Event type: Webinar

Over the last two and a half years, cases of seafarers being abandoned on ships around the world have increased. A record 95 cases were reported last year. Crews have been stranded without wages or basic necessities, far from home, for months on end.

Sadly, the International Maritime Organisation predict that this year, the record will be broken again.

In the run-up to World Maritime Day, we held an online panel discussion about this important issue, the recording is now available above.

In this recording you will hear from:

• Award-winning journalist, author, and director of The Outlaw Ocean Project, Ian Urbina
• Jan de Boer,  Senior Legal Officer at the International Maritime Organisation
• Margaret Masibo, Stella Maris Kenya
• Peter Morgan, Stella Maris UK. 

We discuss how this happens, what can be done to prevent it, and the important role Stella Maris has in supporting abandoned seafarers and fishers.

2021 was a year of turmoil, challenge and poor mental health for seafarers and fishers. Covid-19 restrictions continued around the world, dramatically impacting the oceans’ frontline workers, and adding a layer of complexity to every port visit. But your support helped us to serve the people of the sea throughout the storm.

Thank you for joining us for an online update and thank you webinar on Tuesday 28th June from 7:30pm to 9:00pm where we spoke about the impact of your generosity on the lives of seafarers, fishers, and their families over the last year or so.

You can watch the webnar here:

Our speakers included:

• Martin Foley, Stella Maris UK Chief Executive Officer and European Regional Coordinator
• Julian Wong, Regional Port Chaplain for East Anglia and Haven Ports, Stella Maris UK
• Fr Alex Smerechynskyy, National Director Stella Maris Ukraine, and port chaplain in Odesa
• Rostik Inzhestoikov, Ship visitor Odesa
• Fr Edward Pracz, National Director, Stella Maris Poland

For fishers and seafarers, life at sea can be extremely challenging. Our port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors provide a beacon of hope and support to them, in a foreign port where they may know no one.

Your generosity has helped to ensure that seafarers and fishers in this country and around the world continue to receive the care and support they need. In this webinar recording we shared the impact of your kind support on the lives of seafarers, fishers, and their families.

For fishers and seafarers, life at sea can be extremely challenging. Our port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors provide a beacon of hope and support to them, in a foreign port where they may know no one.

Your generosity has helped to ensure that seafarers and fishers in this country and around the world continue to receive the care and support they need. In this webinar you will hear about the impact of your kind support on the lives of seafarers, fishers, and their families.

Register now

For fishers and seafarers, life at sea can be extremely challenging. Our port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors provide a beacon of hope and support to them, in a foreign port where they may know no one.

Your generosity has helped to ensure that seafarers and fishers in this country and around the world continue to receive the care and support they need. In this webinar you will hear about the impact of your kind support on the lives of seafarers, fishers, and their families.

Register now

When: 23rd March 7:30pm
Where: Zoom

Bigger ships, smaller crews, and faster turn around times in port have ensured that goods can be delivered more quickly and cheaply than ever before. But what does this mean for the seafarers onboard?

On the one-year anniversary of the Ever Given getting stuck in the Suez Canal, we took a look at the history of the container ship and the rise of the Ultra-Large Container Vessel. We explored what impact the modernisation of the shipping industry has had on seafarers around the world.

Our panel of expertsed discuss how shipping has changed in the last century. The impact this is having on seafarers today, and the important role Stella Maris has in supporting them.

Almost 25 million people globally are victims of forced labour. It isn’t just a problem that is happening ‘somewhere else’; it is on our doorstep and on our tables.

Our expert panel includes Stella Maris chaplains in the UK and abroad, Mark Cam – Lead Investigator from the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Jessica Sparks – Assistant Professor of Antislavery Ecosystems. They will explore this issue further and explain how fishers can find themselves trapped in this horrific situation, and what we at Stella Maris and others do to rescue and protect those in danger.

This has been a year like no other. In March 2020 the world came to a standstill, planes stopped, shops and offices closed, people stayed at home.  But ships and fishing vessels kept going. And thanks to your support, we were able to be there for seafarers and fishers when they needed us the most.

On Tuesday 23rd March we shared an online update and thank you webinar to show the important impact of your generosity on the lives of seafarers, fishers, and their families over the last 12 months.

Speakers included our Chair of Trustees (Captain Esteban Pacha), Chief Executive Officer and European Regional Coordinator (Martin Foley), Senior Area Port Chaplain for South of England and Wales (Deacon Nick O’Neill), and Port Chaplain for Manila, Philippines (Father Paulo Prigol). There was also some powerful video and audio stories from seafarers and fishers whom you have helped support during this difficult period. 

You can now watch a recording of the webinar below