Author: Sarah Eustace

Peter Morgan, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) port chaplain in Portsmouth, South England, stepped in to provide pastoral care for a refrigerated cargo ship’s crew upon the request of its manager, Seatrade Groningen BV, after a seafarer died on board. 
             The 19 crew members on the Comoros Stream were distraught following their colleague’s death while they were at sea in the Atlantic en-route to Portsmouth. 
             Feeling uncomfortable and seeking reassurance, they requested that the ship be blessed when they arrived in port. Peter arranged for a local priest, Fr Peter Hart, from St Margaret Mary Church, to celebrate Mass on board and bless the ship. 
             On June 4, Peter (photo below), AoS ship visitors Geoff Breeze and Elfi Ip, and Fr Peter boarded the vessel to meet the crew. 

             “The mood on board was quite low and the seafarers did not speak much of the deceased, perhaps because the tragic incident was still very fresh in their minds,” said Peter. 
             “Mass was celebrated in memory of the deceased crew member. After that some of crew spoke with Fr Peter. This was very much appreciated by the crew. There was a change of atmosphere on board after this, it was more positive. 
             “The ship and the cabin of the deceased were blessed on request of the captain and chief engineer. The crew felt more comfortable after this,” Peter added. 
             The ship has since left Portsmouth, but Peter and AoS local ship visitors will continue to support the crew when they return to Portsmouth in just over a month’s time from their South America run. 
             The tragic incident is a powerful example of AoS’ ministry of “going to where the hurt is… the Church in outreach to those on the margins”, where Pope Francis encourages us to go.
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Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) is marking Day of the Seafarer by paying tribute to female seafarers and cruiseship crew members. 
              The charity is also highlighting the vital role its female trustees, port chaplains, head office staff and volunteers play.
              This year’s International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) theme for Day of the Seafarer is ‘I Am on Board with gender equality’. 
              AoS Board Member Theresa Crossley said, “The maritime sector has generally been behind the curve on gender equality, so it's great that the IMO had really picked up the baton with the ‘I Am on Board with gender equality’ campaign. 
              “But someone said to me recently: "You can't be what you don't see." In other words, women need to take up roles and responsibilities that have been traditionally the preserve of men and be visible in those roles, if we are to inspire our girls and young women for the future.” 

Theresa Crossley: AoS is leading by example.               

              Theresa added that AoS is leading by example. “We already have women at all levels in the organisation – board members, staff, port chaplains and ship visitors, all of whom bring a unique blend of skills, expertise and compassion to helping seafarers in need of support,” she said. 
              “At AoS, we don't discriminate between male and female seafarers in terms of who we help, so it's right that we don't discriminate between men and women in terms of who provides that faithful support. I think we can be proud of that.” 
              Anne McLaren, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) Regional Port Chaplain for North East England & Humber said, “We know women are capable of doing seafaring jobs. Thankfully most companies now recruit the best person for the job, be they female or male. 
              “Our challenge is to reach out to girls and young women to tell them about the various seafaring and shipping career opportunities available to them so they can make informed choices about their future occupation.” 

Anne McLaren: AoS continues to play a vital role in supporting female and male seafarers

              “Ship owners and shipping companies should also ensure that working conditions on board are conducive for both female and male seafarers,” she said. 
              Anne adds that women port chaplains and ship visitors at AoS continue to play a vital role in supporting female and male seafarers, doing this via AoS’ daily ship visits and by providing practical, emotional and pastoral care to seafarers when the need arises.

Pope Francis has conveyed his appreciation and encouragement to seafarers and fishers worldwide. 
              Underlining our dependence on the maritime industry, he said, “Without sailors, the global economy would come to a standstill; and without fishermen, many parts of the world would starve.” 
              The Pope was addressing Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) national directors, chaplains and volunteers today during a Papal Audience, who met earlier this week for their European Regional Meeting. 
              Pope Francis noted many seafarers and fishers worked for lengthy periods of time, away from home and their families. 
              Yet many of their lives are “not only marked by isolation and distance, but at times painfully affected by shameful experiences of abuse and injustice”, he said. 

              These injustices include human trafficking, forced labour, not being paid their rightful salaries and abandonment; as well as human threats such as piracy and terrorism. 
              Pope Francis said Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers are entrusted with the mission of presence, bringing the Good News of the Lord Jesus to seafarers and fishers. 
              “Your daily visits to the ships enable you to encounter people in concrete situations. With compassion and discretion, you give them a chance to pour out their hearts,” he said. 
              He added, “Your ministry to sailors and fishermen is above all one of listening to them and to their material and spiritual needs.”

              Listening can then lead to action, the Pope said. He urged chaplains and volunteers of Stella Maris to redouble their efforts to confront issues that are all too often the fruit of human greed. 
              “Through your service, you can help restore to these persons their sense of dignity,” he said. Recognising that many seafarers approach or come to see chaplains and priests with problems of conscience that make them suffer greatly, Pope Francis has granted to all chaplains of sailors the same faculties given to the Missionaries of Mercy. 
              “In this way, you will be able to bring peace to so many hearts,” he stated. In concluding his address, Pope Francis called on those present to “persevere in commitment to your apostolate, following the fine example of all those who have gone before you”. 
              “Indeed, you are preparing to celebrate next year the centenary of Stella Maris at your Twenty-fifth World Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, where this mission of the Church was born in the hearts and actions of several lay people. 
              “This anniversary will be an occasion to remember the past in order to discern the present and to look ahead to the future,” Pope Francis said. 

*Offcial photos from the Papal Audience can be viewed at the Vatican's Photo Department at http://www.photovat.com/PHOTOVAT/FRANCESCO/2019/06.GIUGNO/27062019_APOSTOLATO/index.html

*On July 14, churches across Great Britain and the world will celebrate Sea Sunday, a day to pray for and remember seafarers and fishers and to support the work of Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea).

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Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) enjoyed a fun-filled evening at their successful Race Night in St Augustine’s parish, Coatbridge, Scotland.
             Almost £600 was raised last Friday night as volunteers, supporters, local parishioners and those from other parishes as far as Dundee rolled up to pit their wits against each other, in what was a first-time event for AoS. 
             Andy McDonald (MBE), parish contact in Our Lady and St Ninian, Bannockburn, used his extensive expertise as he ran a variety of closely-fought races with his wife, Anne, and their loyal assistants Noel and Mary who made the journey down from Stirling to play their part in the success. 
             The main prize of the evening was a commemorative signed poster from former Celtic players, including Henrik Larsson and Lubomir Moravcik, which auctioned for over £200. 
             This was provided by Marianne Brady, parish contact at St Augustine’s, who also contributed a signed glove from local boxing world champion, Riki Burns. 
             Mrs Brady, a teacher at Holyrood Secondary School in Glasgow, said, “Stella Maris is such a worthwhile charity. We’re just glad that St Augustine’s were able to help them in this way, especially as they approach their centenary in 2020.” 
             AoS would like to offer their sincere thanks to Kilgannon Motors, Bannockburn, for their generous £100 sponsorship. 
             Euan McArthur, AoS Scottish Development Officer, said, “It was great to see so many people having fun. We would like to thank everyone who attended and helped in any way, including Chris for allowing use of the hall facilities and refreshments on the night.”

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Dr Esteban Pacha has been appointed Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) Chair of Trustees at a Board meeting held in Cardiff on July 17. 
              Prior to this he was Acting Chair of Trustees. He also chairs the Board’s International Committee. 
              The Board has also appointed Theresa Crossley as Vice Chair of Trustees. She also heads the newly-established Committee on safeguarding and human element. 
              Esteban is currently the transport and infrastructures attaché at the Embassy of Spain in London. He began his career as a seafarer on merchant vessels and went on to serve as a captain before becoming a harbour master. 
              He has served as director general of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO); founder commissioner of the United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development; representative of Spain to the International Maritime Organization (IMO): and governor of the World Maritime University. 

              Theresa is the CEO of the International Maritime Rescue Federation, an international charity which aims to improve maritime search and rescue capability around the globe. 
              Their appointments will further galvanise the work of Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) in ensuring the charity’s continued care for the physical, pastoral and spiritual needs of seafarers and fishers and their wellbeing. 
              It also bodes well as Stella Maris gears up to celebrate its upcoming Centenary next year, kicking off with the World Congress in Glasgow in October 2020.

 

Global seafarers’ charity, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), says the impact of the reports of another tanker ‘seizure’ will pile stress and anxiety on all seafarers navigating the region. 
              Media reports say the British flagged tanker, the ‘Stena Impero’, has been ‘seized’ and is now heading for Iran.
              John Green, Director of Development for the charity said, "one minute the crew on board were going about their professional duties and the next they will be undergoing huge pressure, not knowing what will happen next, one can only think of their wives and children at home and the worry they will be facing." 
              Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), is the largest charity in the world providing welfare support to seafarers in over 330 ports around the world as well as supporting seafarers’ families. 
              This ‘seizure’ echoes the piracy crisis off the Somali coast that went on for a few years. Not only were the crew of ships that were attacked traumatised, but also the crew going into pirated areas had heightened stress, as did their families at home. 
              The charity continues to monitor the situation.

Below John Green speaks to BBC News about AoS concerns for seafarers following the tanker capture.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9luXoKPKV1k]

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Global seafarers’ charity, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), is calling for seafarers rights to be respected as a second tanker has been seized. 
              Iranian state TV reported that their forces had seized a second oil tanker in the Gulf that they alleged was smuggling fuel.
              The seven crew onboard have been detained. 
              John Green, Director of Development for the charity said, "We are hugely concerned for the welfare of the crew of this ship and also the crew of the Stena Impero who are still detained. The effects of this latest seizure will not only be on this crew but also on their wives and children."
              The charity recently published in its magazine for seafarers guidance on what to do when facing criminal charges or an investigation by the authorities. 
              Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), is the largest charity in the world providing welfare support to seafarers in over 330 ports around the world as well as supporting seafarers’ families. 
              The charity continues to monitor the situation.

Below John Green speaks to BBC News about the need to respect seafarers' rights as news breaks of a second tanker being seized.

How do we help the seafarer of the future?
              That’s the question being posed to the shipping industry and maritime charities as they explore the impact of technology on crew well-being at a special event during London International Shipping Week (LISW). 
              The afternoon of engaging debates will see The Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society, Seafarers UK and Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) draw on their combined 550-plus years’ experience to explore with industry leaders what seafarers of the future will need. 
              The free conference, sponsored by Inmarsat, includes a keynote speech from Dr Grahaeme Henderson, vice president, Shipping and Maritime, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd on: ‘How shipping can thrive: today, tomorrow and in the future’. 
              His speech will be followed by four panel debates, looking at everything from how technology can improve health and safety and whether it can replace the personal touch to how other industries tackle issues like fatigue, isolation and long contracts and how charities should prepare for the welfare needs of new generations of men and women at sea. 
              The Impact of Technology on Crew Well-being will focus particularly on mental health and takes place on from 1.30pm to 5.30pm on Wednesday September 11 at Inmarsat Global on City Road.  
              The afternoon will be followed by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) Awards and a drinks reception. 

              COO and director of programme at Sailors’ Society, Sandra Welch, said: “This very special event brings everyone together – industry professionals and the four nominated charities of LISW, which have more than five centuries of experience between them. The issues seafarers face and the needs we meet have not changed very much over the years, but as technology develops and shapes the industry, we too must adapt. It will be an interesting afternoon for anyone involved in shipping and its future.” 
              Nick Harvey, campaigns manager at Seafarers UK, said: “Is the jury still out on whether or not improved connectivity is a good or bad thing for seafarers working thousands of miles away from home? The Seafarers UK charity welcomes the opportunity this conference provides to shed light on a subject that sadly is still side-stepped by some ship owners and operators.” 
              Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General at The Mission to Seafarers, said: “Technology can bring exciting opportunities for the maritime industry and especially seafarers, who may be away from their loved ones for long periods of time. This session is a fantastic opportunity to bring together people from across the shipping industry to discuss the future role of technology in the industry.” 
              Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) national director Martin Foley said: “In spite of the welcome changes and advances in technology, our experience shows that having a ‘friend in port’ is still vitally important for seafarers. Face-to-face contact is unique and irreplaceable, and our commitment to routine visiting can help alleviate loneliness and mental health problems in seafarers.” 
              Visit https://lisw.inmarsat.com/the-future-crew/ to find out more about the event and to register your attendance.