flying angel news spring 2012

Titanic: Still caring for seafarers 100 years on

Flying Angel News

News from The Mission to Seafarers | Spring 2012 | Issue 4

• Mission leads Titanic memorial service

• Flying Angel Ride backed by industry

• Stranded seafarers reach home at last

• Geoff and June welcome lonely crews

• Join us for Sea Sunday 2012

• Stephen Miller on MtS Hong Kong

IN THISISSUE

Caring for seafarers around the world

Charity numbers: 212432 / SC039211

President: HRH The Princess RoyalChairman: Robert Woods CBE Secretary General: The Revd Tom Heffer

St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL

Tel: +44 (0)20 7248 5202 Fax: +44 (0)20 7248 4761

Email: [email protected] Website: www.missiontoseafarers.org

Founded in 1856 and entirely funded by voluntary donations, the Mission to Seafarers offers emergency assistance, practical support, and a friendly welcome to crews visiting 250 ports around the world.

Whether caring for victims of piracy or providing a lifeline to those stranded in foreign ports, we are there for the globe’s 1.2 million

merchant seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs.



Flying Angel News is published by The Mission to Seafarers

In the UK, The Mission to Seafarers is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number: 6220240, registered charity no: 1123613. The Mission to Seafarers Scotland Limited is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland, number: 389483, registered charity in

Scotland: SCO41938. Registered office: 109 Avalon Gardens, Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7PL.

27th May Flying Angel Ride Our popular bike ride returns with 35- and 75-mile routes through the New Forest.

25th June Day of the Seafarer Hold a street collection in your local area to celebrate this special day.

8th July Sea Sunday Remember seafarers around the world with a Sea Sunday service and activities at your church. For an info pack or to request a speaker, contact Nicky Jackson on 07500 333190.

3rd Sept Merchant Navy Day

27th Sept World Maritime Day

27th Sept MtS Annual Service Service held at St Michael Paternoster Royal, followed by lunch at the Worshipful Company of Skinners.

10th Oct Annual National Service for Seafarers Service held at St Paul’s Cathedral, with a reception hosted by MtS.

Dec The 12 Gifts of Christmas Choose a virtual gift for a seafarer.

12th Dec A Festival of Nine Lessons & CarolsService held at St Michael Paternoster Royal, followed by a reception at the Worshipful Company of Skinners.

For more info about any of these events, contact uson 020 7248 5202 or at [email protected]

Diary dates

27 May 2012

Corporate sponsors:

Post-eventcelebration sponsor:

f ying langel ride

join us for the

www.missiontoseafarers.org/far2012

Register now: To sign up for your place follow the link above, scan the QR code or fill out and return the form on p13. For info call Katherine on 020 7246 2939 or email: [email protected]

Calling all cyclists!There’s still time to sign up for the Flying Angel Ride!

• 35- or 75-mile cycling event in the New Forest.

• Great prizes for top fundraisers – including a Brompton folding bike!

• Energy snacks and water throughout the day

• A goody bag and medal for all riders

• The chance to raise funds for a great cause.

Contents

A warm welcome to this Spring issue of Flying Angel News.

The dangers of life at sea have been much in the media spotlight in recent months, but to the Mission the perils of a career on the ocean wave are not new. For more than 150 years, our chaplains have been at the forefront of emergency welfare services in ports around the world, ready to respond to any crisis with practical help, spiritual solace and a listening ear.

On page 4 you’ll read about how, in 1912, our chaplain in Southampton prayed with the Titanic’s crew before the great ship set sail, and how the city’s Mission supported local families in the aftermath of the disaster. Page 10 gives a snapshot of some of the many ways in which our staff around the world are called on to assist seafarers in need today, 100 years later.

We couldn’t maintain this global network of assistance without our wonderful supporters, whose compassion and generosity give hope and help to seafarers when they need it most. You help keep the Mission’s message alive through fundraising and community events, church activities, and donations.

This year we will be celebrating Sea Sunday on 8th July, and I hope you will join us in saying ‘thank you’ to seafarers for the hardships they endure to bring us the goods we rely on. To find out more about the day and download our 2012 resource packs, go to www.seasunday.org. We will also be marking the International Day of the Seafarer with events and activities on 25th June, or for those who are particularly energetic, there are still a few places left on our fantastic Flying Angel Cycle Ride on 27th May – you can find out more at: www.missiontoseafarers.org/far2012!

In this issue you’ll also read about some of the exciting new partnerships we’re developing with organisations across the maritime sector. Amidst the cutting-edge technology of the modern shipping industry and the pressure to deliver on time and on budget, the 1.2 million merchant seafarers whose hard work day in, day out, makes them the lifeblood of global trade can often be overlooked.

Through our corporate programme, we are giving shipping organisations the opportunity to contribute to the welfare of crews around the world via initiatives such as sponsoring Mission services in a particular port, funding new facilities, or supporting our events. It’s a really exciting time for us, and we can’t wait to tell you more about developments over the coming months.

With my prayers and best wishes,

In this issue...Titanic: 100 years onArchives have revealed how The Mission to Seafarers provided a ministry of care and support to the crew and survivors of the Titanic.

Home at lastRomanian seafarers George and Florin are reunited with their families after five months stranded in Falmouth with no pay.

2012 events calendar Our fantastic challenge events help you get in shape while raising much-needed funds for the Mission.

Mission news 2

Fundraising news 6

Ports around the world 10

Piracy update 12

Interview with... 13

8

4

3

www.missiontoseafarers.org 0300 555 1505

Join us for Sea Sunday

Help us say ‘thank you’ to seafarers on Sunday 8th July 2012.

12

The Revd Tom Heffer

Secretary General

From the

We are delighted to announce that this year’s Flying Angel Ride will be sponsored by independent assurance group Lloyd’s Register and ship management

company V.Ships, with the post-event celebration being sponsored by The Maersk Company. This generous corporate support means that every penny participants raise will go directly towards supporting the Mission’s work in ports around the world.

The Mission’s flagship cycling event will see around 100 participants cycle a 35- or 75-mile route through the scenic New Forest on Sunday 27th May 2012. Beginning in the leafy village of Brockenhurst, riders will follow a 75-mile route through picturesque countryside, including Beaulieu, Fordingbridge and Hyde.

If you would like to take part, it’s not too late to sign up! Incentives for fundraisers include a branded water bottle for those reaching the minimum target, while those raising £250 or more will receive a commemorative cycling jersey, and the top fundraiser will win a Brompton folding bike!

Registration costs just £25. We also ask participants to raise a minimum of £175 in sponsorship – all of which will go towards helping us continue to provide vital services to seafarers. To register, fill out the form on p13, or go to: www.missiontoseafarers.org/far2012. For more info, contact Katherine on 020 7246 2939 or at: [email protected].

Mission newsTitanic centenary cruise helps modern seafarers worldwide

Aqaba gets new communications centre

2 Flying Angel News | The Magazine of The Mission to Seafarers | Spring 2012 | Issue 4

Mission to Seafarers director of chaplaincy, the Revd Canon Huw Mosford, leads the Titanic memorial service on board the Balmoral.

The Mission to Seafarers was honoured to be chosen as the official charity partner for the Titanic Memorial Cruise.

The first ever cruise to follow the Titanic’s route from Europe to America, the trip was designed to mark the centenary of the famous maritime disaster, with guests including historians, authors and relatives of those who lost their lives on the ship.

The Revd Canon Huw Mosford, the Mission’s director of chaplaincy, led a special ceremony on board the ship in memory of all those who died. The service was held at the exact site where the Titanic sank, at 11.40pm on 15 April 2012, to coincide with the moment when the ship struck an iceberg 100 years before.

“The story of Titanic is one of the greatest maritime disasters in human history,” said Huw, who also led descendants of the lost in a wreath-laying ceremony. “For many of the passengers on board, there will be a strong family connection and so for them, especially, it will be an opportunity to remember their loved ones who are no longer with us and to pray for peace.”

Miles Morgan, managing director, The Titanic Memorial Cruise, said: “People from all over the world were on board the Titanic so we wanted to find a maritime charity partner who works globally to reflect the fact that the disaster touched so many different nations.” Memorial cruise ship The Balmoral carried 1,309 guests – exactly the same number that sailed on the Titanic.

In 1912, the Mission to Seafarers had a close connection with the Titanic. On the morning that the ‘unsinkable’ ship sailed, the Mission’s chaplain and lay reader in Southampton were among the last to come ashore, having spent the morning ‘in quiet talks’ and prayer with members of the ship’s 900 crew, many of whom would shortly go down with their ship.

Lloyd’s Register, V.Ships and The Maersk Company support MtS

In January, the Mission opened a much-needed internet café at the Aqaba Container Terminal, Jordan, to enable visiting seafarers to maintain better contact with their

friends and families. The facility hosts four PCs with internet capability, five prepaid phones and a wifi facility, as well as a small shop. It is air conditioned, and has a sound isolating system to provide a peaceful, quiet environment for users.



3

May 27th: Flying Angel Ride - this popular bike ride returns for 2012 with a new 75 (or 35) mile route through the New Forest. 27th: Bupa 10,000 Run - Enjoy London in springtime with a 10k run. Do it in under 38 mins and you could win £2,000!

June 25th: Annual Day of the Seafarer - hold a street collection in your local area to celebrate this special day.

actionfor the Mission to Seafarers

spring into

July 8th: British 10k Run - run along part of the Olympic course to celebrate the London 2012 Games. 8th: Sea Sunday – remember seafarers around the world with a special Sea Sunday service at your church. To find out more go to: www.seasunday.org.

August DIY events - celebrate summertime by organising a music event. How about a shanty band gig?

September 5-9th: London to Paris Ride - ever wanted to cycle up the Champs Elysée or wheelie past the Eiffel Tower? Now you can!16th: London to Brighton Ride - cycle over 50 miles from the UK capital to Brighton’s historic seafront. 27th: World Maritime Day - why not throw a party and ‘rock around the dock’ for the Mission to Seafarers?

October 11th - 21st: Kilimanjaro Trek - achieve something amazing when you trek to the top of this famous African mountain.

November 1st -10th: Machu Picchu Trek - 100 years on from when Hiram Bingham first laid eyes on its wonders, you can too with this incredible trek.

December The Twelve Gifts of Christmas - Buy a virtual gift for a seafarer this Christmas.

To find out more about any of our events, contact Katherine Wylie on 0207 246 2939, or by email at: [email protected]

How we will support you We really appreciate the time and effort you are giving us, so will return the favour by making sure you have everything you need for a successful and enjoyable time. As well as providing you with a fundraising pack and a training schedule, there will be a dedicated member of our fundraising team to respond to all your queries.

www.missiontoseafarers.org/events

For the Revd John France, port chaplain for the Missions to Seamen, the morning of Titanic’s departure was like any

other day of visiting the ships at Southampton. Just as Mission chaplains do today, France befriended the visiting crews, offering help and support and transporting weary mariners to the seafarers’ centre where they could reconnect with life on land. He would take the Mission’s launch out to the ships anchored in Southampton Water and ferry them back to the centre where they could relax and play games. Others would enjoy a meal from the coffee lounge, whilst their shipmates gathered in the chapel for quiet prayer. That year over 10,000 seafarers would visit the centre and over 5,000 letters would be sent and received.

“Among the firemen, especially, we had a great many friends,” he wrote in his port report for the year. “Many of the seafarers came to us the night before she sailed, thanking us for what the Mission had been able to do for them and some of them said: ‘we’re off on the big ship tomorrow. We’ll trouble you no more!’”

For 33-year-old Able Seamen Joseph Scarrott, travelling on the ‘big ’un’ was to be the adventure of a lifetime. He later wrote: “I had the opportunity to inspect the ship from stern to stern. This I did, especially the crews’ quarters, and I must say that she was the finest ship I had ever seen.”

Unlike today when seafarers find themselves locked into year-long contracts, in those days there was no such thing as a permanent crew. Apart from the officers, who were directly employed by the White Star Line, the rest of the Titanic’s company were required to sign on for each voyage as opportunity permitted. An army of local stokers, coalies, stewards, firemen,

trimmers and greasers was drafted in from the deprived parishes of St Mary’s, Northam and Chapel. Families in these areas had faced months of poverty owing to the coal strike of the same year, which had forced many shipping companies to cancel sailings leaving men hungry and homeless. Each day hundreds of local seafarers would turn up at the Mission’s seafarers’ centre as it was the only place many of them could find food and shelter.

“For several weeks we had crowds of men – up to a hundred each day – to whom we gave a meal and lodging for the night,” wrote France. “Many, after weary weeks of waiting, shipped at last on the Titanic and great was their delight.”

By 1912, the Missions to Seamen was celebrating half a century of working in the port of Southampton. France was into his second year as chaplain after a decade of serving seafarers in the port of Hong Kong. On the morning Titanic sailed, the chaplain left the centre armed with literature and information for the departing crew. Ably assisted by his ship visitor, the two men went on board to bid farewell to the men they had helped.

“We came ashore only when the bell warned us that we might stay no longer,” said France. “Into each of the forty rooms in which her crew were housed, a parcel of wholesome and interesting literature had been taken. Here and there little groups of men who were disengaged gathered together and heads were uncovered whilst a few verses of Scripture were read and simply explained.”

A triumphant fanfare met Titanic as she slipped away from her berth, down Southampton Water and out into the English Channel. The light breeze caught the bunting that had been hung over her signature funnels between the two state-of-the-art

Titanic: 100 years on

Archives have revealed how The Mission to Seafarers provided a ministry of care and support to the crew and survivors of the Titanic. 100 years on, our chaplains still care for seafarers in need around the world.


telegraph poles. This ‘ship of dreams’ was away on her maiden voyage carrying the hopes and dreams of a generation.

But darkness was on the face of the deep. On Sunday, April 14, Titanic was making good progress and

was three days away from reaching her destination of New York. As is customary when a ship is at sea on the Sabbath, the Master of the vessel led divine service in the first class dining room using the White Star Line’s own prayer book. The first class passenger list read like a Who’s Who of Edwardian Society. Wealthy businessmen and politicians sat alongside actresses and landowners. In the second class section of the ship, Second Purser Reginald Barker followed the more traditional Church of England format, with the passengers heartily joining in with the hymns, blissfully unaware of the tragedy that would befall them in the stillness of the night.

“Everybody was in good spirits and everything throughout the ship was going smoothly,” Able Seaman Joseph Scarrott later wrote. “All of a sudden [Titanic] crashed into an iceberg which shook the giant liner from stem to stern.” As panic set in, the order was given to uncover the lifeboats and women and children

poured onto them. Scarrott was put in charge of a lifeboat which contained 66 terrified passengers – women, children, stewards, a sailor, two firemen and one officer. They rowed clear to avoid being sucked under water as the ship went down.

“The lights were burning right up till she broke in two,” wrote Scarrott. “The cries from the poor souls struggling in the water sounded terrible in the stillness of the night. As we left that awful scene we gave way to tears. It was enough to break the stoutest heart.” Two hours and forty minutes after the initial impact, Titanic sank, with the loss of 1,503 people.

Back in Southampton, the first that residents of Northam and Chapel heard of the incident was through the local newsboys of the Southampton Echo who ran through the streets shouting “Titanic! Sunk!” Crowds of people gathered outside the White Star Line’s offices, many in disbelief that the ship they had been told could not sink had foundered in such spectacular fashion.

As news filtered through and the full extent of the tragedy became clear, France opened the doors to the seafarers’ centre and families and widows affected sought comfort and support. At the parish church of St Mary’s, the rector reported 61 cases arising from the loss. Families who had been praying for safe passage the previous Sunday were suddenly not coming back. A hush descended over the city. The people of Southampton had taken Titanic to their hearts and its loss was keenly felt.

In the same way that chaplains visit families of bereaved seafarers today, France and his team set about the distressing task of ministering to those left behind. Some of the families had not heard the news of their loved ones and so it was left to the young clergyman to tell them. “We have had many sad and harrowing experiences,” he wrote. “A father-less mite stretched out his little hands to me with the natural baby cry ‘Dadda! Dadda! I looked at his poor mother whose eyes filled with tears as she turned away.” Overnight, housewives had lost husbands and sons. They were distraught and destitute. In one local primary school, 150 children were left orphaned by the disaster.

One hundred years on, and thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, the Mission is still ministering to seafarers experiencing the difficulties of life at sea. Mercifully, since the Titanic met its fate, the world of sea safety has advanced considerably. From providing post-trauma counselling to victims of piracy, to connecting seafarers with home after months away, the work of The Mission to Seafarers continues in 250 ports around the world because the need for our services is as great as ever. As France himself noted: “Whatever the message of this calamity was to others, it speaks to us with insistent voice, bidding us to be instant in season – because life is so uncertain.”

By Ben Bailey.

Left: RMS Titanic departing Southampton. This page, from top: The motor launch used by Revd France to ferry seafarers; the Southampton Seamen’s Institute in 1912; MtS Southampton chaplain the Revd Andrew Huckett visits ships today.

5 www.missiontoseafarers.org @flyingangelnews www.facebook.com/themissiontoseafarers0300 555 1505

Seafarers transport more than 95% of the food and goods we use every day, and yet these 1.2 million

hardworking men and women are often forgotten. On Sea Sunday, churches around the world

remember seafarers and pray for them, their families and those who support them. As well as fundraising to help those who work at sea, the day is celebrated with services, parades and ship blessings.

Our theme for this year’s Sea Sunday is isolation. Away from family and friends for many months at a time, in multinational crews with others who may not speak the same language, working long hours and navigating some of the world’s most dangerous oceans, seafaring can be a tough, lonely and hazardous career. MtS chaplains provide a vital link to home, with phone cards, internet access, a friendly face and the warm hand of friendship.

To download a Sea Sunday pack, including sermon notes, a family service and children’s activities, go to: www.seasunday.org. For more information or to request a speaker, contact Nicky Jackson on 07500 333190 or by email: [email protected].

Celebrate Sea Sunday wherever you areSt Hubert’s Church in Hampshire, known as ‘the little church in the field’, has been supporting Sea Sunday since 2003. So you don’t need to be on the coast to remember seafarers and all they do for us!

Tell us what you’ve got planned!We’ll be keeping our website and Facebook page updated with news from Sea Sunday events around the world. If you’re holding an event to mark the day, please tell us all about it by sending pictures and info to: [email protected]

A big thank you to Joe Clark, who has been raising money for us through the sale of a remarkable

series of maritime DVDs. Joe Clark’s Personal A to Z of Ocean liners and Cruise Ships takes the viewer on a journey from the 1920s to today, featuring footage of over 240 ships, much never previously published. To find out more, go to www.joeclarkfilms.com

Joe’s A-Z of ships helps MtS

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who

has so far joined our recycling scheme. Having launched it in February, we have already received requests for 1,500 envelopes to send back used mobile phones, and inkjet printer cartridges, which is fantastic!

This is an ongoing initiative, so if you still have an old mobile or printer cartridge gathering dust at home, it’s not too late to send it in and help us raise funds for seafarers. Empty cartridges can raise up to £5 each, and old mobile phones can generate up to £24. We can send you a Freepost envelope or arrange for a collection point box or sack to be delivered to your church or place of work. For further information contact Nicky Jackson on 07500 333190 or email [email protected]

Fundraising news


Fundraise for the Mission!We need your help! Could you organise a coffee

morning, quiz night, church fete or local cinema night in aid of The Mission to Seafarers?

These events can be a really enjoyable way to get people together, have fun, and raise funds for seafarers at the same time. We can offer tips, advice and resources to help ensure your event is a huge success.

If you’d like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you. Call Nicky on 07500 333190 or email: [email protected]

Will your church support Sea Sunday?Huge response to our recycling scheme

St Huberts Church, Hampshire

Community news

25th June 2012 is the Day of the Seafarer, when people worldwide show their appreciation for the men and women who risk danger and hardship to maintain international trade, often at great cost to themselves and their families.

We’re asking people to mark the day by holding a fundrais-ing event to support seafarers’ welfare. It can be as big or as small you like: you could ask everyone in your office to dress in a nautical theme for the day and make a small donation. You could bake cakes and sell them at work, at church or at school. You could set up a jumble sale or second hand book stall at your office or community centre.

The possibilities are endless – the only limit is your imagination! To request a fundraising pack that’s bursting with ideas, contact Nicky Jackson on 07500 333190 or email [email protected].

Shout about it! We also want people to tell their communities about their events and highlight the vital role of seafarers through local newspapers, websites and radio. If you need help or advice about how to contact press in your area, get in touch with us. And when you get coverage for your activities, please let us know so that we can share it with supporters around the world.

Partnerships

We were delighted to host the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association UK (WISTA-UK) annual

debate on the 19th March, which celebrated International Women’s Day with a discussion about ship recycling.

The debate saw Ingvild Jenssen, Director of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, and Dr. Nikos Mikelis, Head of the Marine Pollution Prevention and Ship Recycling Section at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), present arguments for and against the motion that ‘The Hong Kong Convention offers the only enforceable regulatory regime for ship recycling’. Paul Gunton, Executive Editor of IHS Fairplay, chaired the lively debate, and additional views were provided by panel members Jim Davis, Chairman of the International Maritime Industries Forum and WISTA-UK Ambassador and Katy Ware, UK Permanent Representative to the IMO.

Ship recycling is currently concentrated in developing countries due to lower labour costs, less stringent regulations around the disposal of toxic substances, and high demand for recyclable materials and equipment from end-of-life ships. However, concerns have been raised about workers’ health and safety, and environmental damage. The Hong Kong Convention was adopted by member states of the IMO to address these issues among others.

After a lively discussion, attendees voted in favour of the motion. The MtS would like to thank members, speakers, the panel and guests for the lively and informative debate. We look forward to working with WISTA-UK on future events.

A donation from BP Shipping has funded vital improvements to facilities at our seafarers’ centre in New Mangalore, India. The Mission’s director of chaplaincy

the Revd Canon Huw Mosford, who visited the newly refurbished centre in February, said, “I was delighted to witness the enhancement of the centre with the new facilities. The recreational facilities, an up-to-date satellite TV, as well as the new shop and kitchen will be of great benefit to the 400 seafarers that visit Mangalore each month.”

Huw was joined by BP Shipping’s Raju Viswanatha Harihan, who was impressed by the new facilities: “It is good to see that the money given by BP Shipping has been spent usefully and will enhance the seafarers’ experience of the MtS centre. As a seafarer myself I know how important it is to have a home from home; the MtS centre in New Mangalore certainly provides this.”

The Mission would like to thank BP Shipping for its support. To find out how your company could work with us, contact Tara Fox, head of corporate partnerships, on 020 7246 2980 or by email: [email protected]

BP Shipping helps New Mangalore centre

St Michael Paternoster Royal hosts WISTA annual debate The Day of the Seafarer

7 www.missiontoseafarers.org @flyingangelnews www.facebook.com/themissiontoseafarers0300 555 1505

There are no screams of joy as she sets eyes on the son she hasn’t seen for four months – just a mother’s sigh of relief that her child has come home. She kisses him on both cheeks and utters one word which needs no translation: “Amen”.

In the morning, Elizabetha and Florin sit and look through the local media coverage their situation has caused and Florin explains the work the Mission has done in helping him and George. “The last few months have been terrible,” says Elizabetha. “I am a pensioner and it is difficult living on my own. None of my children live in Romania as there is no work here. I had no one to talk to about this problem.

The apartment is one long corridor, off which are several doors leading to a couple of bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and a small lounge, which is clearly their ‘best’ room. A giant floral rug covers the exposed floorboards, on which sit a couple of easy chairs and a large cabinet. “This is my house,” says Florin as he glances around. He breathes out deeply and his eyes well-up as he realises that he’s finally home.

Before I left for Romania, the Mission’s director of justice and welfare agreed that both families should be awarded an

In December, MtS assisted two seafarers who had been working on board a ship laid up in the River Fal. Florin and George had

travelled to Britain from Romania to work as watchkeepers. But four months into their contract they still hadn’t been paid and were forced to fish to supplement their food. Their families back home were also desperate. George’s wife had had her electricity and gas cut off, while Florin’s elderly mother was struggling to get by on a small pension. In Falmouth, the local MtS supported the men as they fought for their wages. When the time came for them to return home to wait for news, I went with them to see the conditions their families faced, and to find out what more could be done. It turned out that the Mission to Seafarers was exactly the lifeline they needed...

The road to the men’s hometown of Galati is long and straight. Smallholdings dot the way, and in the moonlight I

notice a farmer walking his livestock through the midnight air. The landscape appears flat and the sky is clear, dropping the temperature to a chilly -2°C. Florin and George have generously invited me to stay with them and not use a hotel (a sign of thanks, perhaps, for all the assistance MtS Falmouth has given).

After four hours, we reach the deserted streets of Galati, soon arriving at Florin’s block of flats. “This is Romania,” he says, “You have to be careful here: don’t look too rich.” Florin bangs loudly on the front door to the small apartment he shares with his mother. It feels like an age passes before the locks begin to turn. Then, the door swings open and standing in her housecoat is Elizabetha, a diminutive grey-haired woman with silver-framed spectacles.

“Thank you for bringing him home. Had the Mission not helped,

I would have had to beg to give the boys what they need.”

In our last issue, Ben Bailey wrote about George and Florin, two seafarers stranded in Falmouth with no pay. Here he reports on the men’s emotional reunion with their families.

Heading home at last


emergency grant to carry them through until their wages were paid. I hand Elizabetha an envelope containing the money and she smiles. Florin later explains that he doesn’t have a bank account. “When I come home, my mother gives me an allowance. Her sons only work to support her and to keep this house. We do it because it’s the right thing to do.”

I’m eager to see how the reunion went with George and his wife, as he hadn’t told her he was coming home. When I left him the night before, he looked tense and nervous about turning up unannounced. I say goodbye to Elizabetha and we walk the short journey to George’s. We cross a broken courtyard and are buzzed in to a similar looking block of flats as Florin’s. “Hello!” says George as he opens the door. He’s obviously not been to sleep yet – “Come in!” George’s flat is smaller than Florin’s, despite there being more people here. A psychedelic mix of colours adorns the wall because, according to him, “Everything on ship is grey and it makes it difficult to be happy. These colours help me to relax.”

“Thank you for bringing him home,” says his wife handing me a cup of coffee. “I miss him when he’s away but seafaring is his life and I accept that. If he didn’t work, we couldn’t eat. We have been married 15 years, but it doesn’t get any easier.” She shows me some family photos and explains that without George’s wage, she has been forced to take her youngest out of school and that food was so short she was relying on neighbours for handouts.“Had the Mission not helped, I would have had to beg to give the boys what they need.”

Suddenly, Michael, the younger of two sons, bursts into the lounge. He notices my camera and, for a split second, freezes. But, reassured by his father, he runs towards him and jumps on his lap. George wrestles with his son and embraces him warmly.

It turns out it’s Michael’s birthday in two days’ time. “Is Daddy the best present?” I ask. He looks towards his toy motorbike and thinks for a second. Then, with a cheeky grin he replies “yes!” and falls back on his father for another hug. “This morning I walked through the front door for the first time in four months,” said George. “My wife jumped into my arms and woke up the children. We haven’t slept and stayed up talking. Everyone is happy that I am home. They have missed me very much, as I have them. Today is a very happy day in my household.”

I hand George an envelope containing his maintenance grant and for a second, he doesn’t realise what I’ve given him. After it has sunk in, he chokes and his eyes fill with tears of relief. “Thank you,” he says – “You have no idea what this means for us. I can pay the debts that my family has accumulated and use the rest to give Michael a birthday and my family a Christmas. I cannot imagine how difficult it has been for them whilst I have been away, but by being home, I am able to put things right and that is only because of the Mission helping me.”

The long journey home gives me plenty of time to think about what MtS has achieved in reuniting and helping these families. Father Mark Mesley in Falmouth was instrumental in helping these seafarers find a safe haven when no one else cared. His weekly ship visits proved to be a lifesaver for the men as they work in horrific conditions and suffered the injustice of not being paid. Working closely with Penny Phillips and the justice and welfare team in London, the Flying Angel has once again proved it is ready to step up and meet the needs of seafarers when they need it most. Of course, none of it would be possible without the continuing support of the many donors who fund our work. You form the backbone of the Mission, and without you we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do. As George said, just before I left: “If it wasn’t for MtS we might still be on the ship.”

Main image: The stranded seafarers talk to MtS chaplain the Revd Mark Mesley. Above, from top: the Mission’s Flying Angel centre in Falmouth; Florin greets his mother; George hugs his wife and young sons.

Feature

9www.missiontoseafarers.org @flyingangelnews www.facebook.com/themissiontoseafarers0300 555 1505

When flash floods hit Queensland, Australia, all ships in port were ordered out to sea. During the evacuation,

one of the departing ships suffered a boiler ignition blast which severely burned three Chinese engineers. The men were airlifted to hospital for treatment, and spent weeks in induced comas undergoing emergency treatment, surgery and skin grafts.

Throughout this time the Mission made regular hospital visits, assisted medical staff with Mandarin translation and kept the seafarers’ worried families in China informed about their progress. It was some time before the seafarers were able to speak again due to windpipe burns, but all recovered from their injuries and after three months’ treatment were well enough to return home. MtS Brisbane president Dave Ellis said, “This is what the Mission is all about: assisting seafarers in need in a strange port under difficult circumstances.”

In February, our chaplain in Felixstowe received an urgent call to visit a

container vessel which was due to leave port in just three hours. On arrival, he was told by the captain that whilst at anchor in Greece, the ship’s second officer had accidentally fallen from the pilot’s ladder and later died of his injuries. The crew had docked in Spain but been unable to arrange for a priest to come on board due to language difficulties. By the time they reached Felixstowe, the 25 crew were fearful and still in shock. Geoff prayed with them, and the crew asked for themselves and the ship to be blessed.

Ports around the world

Brisbane: help for injured men

Visiting a cruise ship, chaplain Bruce Mitchell met a quiet young steward

who was being badly bullied by his supervisors. Ronald had gone to sea to support his family, but had not received a pay slip for three months and did not know whether money had been sent home. Despite making a formal complaint, he was threatened with dismissal. Bruce contacted the International Transport Workers’ Federation in Melbourne, the ship’s next destination, who visited the vessel to investigate. As a result, Ronald received his entitlements and fare home, and the ITF helped him find a new job.

Hobart: fighting bullying at sea


In February, temperatures in Antwerp dropped to below freezing, making

harsh conditions for seafarers arriving from warmer climes, many of whom were ill-equipped for the bitter weather. Chaplain John Attenborough visited one ship which had just arrived from China, to find it’s crew looking ”half frozen”. He dashed to his car and swiftly returned with woolly hats, scarves and gloves knitted by Mission volunteers: “Word quickly spread that I was on board and all of the crew came and took something from me with big beaming smiles! It is sometimes not the difficult things we do that make a difference.”

Antwerp: freezing February

Seafarers collect much-needed woolly hats, knitted by Mission volunteers, to see their crew through winter in Europe.

Our chaplains often report ministering to seafarers who are bereaved. Far from their families, with little support on board ship, they can be desperate to talk to someone.

Tuticorin: care for grieving fatherThe Revd Simon Dharmaraj brought

comfort to a grieving seafarer when he met him on a recent ship visit. The bereaved father’s 17-year-old son had died, and he was struggling to come to terms with the loss. Simon spent time in private with the seafarer, listening and offering quiet prayers as the man shared his deep distress. The chaplain visited him for three days, bringing literature in his native Greek, and two pairs of sandals the seafarer had asked for. Simon said, “When he smiled, I could sense a difference in his face. He thanked me for the visits and kept smiling when he said ‘goodbye’ to me.”

Hobart: tribute to Kath Tomes

Kath Tomes, who died in February, was a longstanding supporter of the Mission in Hobart, Tasmania. Kath

made a significant personal contribution to MtS Hobart, as well as supporting her husband Jack, who received the 2011 Lloyd’s List Australia Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 75 years volunteering for the Mission.

Hobart chaplain the Revd Bruce Mitchell said. “Kath was a delightful lady, much loved by all with whom she came in contact, and many seafarers’ waistlines would attest to her culinary skills. Her funeral was a good celebration of her life as a packed church gave thanks to God for her life of faith and service. We pray that Jack and her family will be comforted and strengthened at this time.”

Felixstowe: support for fearful crew

Seafarers docking at Australia’s Port Giles on the remote Yorke

Peninsula are now being greeted by warm hospitality from chaplain Geoff Harrison and his wife June. The port has no nearby town or local facilities, so until now visiting seafarers have found themselves incredibly isolated.

“If it were not for us the crew mem-bers would be confined to their ship or the wharf area,” said Geoff. “Some ships are here for a week or more after

being at sea and at anchor often for some weeks.”

Since July 2011 the Harrisons have welcomed more than 600 seafarers into their home while a new Mission centre was being set up. They provide internet and phone access, arrange medical appointments, transport sea-farers to shops 20km away, and organ-ise trips to see local wildlife such as emus and kangaroos. The new centre opened on 22 April.

Captain Frederick Wahutu, who died in January, was a member of MtS Mombasa’s Executive Committee.

He had been involved with the Mission since childhood, when his father worked as a steward for the Mombasa Seamen’s Club.

Captain Wahutu trained in the British Merchant Navy and studied at the World Maritime University in Sweden. After gaining his Master Mariner certificate in the UK, he returned to work in Mombasa as a harbour pilot, going on

to become Merchant Shipping Superintendent. He was made Acting Director General to oversee the formation of

the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) in 2005, and later became Executive Officer of the Kenya Ships Agents Association.

Captain Wahutu was held in high regard and affection at Mombasa MtS, and in the Kenyan maritime sector. 300 people attended his funeral from across the industry.

During a routine ship visit in Mistley, UK, MtS chaplain Geoff Moore found two seafarers living in filthy conditions. He immediately took the men ashore and

found accommodation for them in a local B&B, as well as providing clean clothing and toiletries. The ship’s agent threatened to withhold the seafarers’ wages if they did not return that night, so Geoff arranged for three police officers to inspect the vessel the following morning. They discovered its registration was out of date, and notified the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which swiftly issued an arrest warrant. The ship is being kept in port for repairs, after which it is due to sail to Falmouth, where the Mission will continue providing support to the crew.

Mistley: two crew saved from filthy ship

Port news

11

Port Giles: Geoff and June’s home is a welcoming beacon for isolated crews

“There have been times while visiting ships that crew members have approached me needing some moments of peace and quiet. Quite often they need to offload their worries and burdens just like a ship needs to offload its cargo, and just as a ship takes on board new cargo, I hope that the seafarers can take on board some peace and tranquility.”

A chaplain’s perspective

John Attenborough, Antwerp

“Whenever they’re here they’re strangers, and we provide friendship or a safe environment. It’s a place where they can sit, relax, have a cup of coffee and for us to listen and be interested in what they do. Our services give them balance and a sense of normality. I get excited – sometimes I think it’s the best job I could ever have.”

The Revd John Kewa, Port Kembla

“In many countries there is no welfare state and seafarers don’t fit into the normal local legal situation, so if they have a problem it can take a special kind of knowledge to get them the help they need. The Mission supplies this expert knowledge, and is connected with welfare organisations around the world. Without the MtS this vital network would be lost, and seafarers would be even more isolated and lonely.”

The Revd Stephen Miller,

Hong Kong

Mombasa: in memory of Captain Wahutu

June with a visiting seafarer. One wrote in the guest book: “I must have done some good things in my life for Jesus to send you to me.”

www.missiontoseafarers.org @flyingangelnews www.facebook.com/themissiontoseafarers0300 555 1505

An estimated 2,000 ships cross the high-risk waters between Somalia

and India each day, but in an ocean so vast, protection for crews is minimal. Although many international navies have pledged support to the anti-piracy cause, this amounts to 25 warships pa-trolling 2.6 million square miles of sea.

Even with emergency reporting and response initiatives such as the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre and EU NAV-FOR’s Operation Atalanta, crews remain highly vulnerable to attack. Ships adopt

makeshift measures such as razor wire, round-the-clock watches, travel-ling in convoy, and secure rooms where crews can lock shelter during an attack and radio for help. Increasingly though, shipping companies are resorting to em-ploying armed guards to offer stronger protection for cargoes and crew.

In March, the EU agreed to extend Operation Atalanta until 2014, and sanc-tioned targeted strikes on pirates’ re-sources, such as boats and weapons, on beaches along the coast of Somalia.


My name is Rebecca Gebbie. I am the Mission to Seafarers’ legacy officer, which means that I work with solicitors and executors to make sure that if you leave us a gift in your will, your wishes are properly carried out and your compassion lives on through our daily work.

Last week I spoke to our chaplain in Southampton, the Revd Andrew Huckett. He told me how legacy gifts are helping fund crucial services for seafarers arriving at the busy port, which hosts the UK’s second largest container terminal. Andrew explained that due to the tight turnaround times for ships using the port, crews often have only a few hours ashore despite having been at sea for many weeks. Internet and telephone facilities at the centre provide a vital lifeline to enable seafarers to make contact with home, and staff offer a warm welcome, aiming to create a ‘home from home’ environment so that they can enjoy a peaceful break from the long hours and demanding routines on board ship. Staff and volunteers also support seafarers who are in sick or injured, are having problems with their employer or simply need a space to talk in a time of crisis.

That week, staff at the centre had assisted a distressed Ghanaian chief engineer who was owed money by his company but had not known where to turn for help. They contacted the International Transport Workers’ Federation and a representative came down to negotiate a settlement. The seafarer was overjoyed.


Charity numbers: 212432 / SC039211A legacy gift could help us maintain vital support services for seafarers in desperate need who have nowhere else to turn. If you are thinking of remembering the Mission to Seafarers in your will, I am available to talk to you on 0207 246 2917, or you can email me at: [email protected]

West Africa The waters of Nigeria and Benin, in the Gulf of Guinea, have been declared a ‘High Risk Area’ for seafarers, following an increasing number of attacks and kid-nappings at sea. The new categorisation comes from the International Bargaining Forum, which negotiates between sea-farers’ unions and the maritime industry. Seafarers traversing these waters will now receive additional benefits, includ-ing: the right to refuse to enter the area, double their daily basic wage and double death and disability compensation.

International Maritime Bureau figures for piracy and armed robbery at sea in 2012 (as at 19th March):

Total incidents reported worldwide • Total attacks: 87• Total hijackings: 9

Total incidents reported for Somalia:• Total incidents: 36• Total hijackings: 7• No. of hostages taken: 92• Vessels held by Somali pirates: 13 • Hostages held by Somali pirates: 197

Somalia and the Indian Ocean

Facts & figures

Piracy update

Photo: EU NAVFOR.

What does a port chaplain do? The chaplain’s job is to show God’s presence in both spiritual and practical ways. This means visiting seafarers aboard their ships, helping out when needed, often with communication or transport, sharing in seafarers’ ups and downs and being a friendly face in what is often a hostile environment. How big is the port of Hong Kong?It is one of the busiest container ports in the world. The nine container terminals handle over 50 ships a day and many more load and unload in the anchorage. What facilities does the Mission have there? The first Sailors’ Home was built in Hong Kong in 1863 and a UK chaplain was sent out in 1885. Today we have two centres: a 110-bedroom seafarers’ home, which provides both club facilities and accommodation, and a drop-in centre in the container port. We also run a 45-foot motor launch for visiting ships at anchor, as well as taking seafarers ashore. In 2011, over 31,000 seafarers stayed in the hotel facility and 25,000 visited one of the centres. Can you describe a typical day?The day begins with prayers at 8.30am. I then work out which ships to visit and collect sports DVDs and newspapers in differ-ent languages to take on board. By 9.45am I am on the Mission launch going out to the ships in the anchorage. We visit around seven ships, and at 2pm I head back to catch up with admin for the Mariners’ Club and deal with seafarers needing help or just wanting to chat. By 4pm I am normally doing my rounds of the local hospitals where we have seafarers receiving treatment.Can you tell us a particularly memorable story?One of the first cases I got involved with in Dubai was that of a chief mate, Pillai. His tanker had got into difficulties when the company went bankrupt, leaving 24 ships and their crews stranded around the world. Pillai was suffering with a kidney infection and losing weight. Conditions on board ship were very poor, with no fuel for generators, no air conditioning and temperatures of over 40°C. After many weeks and much hard work I managed to get the case to court, and Pillai was the first to go home. I took him to the airport, hoping he would get home safely. Years later, I was giving out Christmas presents in Sharjah when a message came from the ship’s crew that the captain would like to see me. A few minutes later, in walked the captain - it was Pillai! With a big smile, he explained to his crew that because of me he got his life back and was now a successful ship’s Master. It was a very humbling experience, and one which will stay with me for a very long time.What kinds of problems do seafarers come to you with?Anything really... non-payment of wages, where to shop for particular items, issues about work contracts, issues at home, fear about the next voyage or concern over a new employer. Sometimes they are just lonely and want to talk, to have a shoulder to rest against before setting off back to their ship.

Interview with...

The Revd Stephen MillerMtS senior chaplain in Hong Kong

www.missiontoseafarers.org 0300 555 1505

Stephen joined the Mission in 1999. He first served as port chaplain in Rotterdam, before taking on a ministry in Dubai in 2002. Since May 2011 he has been senior chaplain in Hong Kong.

Registration payment

Please find enclosed a cheque for £25. (Cheques should be made payable to The Mission to Seafarers.)

Please debit £25 from my credit card/debit card: Visa/MasterCard/Maestro (delete as applicable)

Card no:

Start date: .............../ ............... Expiry date: .............. / ...............

Issue no for Maestro ..................

Name on card: ...................................................................................

Signature:.............................................................................................

Register here for the Flying Angel Ride!

To sign up for the Flying Angel Ride 2012, please complete and return this form to: FAR 2012, The Mission to Seafarers, St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL.

The closing date for postal applications is 12th May 2012. To register online, go to: www.missiontoseafarers.org/far2012

Event information

Which route do you intend to ride?

35 miles 75 miles

I understand that I must provide my own bike and helmet.

I will be attending the post-event meal.

Contact details

Mr/Miss/Mrs/Ms (please circle)

First name................................. Surname.............................................

D.O.B............................................ Age.................................................

Address.................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................

Postcode................................ Tel.........................................................

Email.....................................................................................................

Future correspondence about this event will be emailed to save money on postage. If you do not wish to receive emails from us regarding future events, please tick.

By filling in and signing this form I confirm that I have read and agreed to the terms and conditions at www.missiontoseafarers.org/far2012. I understand that this is a sponsored event and pledge to raise the minimum amount of £175, which I will either bring in on the day, or send by cheque to The Mission to Seafarers, to arrive no later than 27th June 2012.

Signed:............................................................................................

Date:................................................................................................

How you can support us

Make a donation If you would like to make a donation, please fill out the form below, and complete your contact details at the bottom of the page.

Please accept my gift of: £5 £15 £35

or £.......................... (your chosen amount)

My cheque is enclosed (Cheques should be made payable to The Mission to Seafarers.) Please debit my credit card/debit card: Visa/MasterCard/Maestro (delete as applicable)

Card no:

Start date ................ / ................

Expiry date ................ / ................

Issue no for Maestro ..................

Name on card: ...............................................................................

Signature ........................................................................................

I would like to make every £1 worth £1.25. I am a UK taxpayer and I would like The Mission to Seafarers to treat this donation and all donations from the date of this declaration as gift aid donations until I notify them otherwise (please tick).

I understand that I must pay income and capital gains tax at least equal to the tax reclaimed by all the charities I donate to in each tax year.

Date ......... /......... /.......... Signed ..............................................

There are many ways in which you can support our work with seafarers around the world.

Please detach this form and send it to:Freepost SU361Flying Angel NewsThe Mission To SeafarersSunderland SR9 9XZ.

Find out more about getting involvedPlease tick the box below and fill out the contact details panel at the bottom of the page to find out more about:

Taking part in an MtS challenge event

Fundraising for MtS, or organising your own event/activity

Remembering MtS in your will

Volunteering for MtS

Involving your company

Giving in memory of a friend or loved one

Contact detailsName ...............................................................................................

Address ...........................................................................................

..........................................................................................................

.....................................................Postcode.....................................

Email ...............................................................................................

Telephone .......................................................................................

Make your gift worth 25% more

FB2012

For leaving your familyfor months at a time.

For enduring inhumanlylong hours.

For the loneliness.

For living incramped conditions.

For being denied contactwith those you love.

For going through all this tobring us most of the goods

we rely on every day…

Thank you.

Please say a prayer, make a donation and send a seafarer a message of thanks on Sea Sunday.

www.seasunday.org


Charity numbers: 212432 / SC039211Reg. charity no: 1123613

Charitable company no: 6220240

flying angel news spring 2012

Documents