Mission to Seafarers needs more help to serve seamen stranded by Covid on ships worldwide
 If nothing else the Covid crisis laid bare the plight of seafarers as no other event since the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Even then, should a merchant seaman choose to leave his ship and be free of the threat of being sunk by German U-boats, he was free to do so.
This was not so in the Covid crisis. Seafarers had to stay on their ships for months if not years because of a scare that had little substance, a disease that did not result in many deaths beyond the very sick and the very old.
Throughout this period, one agency did its utmost to relieve the suffering of seafarerers and their families. That was. and is, the Mission to Seafarers, an Anglican welfare group serving merchant crews around the world.
Operating through a global network of chaplains, its staff and volunteers and provide support through ship visits, drop-in seafarers centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services.
That is, under normal circumstances. But circustances have been far from normal in the last two years with seafarers imprisoned on their ships, few of whom could return to their homes.
Now Pacific Basin Shipping, a leading dry bulk owner and operator, has joined five other leading companies as a Platinum sponsor of the Mission’s Sustaining Crew Welfare Campaign, allocating their contribution specifically to the Mission’s Family Support Network in the Philippines.
First established in 2016, the Mission’s Family Support Network (Philippines) has grown significantly and now supports over 4,000 seafarers and their families across the Philippines. This valuable service not only brings seafarers’ families together to provide mutual support, it also offers relevant training and guidance in terms of managing long distance relationships, how to communicate by social media with seafarers away from home, managing finances and everyday worries and concerns. In addition, they have helped with the vaccination effort.
The Mission to Seafarers team in Manila can coordinate expert advice in specific circumstances to alleviate concerns and worries. This reduces the pressure on seafarers away from home, enabling them to continue with their work with the knowledge that the Mission is supporting their families at home. The Mission hopes that this goes some way to assist safety at sea.
The project sponsorship will fund the operational costs of the Family Support Network service including the running of a minibus which transports seafarers to and from their homes; assists sick seafarers who need transport, and for travel from ports and airports as necessary. The transport also provides support for the delivery of the Family Support Network’s seminars and information services on medical, legal and financial support, as well as counselling to those in need.
On countless occasions, the Mission to Seafarers has provided first response support to seafarers in need. The Family Support Network service liaises with the Mission’s global network to assist in times of crisis and concern by offering reassurance and practical solutions. This has been the case in countries like the Philippines during natural disasters and global pandemics such as Covid-19 and the recent Typhoon Rai.
‘Our seafarers continue to be the backbone of our business, and their dedication, loyalty and professionalism – despite the hardships – enables our company to continue to provide reliable service to customers in good times and bad," said Pacific Basin CEO Martin Fruergaard.
“Our contribution to this worthy cause is one of the ways we can help to support both seafarers and their families, who are also part of the wider Pacific Basin family. The Mission to Seafarers’ Family Support Network helps by providing assistance and support to families which is vital while their seafarers are away at sea,’’ he said.
Said Mission spokesman Ben Bailey: “Our work with seafarers’ families is part of our strategy to be there when crews need us most. Over the next five years, we want to work with maritime stakeholders to establish new networks across the globe and already have plans to build on our latest network in India.
“Over the last six years we have built eight chapters across the Philippines and empowered local communities to work together to create sustainable support networks while their loved ones are at sea," he said.
During the pandemic, Mission chapters were active online, working to complete the Mission’s WeCare Financial Wellbeing programme as well as explore topics of resilience and positive mental health. In Manila, the Mission offered transport to seafarers and working with those who are seeking work or who require a route into state support.
“During the recent Typhoon Rai, one of our chapters has been very badly hit, and we are working with affected communities to provide support and practical assistance," Mr Bailey said.
On many occasions, the Mission to Seafarers has provided first response support to seafarers in need. The Family Support Network service liaises with the Mission’s global network to assist in times of crisis and concern by offering reassurance and practical solutions. This has been the case in countries like the Philippines during natural disasters and global pandemics such as Covid and Typhoon Rai.
The Covid crisis may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but there may well be emergencies when seafarers are subjected to unusual levels of suffering. They have been traditionally drawn from the wretched of the earth and therefore the most unwelcome and as a result the most abused and neglected.
Yet there are agencies willing to come to their assistance. It is during these crises that they most need our help. |
