; as well as collecting funds to enable the essential work of Stella Maris to continue amidst these desperately challenging times.

The funds collected across the United Kingdom during the Sea Sunday appeals will help to facilitate the work of Stella Maris throughout the coming year. This work includes enabling our chaplains and volunteers to be out, as usual, visiting seafarers on the gangway or dockside – even on Christmas Day. It includes handing out small gifts and providing vital pastoral care, as well as providing welfare packages of food and toiletries, and faith resources, such as rosaries, Bibles and prayer books.

Throughout the year, and especially during the Christmas season, our chaplains and volunteers will also provide Wi-Fi and help to facilitate internet access, such that the seafarers they meet can speak to and see the faces of their family members and loved ones back home; some of whom they may not have seen for over a year – or indeed in the case of new-born babies, perhaps a son or daughter whom they have not yet seen at all.

A chaplain’s story of encouragement and affirmation

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Mark Banks -

The Crew of the ‘MV Victoria T’ bulk carrier vessel, docked at Immingham.

Our Regional Port Chaplain for Immingham recently reported back with two stories that provide great encouragement and affirmation for the work of Stella Maris.

The past year has seen millions of us faced with unprecedented trials and challenges, both in our personal and professional lives. However, amidst the anxiety and uncertainty, stories of hope, encouragement and affirmation abound. Steve Willows, our Regional Port Chaplain for Immingham (North East Lincolnshire), recently reported back on two encounters for which the seafarers that Stella Maris was able to help were left with immense gratitude.

The first story recounts a video-call that Steve received from a seafarer some weeks ago, through Facebook. Steve was unsure of who it was, but answered the call and was greeted by a seafarer from Myanmar (previously Burma), whom he recognised as someone he had helped a year-and-a-half ago. The man and his fellow seafarers had been having some issues with wages and living conditions that the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) had helped to sort out. At the time, Steve had visited them to provide them with free Wi-Fi for their time in port, so they could send some evidence to the ITF. The men were so grateful at the time for the use of the internet.

During the recent video-call, Steve spoke with the seafarer about how things are now, and he reported back that he was with a better company and that his family were all good. He then said thank you again and remarked that he would always remember the help and generosity that Steve and Stella Maris were able to provide. The encounter particularly struck Steve and reaffirmed everything that Stella Maris does in its work to help seafarers. Steve commented that it was encouraging because the chaplains don’t usually get to hear how things have changed after their first contact. Therefore, it was great news to receive an update from this man and to know that things are much better now.

The second story that Steve recounted involved a crew member onboard the ‘Victoria T’ bulk carrier ship, which was recently docked at Immingham. This particular seafarer happened to have a sister who lives in the UK, albeit quite some distance from the port. The lady was travelling to meet her brother, but he was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to get to the vessel due to the current Coronavirus restrictions. Steve gave the man his mobile number, in case there were any issues with which the man needed help.

When evening came, Steve received a call from the man’s sister saying that she and her husband weren’t being allowed past the port security, and asked if Steve could come and help. Steve immediately got into his car and went to find them. Due to Immingham port being quite a maze of roads, the lady and her husband had gone to the wrong part of the port and weren’t able to gain access. Thankfully Steve found them, and after following him, they made it to the vessel and were able to reconnect with the lady’s brother.

The reunion was clearly so important for the lady and her brother; it had been six years since they had last seen each other! Steve said that had he been able to, he thinks the seafarer’s brother-in-law would have given him a big hug, he was so delighted! It was a lovely scene to witness with so much joy, and Steve was delighted to be able to help. Even if in practical terms it was just a small thing in guiding the couple around Immingham port, the resulting reunion clearly meant something much more to the whole family – it was a wonderful Christmas present, that came during the most challenging of times.

Bringing Christmas Relief to Fatigued Seafarers

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Mark Banks -

Chaplain Julian Wong delivers a Christmas present to the seafarers at Felixstowe Port. This big package is for the 22-man crew of the Seago Istanbul cargo ship.

Chaplains from seafarer charity Stella Maris have been delivering Christmas gifts and paying pastoral visits to crews the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

Since the end of October, Stella Maris Chaplains have been supplementing their normal pastoral visits and provision of essential items for seafarers, with gifts and goods to help crew members celebrate Christmas, as well as survive the onset of the cold winter months ahead.

Such visits of support are appreciated by the seafarers as being vital for their spiritual, mental and physical health and well-being, especially at this time of year, and in particular by those on long contracts. Some of the crew members with whom the chaplains spoke were just months into their six-month contracts. Others were on 12-month contracts; separated from family, friends and loved ones for the entire year.

Deacon Nick O’Neill and Gregory Hogan met at the Stella Maris ‘Santa’s Workshop’ at St Bernard’s Church in Southampton, to put together Christmas gift packages for the seafarers

As the second week of Advent commenced, Deacon Doug Duncan, Regional Port Chaplain, reported back from his travels around ports in the north-east of Scotland, where he, Sister Rosario, and other volunteers had been delivering over 100 Christmas parcels to seafarers from around the globe. Deacon Doug was astounded by God’s providence, as gifts to make up these parcels had come in from parishes far and wide across the region; including hats, mufflers, socks, gloves, sweets, rosaries, books and other items of clothing. The gifts were blessed by Rev Doug following a Mass by Fr Mark Impson on Monday 7th December, the Feast of St Ambrose.

Deacon Doug Duncan, Sister Rosario and volunteer Pam Miller, deliver Christmas parcels to ports across the North-east of Scotland.

South of the border, Deacon Peter Barrigan, Regional Port Chaplain for Tees, Hartlepool & Seaham, and a team of local volunteers delivered 79 parcels to four ships docked in the North-east. The crews were from China, the Philippines and Turkey, and all were all delighted with the gifts they received; even more so when they heard that they had been freely-donated by school children, church groups, families and individuals from the region.

In the first week of December, Julian Wong, Regional Port Chaplain for East Anglia and Haven Ports, was able to deliver his first Christmas present to seafarers at Felixstowe Port – a large package for the 22 crew members of the Seago Istanbul container ship. Julian reported that the men were delighted with their gift… as well as the opportunity to have their photos taken! Just a couple of weeks previously, as the cold November weather had begun to set in, Julian had already been giving out bags of woolly hats to each of the ships in his local ports, and spoke of the joy one seafarer expressed in being given a rosary and crucifix.

An abundant collection of woolly hats ready for the winter months ahead.

Such essential winter clothing supplies were also being delivered in good time by John Fogarty, Regional Port Chaplain for several ports in the county of Kent, who, at the end of October, spent some time in Sheerness, where many beautifully knitted gifts, including scarves, gloves and hats, had already arrived from generous volunteers, in readiness for distribution to seafarers at Christmas.

And in November, Doug Duncan, Regional Port Chaplain for north-east Scotland, and Sister Rosario, a local Filipino ship visitor for Stella Maris, reported back on their visit to Filipino seafarers onboard the Fugro Galaxy research vessel. They dropped off bags of hats, mufflers, gloves, socks, toiletries, chocolates and religious items to a very happy crew. Several of the crew members told Doug and Sr. Rosario that they would not be returning home until March next year, therefore missing spending Christmas with their families.

Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers deliver Christmas parcels to seafarers at UK ports throughout Advent.

In the coming weeks and months, Stella Maris chaplains will be continuing their tireless work, out in all weathers and at all times of the day, providing essential supplies to help support and sustain seafarers – both physically and spiritually – who will be visiting UK ports from all corners of the world throughout this Christmas season and the approaching winter months.

Stella Maris steps in to help V.Ships vessel

Posted on November 24, 2020 by Mark Banks -

Seafarer charity Stella Maris recently stepped in to assist V.Ships with a challenge resulting from COVID-19 restrictions.

A seafarer, who had been onboard a vessel for over 12 months, was denied disembarkation at Galveston, Houston, due to an expired US visa. Current US policy allows crew changes in the US as long as the seafarer has a valid visa. The crew member, who had been on board for over 12 months, was under severe stress and suffering from poor mental health as a result of his extended time on board.

Ozgur Yilmaz, Global Planning and Service Assurance Director, explains the situation: “With V.Ships unable to secure a visa, we asked Stella Maris for assistance, in the hope that they could provide a local port chaplain to support the seafarer while the visa issues were tackled.

“Thankfully, a Stella Maris chaplain was on hand to provide support. Eventually, we were able to secure a visa waiver for the crew member in order to make the change.”

Stella Maris Galveston Port Chaplain Karen Parsons was on hand to provide support to the seafarer while Fr Sinclair Oubre, Stella Maris Port Chaplain in Port Arthur spoke with Customs and Border Protection which helped resolve the situation.

“The strength of Stella Maris’ network in North America and close partnerships with local agencies helped us act quickly to assist the seafarer and effectively deal with the situation,” said Deacon Paul Rosenblum, Stella Maris Regional Coordinator for North America and the Caribbean.

V.Group maintains a close working relationship with Stella Maris globally and the two organisations work closely together