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Three seafarers, who are survivors of modern slavery in the UK, have been reunited with their families for the first time in four years, with the help of Stella Maris.

The men’s ordeal began in 2021, when they were recruited to work aboard a fishing vessel in UK waters. Forced to work long hours without rest, given insufficient food, and subjected to threats and physical abuse , they eventually fled their vessel and were later identified as victims of modern slavery.

Now, with the support of Stella Maris, who covered the cost of their flights, the men have been able to travel home for some respite with their families. For one of them, the return is especially joyful, he will be married during the visit.

“Stella Maris is absolutely thrilled that the seafarers have been reconnected with their families after such a long period of being apart. One of them will also get married making their return home more special,” said Tim Hill CEO of Stella Maris UK.

“This wonderful occasion is even more meaningful as we celebrate The Jubilee of Families in this Holy Year and Stella Maris is delighted to have played a part in giving the men some encouragement and hope,” he added.

After fleeing their vessel and seeking help, the fishers entered the UK National Referral Mechanism and were accommodated in a safe house. They were later rehoused and given permission to work, but their case is still being investigated by the authorities and they have been living in limbo since they fled their vessel.

Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers have supported the men throughout this time, offering pastoral care and practical assistance as they await progress in their case.

“Stella Maris continues to provide pastoral support to the men while they await justice and a resolution,” Tim said.

“Whilst the majority of the fishing industry provides a safe workplace for fishers, we continue to come across instances of exploitation and our modern slavery advocacy work, in collaboration with our partners, remains vitally important. All fishers need to be treated equally with respect and dignity,” he added.

Stella Maris Kenya is celebrating the arrival of a new van, made possible through generous funding from The Clarkson Foundation. This vehicle will enable the Stella Maris Kenya team to expand their vital outreach work, providing direct support to seafarers and fishers in some of Kenya’s most remote coastal and inland lake communities.

The new van will greatly improve Stella Maris Kenya’s ability to reach and assist Kenya’s remote seafaring and fishing communities across Mombasa Port, Lamu and Malindi Ports on the Indian Ocean, as well as Lake Naivasha, Lake Baringo and in Homa Bay on Lake Victoria. An estimated 9,500 seafarers and fishers each year will benefit, with the vehicle providing transport to welfare services, the seafarers’ centre, churches, medical facilities, and local amenities. With improved mobility, the Stella Maris Kenya team will also be able to respond swiftly to emergencies, ensuring seafarers and fishers receive urgent assistance when needed, strengthening Stella Maris’ ability to provide essential care and support.

“This is a great example of how the maritime industry can support seafarer welfare in a practical way. By working together, we can strengthen the vital services that organisations like Stella Maris provide, ensuring no seafarer or fisher is left without support” said Stella Maris UK CEO Tim Hill MBE.

Stella Maris Kenya National Director, Margaret Masibo, added, “We are overjoyed to receive this new van. Many of the seafarers and fishers we support live and work in remote areas, and this generous donation from The Clarkson Foundation means we can now serve seafarers and fishers more efficiently, reaching them wherever they are, when they need it most.”

As the world’s largest ship-visiting network, Stella Maris is dedicated to supporting seafarers, fishers, and their communities worldwide. In Kenya, it provides thousands of fishers and seafarers with essential services, including ship visiting, training, education, counselling support and emergency aid. It also plays a key role in advocating for fair and safe working conditions at sea.

Stella Maris is delighted to announce the blessing and opening of the new Stella Maris Southampton Seafarers’ Club on 26 November.

The new centre, managed by our Southampton and Southern Ports regional port chaplains Charles Stuart and Gregory Hogan and their team of fantastic volunteers, will provide a much needed warm and welcome haven for seafarers, as well as a hub for all charity ship visiting volunteers. A real home away home!

Seafarers can use the free Wi-Fi, get free hot beverages, watch TV, play pool and contact loved ones back home. Crews can also spend their time ashore visiting nearby shops, food outlets, supermarkets and bureau de change, all within a few minutes’ walk from the Seafarers’ Club. St. Joseph’s Church, located next door to the Club, offers seafarers in need of spiritual nourishment a space for quiet prayer and reflection.

The Seafarers’ Club is the culmination of an 18-month collaborative venture with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), The Seafarers’ Charity, The Mission to Seafarers and the Seamen’s Friendly Society of St Paul.

It was an honour to have the Club blessed by Bishop Phillip Egan, Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth and a formal ribbon cutting ceremony by all representatives from the maritime welfare charities directly involved.

Many seafarers still fear the stigma of speaking openly about their struggles while working at sea, so shipping needs to keep crew mental health and wellbeing high-up on its agenda, a leading global maritime charity has urged.

Stella Maris’ Life at Sea Report 2024 is launched today on World Mental Health Day. This year’s edition focuses on the importance of mental health in the maritime industry and the role played by hundreds of Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers around the globe to support the mental wellbeing of seafarers.

“Seafarers are tough, they have to be. Being part of a small crew is inherently challenging. The work is relentless, and emotions such as loneliness, fear and boredom are difficult to endure,” said Stella Maris CEO and National Director Tim Hill.

“But it can be hard for seafarers to talk about their worries. The fear of being judged or lowering morale among crew often keeps them silent. When seafarers are concerned about their families, they can feel powerless and isolated,” he added.

“At Stella Maris, we believe that face-to-face interaction makes a huge difference. A friend in port. A listening ear. A welcoming smile. When you ask seafarers about life at sea, they often say they miss the feeling of being connected. Human connection is what Stella Maris chaplains provide in their tens of thousands of ship visits each year.

And when crisis strikes, the value and impact of our chaplains’ support is even greater, providing a unique service to the world’s seafarers wherever they are.” he explained.

As with previous years, the Report features excellent case studies of how Stella Maris’ support has provided a lifeline for many seafarers caught up in crises.  It includes examples of Ukrainian seafarers anxious about their future and that of their families, seafarers worried about sailing through the current conflict zones of the Red Sea and the Black Sea, a case of a seafarer in emotional distress after being arrested, and a crew under enormous financial strain after not being paid for weeks.

The Report also highlights how Stella Maris’ partnership with the shipping industry including P&I Clubs, shipping companies and other welfare agencies, has been vital in helping to address and solve crews’ concerns.

“One of the most important things the industry can invest in is making sure seafarers continue to get caring, compassionate human contact,” says clinical psychologist Charles Watkins, who is featured in the Report.

“Stella Maris has chaplains around the world, in all cultures, and they have a really good feeling for culture and what that means for mental and physical health. These small things – going on board, chatting to crews, asking about their families – they are not small at all. They are huge. I’ve been on board vessels with Stella Maris chaplains and have seen for myself. This is significant, impactful work,” he added. 

Download Stella Maris’ 2024 Life At Sea Report here https://stellamaris.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Life-at-Sea-A4-Landscape-web.pdf