Author: Sarah Eustace

‘Stowaways held onboard cargo ship’.
              Behind the headlines of illegal immigrants and special force helicopters being deployed, little mention was made of the seafarers who live and work Grande Tema. (The Grand Tema made headlines after stowaways were found on the ship and reportedly threatened the crew) .
              This ship docked regularly at the port of Tilbury over the years, so a visit on 22nd December by our Tilbury port chaplain, Wojciech Holub, was no surprise given the events of the days before.
              Wojciech (pictured below) spent time listening to the crew and providing them with data sims so they could contact loved ones. 
              Despite their ordeal, the crew carried on working to berth the ship at the port of Tilbury with the ensuing investigation adding to the toll of this event.
              Wojciech and a colleague gave the crew Christmas presents and will ensure that when the ship sails the Stella Maris port chaplain in the next port will visit the ship to see how the crew are.
             
              Prayers were also offered. 
              AoS national director, Martin Foley said, "The stresses these seafarers faced were enormous, given the many visits our port chaplains have made to this ship in different ports around the world, I’m sure their support at this time will have been vital in dealing with this event."
              Each year Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) visits over 70,000 ships around the world providing welfare services for seafarers; during 2018 they have supported crew of over 70 vessels in trauma situations.

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At the beginning of 2019, global seafarers’ charity, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) says that supporting seafarers in hospital remains a vital part of its work during one of the most stressful times a seafarer can face. 
              At the end of 2018 the charity had been supporting seafarers in hospital in California, USA and Cape Town, South Africa. 
              In late November, an Indian seafarer was transferred from his ship at anchorage off the coast of California to a Santa Barbara, California hospital. 
              Fr Freddie Chua, the Stella Maris Los Angeles/Long Beach port chaplain, at the request of the P&I club visited regularly this seafarer in hospital during the month of December. 
              He also visited the ship when it docked in Long Beach, California and kept the Captain and its crew updated with the seafarer’s progress once the vessel had sailed. 
              Stella Maris North America and the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Deacon Paul Rosenblum, said, “Being hospitalised in a foreign country, is one of the most stressful incidents that can happen to a seafarer. “So it’s vital that we’re there to support them with regular visits, helping them to contact their family and also to support their crewmates in ports around the world through our global network of port chaplains.” 

              In Cape Town, the Stella Maris team is supporting a Catholic fisherman who lost four of his toes in an accident on board his vessel. 
              In addition to emotional support, the charity has sought emergency funds to ensure his living conditions are as good as possible following his discharge from hospital. 
              Whilst in hospital Stella Maris also supplied him with a bible and rosary to support his faith at this time.
              In 2018 Stella Maris supported seafarers in cases of prolonged hospitalisation in locations as diverse as Cape Town, Hull, Mobile, Tema, Santander and Tilbury.

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Apostleship of the Sea, Stella Maris, began the year by answering a desperate call for help from the crew of a cargo ship, enabling them to carry on their journey to the Baltic States. 
             The crew on arrival in the Port of Grangemouth and were greeted by Deacon Joe O’Donnell, AoS’ Senior Regional Port Chaplain for Scotland. 
             A mixed crew of Filipino, Sri Lankan and Ukrainian seafarers, the first thing they requested on arriving in Scotland was some much-needed warm clothes while preparing for the next leg of their mammoth journey to the Baltics. 
             On hearing their appeal, Joe quickly set about supplying the crew with their winter essentials in the form of jackets and hats which were received with heartfelt thanks. 
             A young Filipino member of the crew who hasn’t seen his family for four months and doesn’t anticipate returning home until July, expressed his gratitude for the charity’s swift assistance in coming to the aid of those desperately in need. 

             He said, “We are so grateful to Apostleship of the Sea. We really did need some new clothes. It can be such a huge culture shock coming from a warmer climate like we do and then into much colder weather, especially when you’re not prepared for it and don’t have the right sort of clothing. 
             “We know the temperature will take a turn for the worse when we go to the Baltic States, so this is like a belated Christmas present for all of us on board the ship. Thanks to the Joe’s help, we are able to set sail knowing we are far-better kitted out for what lies ahead. 
             “It’s hard enough being away from our families for such a long time without having to endure extra hardship. Now we know that we are kitted out to survive and we will never forget our visit to Scotland and the generosity of this wonderful charity.” 
             
             Port Chaplain Joe, who is a regular visitor to Grangemouth where he greets seafarers from all over the world, told how he instantly knew the foreign crew were needing immediate assistance. 
             Joe said, “It struck me that some of their clothes were badly in need of replacing. That was obvious straight away because there were holes in their jumpers, for example. It was a case of just doing the right thing and helping out as best we can under the circumstances. 
             “It’s quite something to think that, in this day and age, some people so far away from home are working extremely hard for their families, still don’t always have the essentials to help them deal with the elements. It’s a pleasure to assist and we wish the crew a safe journey on their way to the Baltics.” 
             Meanwhile, AoS are busy within the parishes and are preparing to do a Sea Sunday appeal in St Ninian’s, Knightswood in Glasgow on the weekend of 26/27 January.

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Our Southampton port chaplains Fr John Lavers and Peter Morgan and ship visitors were delighted to welcome our Vice Chair of Trustees Dr Esteban Pacha a couple of days ago, who joined them in their ship visits to see how we support seafarers and be a friend in port.
              Dr Esteban was a former ship's captain himself and said of his visit, "It was a great experience to get back on board during the on-the-field visit to our port chaplains and ship visitors in Southampton."
              Coincidentally the Swedish captain on one of the ships shares the same name – Sfefan!

Dr Esteban, third from left, with Fr John, as seafarer and AoS Southampton ship visitor

More photos can be seen on our Facebook here.  

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Stella Maris, Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) in Tees Port responded to an urgent request for Mass on board a ship after one of its crew members received bad news from home.
              AoS ship visitors Hugh and Mary Ward visited a ship, the Eco Nemesis, in December, and were received by the Captain who asked for Mass to be held on board the next morning. 
              Hugh and Mary rang AoS Tees Port Chaplain Deacon Peter Barrigan, who managed to contact Fr James Angus of St. Patrick's Hartlepool who had just got home from his day off.
              Peter explained the seriousness of the situation and Fr James agreed to come along and celebrate the Mass for the crew.
              By 10 o'clock the next morning they were on board the ship and set up for Mass. 
              The Captain told Peter and his team that it was the first time in 20 years at sea that he had had Mass on board a ship.

              He also sent AoS a grateful email of thanks. The Captain wrote, “It is our pleasure onboard to received and having this Holy Mass specially here in our ship, we feel the Kingdom of our Almighty God that day from heaven that you came to us not only to visited us but we meet and greet each other that would be nice and great for both of us." 
              He said, "You are all really true loving kind persons to all of us Seafarer onboard…"On behalf of Officers and Crew of Eco Nemesis, we gave thanks for your presence and kindness, we really appreciated your great effort and your boundless commitment specially for us seafarers.” 
              Twelve days after the Mass the ship was back in North Tees, so Hugh and Mary visited the crew again. The atmosphere on board was much improved. 
              Hugh said, “We visited a very happy vessel and had a great hour with the crew. The master was pleased to see us. Eight crew members were in the mess room. So jovial, I called them cheeky, which had the Master and crew in bits. The Master repeatedly thanked us for the Mass."

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Stakeholders in the shipping industry need to work more closely with Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea to ensure seafarers get the right support and help when they need it the most. 
             “By working increasingly with partners in the industry, including ship managers, owners, P&I clubs and flag states, we believe we can serve seafarers better around the world,” Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea National Director Martin Foley said. 
             “Together, we can improve welfare through regular ship visits, and help seafarers through what may be the most difficult times of their lives,” he said at a reception organised by Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea in the UK Parliament on January 16. 
             Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea Vice Chair of Trustees Capt. Esteban Pacha welcomed the UK Shipping Minister Nusrat Ghani, International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim, Members of Parliament and shipping executives to the event and launched the Life at Sea 2018 Report: Working Together in Times of Crisis.

Kitack Lim, Nusrat Ghani MP, Capt Esteban Pacha and Martin Foley. Photo: Sophie Stanes
 
             “During my time at sea I have always had the opportunity to experience first-hand the difference that Stella Maris chaplains and ship visitors make every day to seafarers providing a home away from home,” Capt. Pacha said. 
             He referred to the international strategy recently adopted by the Board of Trustees that "will enable reaching out and support even more those men and women crewing our ships, on whom we all depend so much, aiming to expand further the Stella Maris global network and services to address their needs, their safety and their wellbeing.” 
             Capt. Pacha also reiterated Stella Maris’ commitment to join efforts with national and international regulators and other interested stakeholders to develop better human element policies in the maritime sector. 
             Foley said the report showed that having a ‘friend in port’ is still vitally important for seafarers, even in our technological age. He said, “Face-to-face contact is unique and irreplaceable, and Apostleship of the Sea’s commitment to routine visiting can help alleviate loneliness and mental health problems in seafarers.
             “We are able to provide practical, emotional and pastoral care to seafarers when tragedy strikes, acting as a dependable, trusted friend in times of crisis,” he added. 

Photo: Sophie Stanes
 
             Shipping Minister Ghani welcomed the launch of the report and in her address said that Apostleship of the Sea’s port chaplains provide pastoral and practical care to all seafarers regardless of nationality race or creed. 
             “There are many mixed crews of different nationalities and faiths and the fact that the chaplains provide that succour and support regardless of where they’re from is absolutely unique in the work you do, so thank you so much. 
             She added, “As friend, advisor and confidante, I know that seafarers trust the chaplains implicitly to support them even when the seafarer is no longer in port no matter what the circumstances.” 
             Ms Ghani said the UK had done a lot to ensure that the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers are protected and that all seafarers enjoy the high standards of employment they deserve.
             “However, when regulation is not possible or not effective, the mariner will always know that the chaplain will always be there. I thank the Apostleship of the Sea for all the work they do.” 
             In his speech, IMO Secretary-General Lim highlighted how seafaring is still a vital profession and stressed the importance of caring for seafarers’ welfare and wellbeing.
             "I speak from the heart when I say how much I appreciate the work that Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea does.” Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea provides the largest ship visiting network in the world."

JJ Shiundu and William Azuh (AoS Trustee) with Lim Kitack. Photo: Sophie Stanes

             It’s 227 port chaplains cover 334 ports in 59 countries and visit 70,000 ships a year. In Great Britain, Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea has 20 port chaplains covering 61 ports who visit more than 10,000 ships a year. 
             Around the world, Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea receives an average of two requests for help every week, half of which come from industry partners, including ship owners and managers and P&I clubs. 
             Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s Life at Sea Report looks at how ship visiting and pastoral care for crews continue to remain vital. It illustrates cases of seafarer abandonment, non-payment of wages, stress and mental health problems, bullying and harassment, medical emergencies, and refusal of shore leave. 

Report highlights:

• Having a ‘friend in port’ is still vitally important for seafarers, even in our technological age. Face-to-face contact is unique and irreplaceable, and Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s commitment to routine ship visiting can help alleviate loneliness and mental health problems in seafarers.

• Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea can provide practical, emotional and pastoral care to seafarers when tragedy strikes, acting as a dependable, trusted friend in times of crisis.

• Mental health programmes have been developed to address loneliness and boredom. But often, simply talking to Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s chaplains can make all the difference, by letting seafarers know they are not forgotten.

• Assault and bullying at sea is a reality for many seafarers.

• Piracy, and the threat of piracy can have a lasting effect on seafarers’ wellbeing and mental health. Swift intervention is essential to minimise the impact of a pirate attach so seafarers can return to work with confidence.

• Every year, more than 1,000 of Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s chaplains and volunteers in 334 ports around the world visit over 70,000 ships.

To download the report, go here. Or click the image below.

More photos on our Flickr site here.

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Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has launched a new version of its global port chaplains’ directory which helps seafarers get access to pastoral, practical and spiritual support wherever they are in the world. 
              The Port Chaplain Directory 2019 lists phone numbers and email addresses of the charity’s 227 chaplains in 334 ports across 59 countries.
              It also highlights the ports in which Stella Maris Seafarers’ Centres are located; these centres provide a space where seafarers can go to relax, pray, contact family, socialise, and speak to a chaplain away from the environment of their ships. 
              AoS National Director Martin Foley said, “Even in our digital age, seafarers still value having a friend in port. As our recently-launched Life at Sea Report shows, face-to-face contact is unique and irreplaceable.” 
              He added, “We are able to provide pastoral, practical and spiritual care to seafarers when tragedy strikes, acting as a dependable, trusted friend in times of crisis.” 
         

              AoS Development Director John Green said, “We have chaplains in most of the world’s ports. The Directory enables our network of chaplains to provide holistic care for seafarers in port after port worldwide and gives seafarers a tool to get quick and easy access to assistance and advice.”
              “Providing up to date and accurate details of all our chaplains is a valuable resource both for seafarers and stakeholders in the maritime industry such as P&I clubs, shipping agents and port officials,” he added. 
              The range of support offered by AoS includes counselling and befriending, taking seafarers to church, visiting them in hospital, transporting them to local shops and facilities and providing means of communicating with family and friends. 
              Copies of the Directory have been sent out to AoS chaplains globally for distribution to seafarers and ships. The Directory can be downloaded by clicking here.    
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Apostleship of the Sea were humbled by the generosity of parishioners from St John the Baptist Church, Barrhead, Scotland recently as Sea Sunday raised a wonderful total of £1,108. 
              Euan McArthur, Scottish Development Officer, and volunteer John Hood covered all four Masses in the Paisley Diocese parish and were given a warm welcome by Fr. Joseph Burke and all who attended over the course of the weekend. 
              A native of Inverclyde, Fr Burke praised the work of AoS and reminded parishioners that much of their everyday goods arrive in this country by sea. 
              He said, “Coming from Greenock, I know the importance of seafarers and shipping to our overall economy. We are very happy to support this tremendous charity and the excellent work they do in supporting those who work for a living at sea.” 
              Euan said, “We would like to thank Fr Burke and all the parishioners at St John’s very much for their generosity. It is greatly appreciated.”
Read more about our Sea Sunday celebrations here.

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North Tees Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) ship visitors Mary and Hugh Ward were on a routine visit on board the ship Eco Universe when they received a request from the crew for three bicycles. 
              The seafarers needed the bikes to get ashore and to local facilities in their next port of call. The crew also reckoned that cycling would help them keep fit. 
              So they immediately contacted another AoS Tees ship visitor, Jimmy Ross, who is the fount of all knowledge when it comes to getting ‘bargains’ for seafarers.
              The three headed to a local charity that repairs bikes and sells them at very reasonable rates. Three bikes were purchased and promptly delivered to the ship.
              The next day the ship’s master, Captain Grubat, sent Mary an email saying, “Dear Mary, many thanks for your very kind assistance including Hugh and Jim. At last we have now 3 bicycles onboard to use for touring port city places and for physical fitness as well.
              "Thank you very much once again and God bless you and your families! Best regards, Capt. Grubat."

Jimmy Ross with Capt Grubat and a crew member of the ship with their 'new' bikes.
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