Author: Nathaniel Xavier

Seafarers should not have to choose between shore leave and rest

Posted on April 8, 2025 by -

No One Should Have to Choose Between Shore Leave and Rest – Stella Maris UK Urges ILO Action.

As the International Labour Organization (ILO) meets to consider changes to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) this week, leading maritime charity Stella Maris UK  is calling for urgent protections to stop seafarers being forced to choose between shore leave and adequate rest, a decision that no seafarer should have to make. 

“This should never be a choice,” said Tim Hill, CEO of Stella Maris UK. “But for many crew, it’s an unacceptable reality.  We regularly meet seafarers who are either denied shore leave on vague ‘operational’ grounds, or are too exhausted to go ashore even when permitted.” 

 A recent International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) report backs up what Stella Maris chaplains and ship visitors witness daily: shore leave is becoming harder to access, and many seafarers are sacrificing it out of necessity – not choice – due to relentless working hours. 

In one case, a crew was told not to leave the ship as they were needed to receive provisions – despite already working long hours.  In another, a crew on a detained vessel was denied shore leave for two weeks and told to keep working until repairs were complete.  When visited by a Stella Maris chaplain, they were visibly exhausted, demoralised and morale was very low. 

Elsewhere, crews showed signs of severe fatigue and deteriorating mental health.  One seafarer resigned due to stress, while others were considering breaking their contracts just to get home. 

“There are many ship operators who do the right thing and put crew welfare first,” Hill added. “But the erosion of shore leave and disregard for meaningful rest are having a clear and dangerous impact on crew wellbeing.  Without stronger safeguards and consistent enforcement, unsafe working conditions risk becoming the norm.  Adequate rest and access to shore leave must be treated as operational essentials, not optional extras. 

Stella Maris UK is calling on the ILO to  strengthen protections and tighten enforcement to ensure that seafarers don’t have to choose between rest and their right to shore leave. 

New Stella Maris Southampton Seafarers Club opens

Posted on November 27, 2024 by -

Stella Maris is delighted to announce the blessing and opening of the new Stella Maris Southampton Seafarers’ Club on 26 November.

The new centre, managed by our Southampton and Southern Ports regional port chaplains Charles Stuart and Gregory Hogan and their team of fantastic volunteers, will provide a much needed warm and welcome haven for seafarers, as well as a hub for all charity ship visiting volunteers. A real home away home!

Seafarers can use the free Wi-Fi, get free hot beverages, watch TV, play pool and contact loved ones back home. Crews can also spend their time ashore visiting nearby shops, food outlets, supermarkets and bureau de change, all within a few minutes’ walk from the Seafarers’ Club. St. Joseph’s Church, located next door to the Club, offers seafarers in need of spiritual nourishment a space for quiet prayer and reflection.

The Seafarers’ Club is the culmination of an 18-month collaborative venture with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), The Seafarers’ Charity, The Mission to Seafarers and the Seamen’s Friendly Society of St Paul.

It was an honour to have the Club blessed by Bishop Phillip Egan, Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth and a formal ribbon cutting ceremony by all representatives from the maritime welfare charities directly involved.

Over 32,000 fishers in Kenya and Thailand supported by Stella Maris

Posted on November 20, 2024 by -

On World Fisheries Day global maritime network Stella Maris is pleased to announce that more than 32,000 fishers in Thailand and Kenya are to benefit from targeted safety training thanks to a collaboration between Stella Maris and the International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS).

Stella Maris works extensively with fishing communities in Kenya and Thailand. It has recently received two grants totalling nearly £57,000 from the IFFS. These grants will help provide training to artisanal and migrant fishers, and safety equipment to help ensure fishers can have fulfilling and safe careers.

Targeted safety training in Kenya

Fishing is a major source of income for over 70,000 people in Kenya. However, fishing remains a very dangerous occupation, with an estimated 1% of fishers in Kenya losing their lives each year. Many of these deaths could be prevented by better training and awareness of some of the most common causes, including drowning, exposure, drug and alcohol misuse, and hippo attacks.

The IFFS funding will enable Stella Maris Kenya to provide training to over 32,000 fishers in the country on the Great Lakes and coastal regions, working with the local government and Beach Management Units.

The programme is being jointly developed with the Kenyan Maritime Authority, which will help ensure that the training, messaging and advice given matches government and international regulatory standards.

Helping to save lives in Thailand

A second IFFS grant is being used to fund a health and safety, and life-saving training programme for hundreds of migrant fishers in East Thailand. Compared to their West Thailand counterparts, fishers based in East Thailand work from smaller boats and do not receive funding from large seafood industry organisations to help develop safety training programmes.

This lack of safety training has been a contributing factor in tragic accidents occurring at sea. Some crews do not receive any survival training and are not wearing life jackets at the time of an accident. Stella Maris Thailand has a strong presence in the region and, as the main local fishing and maritime charity, is there to support fishers and their families after such incidents.

Through the IFFS grant, Stella Maris Thailand will help deliver proper safety training to hundreds of migrant fishers in East Thailand, thereby saving lives and promoting better livelihoods.

Prioritising safety

Stella Maris CEO and National Director Tim Hill MBE said, “Fishing remains among the most dangerous jobs in the world. Many communities worldwide rely on fishing for their livelihoods and as a vital source of food and nutrition.

“Fishers’ lives, safety and welfare must always be put before profit. Safety training is an issue not just in developing countries, but a global challenge. Stella Maris is delighted to be partnering with the IFFS to enable our colleagues to deliver vital fisher safety and wellbeing programmes and training in Africa and Southeast Asia.”

IFFS Coordinator Alan McCulla OBE said, “World Fisheries Day serves as a poignant reminder of the vital role fishing communities play in ensuring global food security and sustaining millions of livelihoods. The International Fund for Fishing Safety (IFFS) grants are making a tangible difference in these communities, exemplified by the impactful work of Stella Maris in countries like Kenya and Thailand with these initiatives focused on enhancing the safety and well-being of fishers. By providing resources and training, Stella Maris is improving safety and enhancing the livelihoods of these communities. These actions underscore the importance of supporting and empowering fishing communities worldwide, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met.”

Stella Maris appoints new chaplain in Northwest England

Posted on November 11, 2024 by -

Leading global maritime charity Stella Maris is pleased to announce the revival of its port chaplaincy service in the Northwest of England after an absence there of almost 10 years.

The charity has appointed Merseyside born-and-bred Christopher Reynolds to the role with immediate effect.

Christopher will initially cover the ports of Liverpool, Fleetwood, Maryport, Whitehaven and Barrow, with a view to expanding the charity’s work further to Holyhead, and potentially to the Isle of Man.

“I am excited to be working in Liverpool, with its long seafaring history and ever-expanding horizons in hosting cargo vessels and passenger ships alike. I am also keen to ensure that seafaring ports such as Fleetwood, Maryport, Whitehaven and Barrow are given support too,” Christopher said.

“I lived in Ramsey, in the Isle of Man for a couple of years – so it would be good to provide as much support as I can to the ferry company workers and the fishing communities there. There are also two vessels I knew from my time living there that carry freight from Ramsey to England and Belfast, and I have visited these vessels before,” he added.

Earlier in his career, Christopher attended Fleetwood Nautical Campus for three years and he explains that he loved every second of it. He also visited Maryport each year for Remembrance Sunday with the Liverpool University Royal Naval Unit.

Christopher served as Stella Maris’ Regional Port Chaplain in Northern Ireland for more than a year prior to his current appointment in Northwest England.

“I feel privileged and very grateful for the opportunity to return home to the Northwest of England in my current role. I have found in my work as Stella Maris Regional Port Chaplain in Belfast that the role brings together my previous experiences at sea and discerning a vocation to the religious life with the Redemptorists. My nautical and seminary studies have both proved useful,” he said.

He adds, “I am deeply passionate about helping seafarers and fishers, whose hard work and sacrifice often go unnoticed in society. I am very keen to work alongside organisations in Liverpool and the wider Northwest that are already working to ensure the wellbeing of seafarers and fishers. Ultimately, I hope to be a source of peace and support for seafarers and fishers in the region.”

Christopher hopes to visit up to 100 vessels a month once up and running but knows that this will take time as he establishes a presence in the ports he visits. He will also work at increasing the number of volunteer ship visitors in the Northwest who will provide vital support to Stella Maris’ port chaplaincy service in the region.

Stella Maris UK CEO and National Director Tim Hill said this new appointment marks an exciting return and expansion of the charity’s ministry in the Northwest of England.

“Seafarers and fishers still face immense insecurities and dangers in their daily jobs, from wars to the risk of pirate attacks, abandonment and modern slavery,” he said.

“In the United Kingdom, we have a team of 19 chaplains and over 100 volunteer ship visitors, working in nearly 100 ports across the country, who day-in day-out provide practical, spiritual, and emotional support to hundreds of seafarers and fishers. This new appointment in the Northwest of England is the last piece that completes our national coverage of UK port regions.

“We are ready to hit the ground running and to work with government departments, other maritime welfare agencies, the port communities and our supporters in the Northwest of England to ensure that seafarers and fishers there receive the support they deserve.”

The human touch – Stella Maris cares for seafarers and fishers

Posted on October 21, 2024 by -

“Russia’s floating mega bomb sparks panic in UK waters!”

This unfortunately was one of many sensationalist headlines in the UK Press over the last few weeks relating to the plight of the MV Ruby, a ship anchored just off Margate outside UK territorial waters.

Running out of food and water. Desperate crew. Feeling abandoned.

In steps Deacon John Fogarty, Kent Regional Port Chaplain and other staff from Stella Maris. Many phone calls to the owner, P&I company, agent, port authorities and chandlers. Everyone trying, but getting nowhere. Too many reporting inaccuracies driving inaction:

– ‘It’s Russian’ – no it’s not, it’s Maltese flagged and Dubai owned.
– ‘It’s a ticking bomb’ – no it’s not – it’s ammonium nitrate (fertiliser) stored safely and inert.
– ‘It’s another Beirut’ – no it’s not – that was a lethal combination of fireworks and poorly stored ammonium nitrate.
– ‘They’re Russian crew’ – no they’re not – they’re 1 x Swede, 1 x Ukrainian and 17 x Syrians.

So what if they were Russian? Seafarers – people – running out of supplies and hope.

Eventually food was delivered and the ship’s water maker repaired. Did John and the team influence change? Maybe. But a very grateful Master and crew, and here’s his message to John:

“In the midst of talking to my employers and agencies, and in a state of serious stress, I had forgotten the human touch and within that, agencies like you, Stella Maris. I will never forget you now. I have called my first officer and ordered him to prepare a little celebration tomorrow when we receive our provisions in order to lift the mood on board. I will call you then. 1000 thank yous from me and from all of my crew.”

People caring about seafarers – that’s what makes Stella Maris and other maritime charities great.

Stella Maris launches new Life at Sea report focusing on seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing

Posted on October 10, 2024 by -

Many seafarers still fear the stigma of speaking openly about their struggles while working at sea, so shipping needs to keep crew mental health and wellbeing high-up on its agenda, a leading global maritime charity has urged.

Stella Maris’ Life at Sea Report 2024 is launched today on World Mental Health Day. This year’s edition focuses on the importance of mental health in the maritime industry and the role played by hundreds of Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers around the globe to support the mental wellbeing of seafarers.

“Seafarers are tough, they have to be. Being part of a small crew is inherently challenging. The work is relentless, and emotions such as loneliness, fear and boredom are difficult to endure,” said Stella Maris CEO and National Director Tim Hill.

“But it can be hard for seafarers to talk about their worries. The fear of being judged or lowering morale among crew often keeps them silent. When seafarers are concerned about their families, they can feel powerless and isolated,” he added.

“At Stella Maris, we believe that face-to-face interaction makes a huge difference. A friend in port. A listening ear. A welcoming smile. When you ask seafarers about life at sea, they often say they miss the feeling of being connected. Human connection is what Stella Maris chaplains provide in their tens of thousands of ship visits each year.

And when crisis strikes, the value and impact of our chaplains’ support is even greater, providing a unique service to the world’s seafarers wherever they are.” he explained.

As with previous years, the Report features excellent case studies of how Stella Maris’ support has provided a lifeline for many seafarers caught up in crises.  It includes examples of Ukrainian seafarers anxious about their future and that of their families, seafarers worried about sailing through the current conflict zones of the Red Sea and the Black Sea, a case of a seafarer in emotional distress after being arrested, and a crew under enormous financial strain after not being paid for weeks.

The Report also highlights how Stella Maris’ partnership with the shipping industry including P&I Clubs, shipping companies and other welfare agencies, has been vital in helping to address and solve crews’ concerns.

“One of the most important things the industry can invest in is making sure seafarers continue to get caring, compassionate human contact,” says clinical psychologist Charles Watkins, who is featured in the Report.

“Stella Maris has chaplains around the world, in all cultures, and they have a really good feeling for culture and what that means for mental and physical health. These small things – going on board, chatting to crews, asking about their families – they are not small at all. They are huge. I’ve been on board vessels with Stella Maris chaplains and have seen for myself. This is significant, impactful work,” he added. 

Download Stella Maris’ 2024 Life At Sea Report here https://stellamaris.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Life-at-Sea-A4-Landscape-web.pdf

Stella Maris launches Ukraine Financial Resilience Training programme

Posted on October 3, 2024 by -

Leading global maritime charity Stella Maris is proactively engaging in helping to rebuild the lives of Ukrainian seafarers and their families, torn apart by the ongoing war with Russia, by launching a financial resilience training programme for them.

With the potential to financially empower 150,000 Ukrainian people in the maritime sector including their families, the programme is part-funded (50%) by Stella Maris UK. It will be delivered by Stella Maris Ukraine in partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Business Incubator Group Ukraine, and others. 

The course will cover the basics of personal finance, future financial planning, managing income, expenses and savings, and a guide to pensions.

Ukraine’s maritime environment has faced unprecedented destruction in recent years. The war has devastated the country’s sports, education, transport industry, shipbuilding, and, of course, the Navy. Ukrainian seafarers are taken captive, killed, injured, or lose the ability to work at sea, while port workers continue their duties under constant missile attacks.

Ukrainian seafarers and their families have suffered significant deteriorations in their financial situations because of the war, either while at sea, or ashore at home, or in a second country as refugees. The upheaval and the associated additional living costs – and the loss of income caused by the war – have all put significant financial pressure on seafarers and their families.  This has also added to their stress, impacting their mental wellbeing. 

With this in mind, Stella Maris Ukraine has in the last year, taken the lead in restoring the country’s maritime environment as a unified sector. It creates a safe and trustworthy space for all people of the sea – from seafarers arriving at the port of Odesa under the sound of sirens and missile strikes – to the families of fallen and captured military personnel.

Stella Maris UK CEO Tim Hill said, “Through the financial resilience programme, Stella Maris Ukraine will offer Ukrainian seafarers a set of online courses to better manage their finances, in the context of their unique position caused by the war. The course is also seen as a first step in ‘rebuilding after the war’, by ensuring that seafarers are equipped with the skills necessary to respond when peace returns.”

“Focusing on post conflict skills is a powerful way to encourage seafarers and their families to engage in other training and activities by giving them hope of a brighter future,” he added.

Tim Hill

Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy of Stella Maris Ukraine, said, “We are delighted and grateful to Stella Maris UK and other funders for providing financial support and directional expertise in setting up this much-needed programme. It will go a long way towards helping to rebuild the lives of thousands of seafarers and their families devastated by the war. This programme will not only equip participants with financial skills, but also give their morale and confidence a boost looking ahead to the future.

In addition to this financial literacy programme, Stella Maris Ukraine is implementing a range of projects including mental and financial support for sailors, and assistance to families. This is not just help, but a response to the challenges the local population faces daily. The work of Stella Maris Ukraine helps the Ukrainian maritime community to stay composed and effective in the most difficult conditions.

Fr Alexander added: “We still face many challenges, including de-mining the sea. Relying on the support and experience of our British colleagues, we are laying the foundation for Ukraine’s future as a strong maritime nation. Under the pressure of war, we are creating a new course that will make our maritime environment stronger than ever before.”

Fr Alexander

World Maritime Day 2024 message

Posted on September 26, 2024 by -

Today, 26th September is World Maritime Day. Stella Maris’ CEO/National Director, Tim Hill, and Chair of Trustees, Dr Esteban Pacha has sent a letter to His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization. Here’s the text of the letter.

Dear Secretary General,

On behalf of Stella Maris, the Maritime Charity of the Catholic Church, we would like to offer you our wholehearted support for this year’s World Maritime Day which carries the theme, “Navigating the future: safety first!”  This is a very fitting theme, particularly on the 50th anniversary of the SOLAS Convention.

The theme reflects the IMO’s excellent work to enhance maritime safety and security, in tandem with the protection of the marine environment.  It also acknowledges the Organization’s ongoing commitment to ensure regulatory frameworks are in place to accommodate emerging technologies and innovations so that seaborne international trade continues to be safe, smooth and efficient.

As a leading global maritime ship visiting network and seafarer welfare support organisation, Stella Maris has always put safety at the forefront of our priorities.  We strive to ensure that seafarers work and live in safe and secure environments on board and in ports, and it is our sincere belief that seafarers must be at the centre of any emerging changes taking place within the maritime industry.

Ensuring seafarers’ safety is paramount.  Against the backdrop of the ongoing Ukraine war and its impact on the Black Sea region, escalating tensions in the Red Sea region and other challenges such as piracy and hijackings at sea, there is no doubt that seafarers continue to work in risky and dangerous conditions.  If seafarers voluntarily agree to work in dangerous regions, then everything must be done to ensure their safety, and additional welfare provided to support them and their families, which includes those crews on extended transit south of the Cape of Good Hope.  As ever, we will continue our daily ship visits in ports worldwide, where our chaplains and volunteers provide friendship and support that help safeguard seafarers’ physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety.

Stella Maris stands ready to continue to work with the IMO, shipping organisations and companies, welfare service providers and the wider maritime community, to ensure that every effort is made to improve safety and morale on board. This will assist in the recruitment and retention of the industry’s most prized asset: its people.

Please be assured of our continued support for your excellent work.

Stella Maris commits long-term funding to support seafarers at risk in Ukraine

Posted on August 5, 2024 by -

  • Stella Maris will fund support for seafarers in Odesa for as long as it is needed.
  • UK corporates Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation and UK P&I Club step up to provide urgent financial support.
  • Ship crews navigating Russian Black Sea threats face extreme pressure.
  • Ukrainian seafarers and families face financial hardships.

Leading maritime charity Stella Maris is committing funding “for as long as it takes” to provide urgent support to the thousands of seafarers in Ukraine and those regularly making the perilous journey to and from its Black Sea ports.

Seafarers working on vessels that have to navigate Russian threats through the Black Sea face numerous challenges, not least mental health issues associated with life-threatening risks.

And in Ukraine itself, seafarers have not been able to work for more than two years because of the country’s wartime rules, often creating financial hardships.

Stella Maris Odesa port chaplain, Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, and Rostyslav
Inzhestoikov, assistant port chaplain, with a seafarer.

“There is a long-term need to support seafarers in Ukraine and we have committed to cover the core running costs of the Stella Maris team based in the Ukraine Black Sea Port of Odesa for as long as it takes,” said Tim Hill, the charity’s CEO.

“We are providing active support and sending a clear message of solidarity that the maritime sector has not forgotten Ukraine nor the issues seafarers are facing.”

Companies in the maritime industry are already stepping up to provide funding. UK P&I Club and Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation have together provided sufficient funds to cover the Odesa team’s core running costs for 2024.

“We are very grateful to these two organisations, which have identified the urgent need for ongoing support after two and a half years of war,” said Ian Stokes, Head of Corporate Engagement and Partnerships at Stella Maris.

“We are the only maritime charity team on the ground in Odesa and the support of Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation and UK P&I Club enables us to provide a wide range of support from trauma counselling and ship visits to grants towards medication, heating and other household costs.”

Patrick Ryan, Sustainability Director and Head of Club Secretariat for Thomas Miller P&I Ltd said, “The UK P&I Club recognises that war in Ukraine has increased the demands on Stella Maris to support seafarers operating in that region, whilst also harming the charity’s ability to raise funds locally.  The Club is, therefore, delighted to be able to provide financial support to enable Stella Maris to keep up its vital work in Odesa.”

In addition to Ukrainian seafarers and their families, Stella Maris supports a large number of seafarers of different nationalities who come into Odesa and other ports.

“Often they cannot get off their ships because of the risk so we go on board and support them in any way we can,” said Jonathan Heard, Head of Major Gifts, Stella Maris.

“Often what they need is just the ability to talk to someone they can trust. But these seafarers are under a lot of pressure. They are working in a war zone. Some will witness missile and bomb explosions nearby; others will see armed drones. In these situations, we regularly see an uptick in the need for faith and spiritual support as well as trauma counselling, which we also provide.”

* Words by Polaris Media

More seafarers now supported in Northern Ireland with new Stella Maris Port Chaplain

Posted on June 27, 2024 by -

By Euan McArthur

Back in January, Chris Reynolds swapped teaching chemistry in secondary school for a front-line role with Stella Maris, the Catholic charity that supports seafarers and fishers both practically and spiritually. The charity had begun building a presence in Northern Ireland in 2019.

As Regional Port Chaplain, Chris visits seafarers in ports across Northern Ireland including Belfast, Ardglass Foyle Port and Warrenpoint and hopes to continue to build the capacity of Stella Maris to reach seafarers soon in areas such as Kilkeel and Larne.

Chris is thoroughly enjoying his new role. He said: “I’m really enjoying it. Being here in Belfast, the job is fantastic. It’s an absolute dream job for me.

“I’m out every day visiting ships, speaking to seafarers. As a former seafarer, I find that really engaging. I work very closely with the Mission to Seafarers, and they very kindly let me work out of their Seafarers Centre. It is a privilege to work alongside chaplains and ministers from other denominations doing what we can to provide practical support to the seafaring community.

“Deacon Joe O’Donnell has been very helpful. He’s our Senior Area Port Chaplain for Scotland and Northern Ireland. He has been right there behind me the whole way; in the first instance I was able to follow his example but now more and more I am discovering my own way and growing in confidence in the role.

“If I’ve any questions, I’ve been able to ask him. I don’t feel like I can’t ask. I’m approaching 250 ship visits since taking on the role in January. However, it’s more about the quality of the visit than the quantity.

“There will be a day when I visit six ships, which is great, but there will be a day when I visit two because I could be taking people to hospital appointments, into town or to the Seafarers Centre.”

It has been an almost seamless transition for Stella Maris’ most recent recruit who is driven by the core values of the charity that was founded in Glasgow back in 1920.

In recent years, Deacon Joe O’Donnell had laid the foundations for Stella Maris in Northern Ireland with regular working visits there from Scotland. He had been ably supported throughout this process by Fr. Gerry McCloskey, who was appointed chaplain to Stella Maris by the Bishop. Fr. Gerry has played a significant role in supporting the fishing community, encouraging volunteers and saying Mass on board vessels, most recently on-board Dublin Eagle.

Chris is now building on those foundations and expanding the charity’s volunteer base in Northern Ireland. The charity’s growth of activities in Northern Ireland has been supported by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.

And perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Chris has settled in so well, given his previous experience:

Chris explained: “I spent three years in formation with the Redemptorists in the London Province, which was a wonderful experience and I also spent time training to be a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy.

“I went all over the world. I worked on Tall Ships in the Indian Ocean, sailing from Africa to India. I was on oil tankers in the Gulf of Texas, Venezuela and the Caribbean.

“I spent a brief period on board an offshore vessel, working out of Aberdeen and Stena ferries as well on the Cairnryan to Belfast routes. It was fantastic experience.

“I know the job of a seafarer can be fantastic. It’s one of the best jobs out there and I encourage any young people to consider the merchant and maritime industry as a career.

“But it’s also a very difficult job. It comes with lots of stresses and strains. I’ve done a lot of things in life as I tried to find where I belong, and I feel this role is a chance to bring together my experience at sea and my experience with the Redemptorists.

“It has been everything I thought it would be and I absolutely love coming to work.”

For Chris, it’s all about making a difference to the lives of seafarers and a recent encounter with a Ukrainian seafarer stands out.

He said: “When I was teaching it was the pastoral element that was the bit I liked really…the chance to make a difference in somebody’s life.

“I feel much more natural doing what I’m doing here. We make small, tangible differences every single day. The highlights so far have just been making that difference to seafarers and seeing their face when I say to them; yes, I can help you with that…no problem!

“They might tell you that they’d like to visit a museum or go to the supermarket. They’re always so surprised when you say to them that you’ll take them…it’s free, don’t worry about it…

“On one ship I met a Ukrainian seafarer who was finding it difficult to work alongside his colleagues from Russia given current tensions.

“I thought to myself what do I say to this guy? His family were in Odesa and that city had just been bombing.

“There was no point pretending I could change everything for this guy. But all I could do was give him the number and email address of Fr. Alexander (the Stella Maris port chaplain in Odesa). I said it would be worth contacting Fr Alex as he might be able to visit his family and make sure they’re Ok.

“You could tell the guy was quite moved. If all I did that day was give a man the chance to touch base with someone close to his family and a chance to know they were safe then I feel we made a small but valuable difference. Sometimes visits send you away appreciating what you have and more determined than ever to support seafarers. Sometimes you do come away thinking that has made a real difference.”

Chris’ impact hasn’t gone unnoticed, and Joe O’Donnell is full of praise for his efforts.

Joe said: “The ship-visiting in Northern Ireland since Chris started has escalated quite high. That’s because we now have a permanent presence in Belfast. It does make a big difference having Chris here.”