Author: Sarah Eustace

Media have reported that the detained tanker Stena Impero has finally been allowed to sail and this morning began to leave Iranian waters. However, we remain concerned for a number of other vessels.

The Stena Impero is heading to international waters and then according to Stena to Dubai where the crew will be debriefed and repatriated.  ‘After 69 days being detained against their will, it is good news that this crew has finally been allowed to sail and hopefully get back to their families soon’ said Martin Foley, National Director of global seafarers’ charity Stella Maris

Whilst the world’s attention has rightly been on this ship and its crew Stella Maris remains concerned for other ships out of the media spotlight. Currently, the charity is monitoring 14 other vessels around the world affected by wage problems, lack of shore leave, bullying and harassment, death and piracy.

John Green, Director of Development said ‘Every year, out of the media spotlight, Stella Maris port chaplains and volunteers support seafarers in stressful situations that those working on land rarely come across. For seafarers, the support of good ship owners and Stella Maris remains vital when life at sea can be dangerous and highly stressful.

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.

Today (4 October) marks one year till our Centenary on 4 October 2020.
             Watch a short video in which Archbishop Tartaglia of Archdiocese of Glasgow extends a warm invite to our 25th World Congress in Glasgow where Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) was founded.
             He is joined by the Bishops of Galloway Diocese and Motherwell Diocese as well as Justice and Peace Scotland, seafarers, schools, the Lord Provost of Glasgow Eva Bolander, and our port chaplains Deacon Joe O'Donnell and Deacon Doug Duncan.

Watch the welcome video
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jazc5ObbqI]    

Go here to see the official message from Cardinal Peter Turkson, the Vatican's Prefect for the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in Rome (which Stella Maris falls under) has sent an official message to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conference, Bishops Promoters, Regional Coordinators, National Directors and Volunteers of Stella Maris. 

Through Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), Christianity is alive in the pastoral care offered to seafarers and fishermen, many of whom are marginalised and vulnerable, said Archbishop John Wilson. 
              “Boats and the Lord Jesus. Our Lady, Star of the Sea. The beautiful truths of our faith, reflected in these images, are alive today in the mission of the Apostleship of the Sea,” said Bishop John in his homily at the Stella Maris Mass held in St George’s Cathedral Southwark. 
              The Mass was attended by AoS supporters, volunteers, trustees, head office staff and local parishioners. Under the patronage of Our Blessed Mother, Stella Maris, the Apostleship of the Sea in Great Britain is part of an international Catholic missionary outreach to seafarers, with 227 port chaplains in 328 ports in 59 countries worldwide. 
              In its ministry across the United Kingdom port chaplains bring the Gospel to life for those working at sea, many of whom are Catholics, all of whom work away from their families, sometimes in very challenging conditions, and with little support. 

Photo: Archdiocese of Southwark

              In his homily Archbishop John also referred to Apostleship of the Sea’s Life at Sea Report which outlines just some of the realities at stake for seafarers and the crucial difference that port chaplains can make. [Stella Maris’ ministry] “to seafarers, guided by Mary, the Star of the Sea, is at the service and the wellbeing, the safe return home, of all those who set out on the waters. It helps them connect and come home safely to their families, to their friends, and to their country. It helps them find a welcome home in Christ and in His Church, and, one day, to come home safely to heaven, our eternal harbour. 
              “This is something for which we can be very proud of and for which we give thanks to God,” he said. 
              Apostleship of the Sea celebrates its centenary in October next year, which kicks-off with its 25th World Congress in Glasgow where it was founded. Watch the welcome video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jazc5ObbqI   
You can watch a video of Archbishop John's homily below
[video:https://youtu.be/Y6T5UC5Fla4]

More photos of the Mass can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/rcsouthwark/albums/72157711191604393/ 

Fr David Burke, a former port chaplain with Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) celebrated Mass for seafarers, their families and all who support them at the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Warwick Street, Soho on September 26. 
              Fr David, now parish priest of Sacred Heart in Berkhamsted, previously served as a port chaplain in the ports of Hull and Goole before becoming a priest. 
              In his homily Fr David said, “During my time as port chaplain I had the privilege to visit many ships; and despite the hardship, loneliness and isolation felt by the seafarers, those on board were always full of smiles of gratitude that someone from the Apostleship of the Sea had come to visit, with a word, a prayer, some news, a phone card, a bible, a woolly hat, a trip to local seafarers centre or opportunity to go into town, or the opportunity to have Mass on board that evening.” 

Fr David Burke, during his days as AoS Hull & Goole Port Chaplain

              Nearly 70 percent of seafarers are estimated to be Catholic, coming from places like the Philippines, Poland and Goa. Apostleship of the Sea network of port chaplains, ship visitors and volunteers provide spiritual and practical assistance to seafarers by being a friend in port.
              In his homily, Fr David also spoke of ‘kabayan’ – a Filipino word used when one Filipino meets another they haven’t met before. It asks generally if the other is a countryman and informs a stranger that they are friends that they have not yet met. It conveys a sense of fraternity, friendship, a closeness established between seafarers, and a connection that they are children of God, said Fr David. 
              “At this Mass we celebrate for all seafarers, families and those who support them, we also celebrate the ‘kabayan’ of the Apostleship of the Sea around the world and in the UK; ‘kabayan’ showed to all seafarers, our ‘kabayan’ as Apostleship of the Sea,” said Fr David. 
              “Our ship visit, our welcome, the small gesture, the friendship, the chat, the rosary, the sharing of a biscuit – these can never be underestimated because it is often in these encounters that God works,” he added. 
              Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) celebrates its centenary in October next year, which kicks-off with its 25th World Congress in Glasgow where it was founded. Watch the welcome video here https://youtu.be/5Jazc5ObbqI

Bishop Terence Drainey commissioned ship visitor Keith Rodgers, 74, during a special Mass held in St Charles Borromeo in October to commemorate the feast of Our Lady Star of the Sea. 
              Keith has been a ship visitor with Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) since 2012 and goes on board ships arriving in the ports of Hull and Goole to support seafarers. 
              The Mass was attended by all the Apostleship of the Sea Chaplains from the North East region, their volunteers, supporters and local parishioners.
             
              In May 2016 Keith supported a 22-year-old Indian seafarer who had sustained injuries at sea. The seafarer was hospitalised, and Keith visited him in hospital almost every day and sometimes twice a day.
              Keith put into action Apostleship of the Sea’s local ‘emergency plan’ and gave the seafarer a mobile phone so he could contact his parents who initially had no real knowledge of what had happened to their son. 
              During many hours together Keith and the injured seafarer spoke about the young man’s hopes and aspirations and helped to encourage him in his positive outlook. He left hospital in much better spirits. 
              Nearly 70 percent of seafarers are estimated to be Catholic, coming from places like the Philippines, Poland and Goa. Apostleship of the Sea network of port chaplains, ship visitors and volunteers provide spiritual and practical assistance to seafarers by being a friend in port. 
              Apostleship of the Sea celebrates its centenary in October next year, which kicks-off with its 25th World Congress in Glasgow where it was founded. Watch a welcome video at https://youtu.be/5Jazc5ObbqI

Global maritime charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) has welcomed the signing of a Declaration which will boost fishing vessel safety and help curb illegal and unregulated fishing. 
              Forty eight countries have signed the Torremolinos Declaration, indicating their determination to ratify the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety during a Ministerial Conference this week led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
              The Torremolinos Ministerial Conference on Fishing Vessel Safety and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing was held from October 21 to 23 in Torremolinos, Spain. 
              “Stella Maris commends and welcomes the Declaration and Resolution. We look forward to working with the IMO, International Labour Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization and IMO Member States to eradicate IUU fishing and provide better welfare support to fishers and their families on whom we depend for so much,” said the Charity’s National Director Martin Foley. 
              Foley said IUU fishing affects not only fish stocks and the environment but also the just and fair employment of many of thousands of fishers. “Cases of severe physical maltreatment, employment abuses such as non-payment of wages and bonded labour have also been encountered by Stella Maris port chaplains and other agencies supporting crew working in the fishing sector,” he said. 

              Foley said fishers work in one of the most dangerous environments and yet all too often governments and authorities turn a blind eye to the appalling conditions many are forced to endure. 
              Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) is committed to fighting trafficking in the fishing industry and is actively involved in assisting fishers who are in danger of being exploited and abused by unscrupulous owners by providing spiritual and material assistance to the fishers and their families. 
              Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) Chair of Trustees Dr Esteban Pacha, who is also part of Spain’s Delegation to the IMO, attended the Conference which saw participation from some 120 States, 70 ministerial-level representatives, 30 international organisations and 500 delegates.
              He said, “We need all parties to commit to ensuring safer seas and decent working conditions for fishers, and with this Declaration, we are closer than ever to this objective. We urge all Member States to ratify the Cape Town Agreement.” 

              In a communique published on their website, IMO says that 48 Members States have signed the Torremolinos Declaration, publicly indicating their determination to ensure that the 2012 Cape Town Agreement on fishing vessel safety will enter into force by the tenth anniversary of its adoption on October 11 2022. 
              The Cape Town Agreement includes mandatory safety measures for fishing vessels of 24 m in length and over. It covers key parameters such as stability and associated seaworthiness, machinery and electrical installations, life-saving appliances, communications equipment, fire protection and fishing vessel construction. 
              Although adopted in 2012, it will only enter into force after at least 22 States, with an aggregate 3,600 fishing vessels of 24 m in length and over, have expressed their consent to be bound by it.
* A prayer for fishers and their families.
 

Bishop Robert Byrne from Hexham & Newcastle Diocese recently joined our Port Chaplains Deacon Peter Barrigan and Paul Atkinson on a port and ship visit (his first) in Tyne port on October 23.
               He went on board a DFDS ferry and saw for himself how our chaplains support seafarers and cruise ship crew members. He also met several crew members.
              The crew were delighted to welcome the Bishop and the captain spoke highly of Paul who visits the ship regularly and has become a friend to many of those on board.
               Bishop Robert described how Stella Maris' (Apostleship of the Sea) ministry of ship visiting akin to that of a 'parish at sea', seafarers are like parishioners we haven't seen in a while.
               He also likened the role of chaplains to that of lightning conductors; everything that goes on around comes through the chaplains who make sure all things pass peacefully.

               
You can see some photos by following this link below. Photos are by Iain Gelston/Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle

Two seafarers from the Navigator Genesis, docked at Fawley terminal recently, enjoyed a welcomed break on land at the Stella Maris Seafarers’ Centre at St Bernard’s Church in Holbury, Hampshire.
             The seafarers explained to our volunteers at the centre that they were at anchor off of the Isle of Wright for 30 days.
             Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) South Coast Regional Port Chaplain Fr John Lavers says AoS Stella Maris has been monitoring the length of time ships have remained at anchor before entering port at Southampton and Portsmouth.
             "For seafarers this is becoming more of a regular occurrence in remaining at anchor for many days before entering port," Fr John says. He adds, "Without access to the internet this time at anchor for long periods of time can be very stressful for seafarers."
             Please pray for the seafarers on ships at anchor….Our Lady Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)…Pray for them.

An award-winning acapella male choir will kick off a series of carol services for seafarers in Great Britain organised by Catholic charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea). 
             The charity’s inaugural carol service in Glasgow on Sunday December 8 will feature the CloseShave Chorus who will bring their unique barbershop vocal harmonies to the event at Glasgow University Catholic Chaplaincy. 
             Three more Stella Maris carol services will follow; in Southampton (9 December), South Shields (11 December) and London (12 December), allowing supporters and local parishioners in those areas to come together and raise their voices for seafarers.
             “Many seafarers will not be home for Christmas this year, working at sea and in ports during the festive period. But that doesn't mean that they'll be forgotten,” Stella Maris Development Director John Green said.
             “This year we'll be holding Christmas Carol Services in Glasgow, Southampton, London and South Shields, paying tribute to seafarers for all they do – including bringing us the goods that make up our Christmas presents,” he added. 

             John said, “Seafarers are the ones who deliver the Christmas presents we open and the food that make our Christmas meals – but their Christmas will just be another long and lonely working day on the ocean.” 
             He added, "Stella Maris – through its extensive network of more than 200 port chaplains, ship visitors and volunteers in Great Britain and around the world – ensure that seafarers are not left out of the Christmas festivities by going on board ships to distribute shoeboxes filled with woolly hats, toiletries, socks, chocolates, and prayer books and Stella Maris faith magazines to the many crew members they meet." 
              Details including times and venues of Stella Maris Christmas Carol services can be found at https://www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk/carol-services 
              All are invited to come along and join in the singing and traditional refreshments afterwards including mince pies and mulled wine.