Tag: Ukraine

Stella Maris launches Ukraine Financial Resilience Training programme

Leading global maritime charity Stella Maris is proactively engaging in helping to rebuild the lives of Ukrainian seafarers and their families, torn apart by the ongoing war with Russia, by launching a financial resilience training programme for them.

With the potential to financially empower 150,000 Ukrainian people in the maritime sector including their families, the programme is part-funded (50%) by Stella Maris UK. It will be delivered by Stella Maris Ukraine in partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Business Incubator Group Ukraine, and others. 

The course will cover the basics of personal finance, future financial planning, managing income, expenses and savings, and a guide to pensions.

Ukraine’s maritime environment has faced unprecedented destruction in recent years. The war has devastated the country’s sports, education, transport industry, shipbuilding, and, of course, the Navy. Ukrainian seafarers are taken captive, killed, injured, or lose the ability to work at sea, while port workers continue their duties under constant missile attacks.

Ukrainian seafarers and their families have suffered significant deteriorations in their financial situations because of the war, either while at sea, or ashore at home, or in a second country as refugees. The upheaval and the associated additional living costs – and the loss of income caused by the war – have all put significant financial pressure on seafarers and their families.  This has also added to their stress, impacting their mental wellbeing. 

With this in mind, Stella Maris Ukraine has in the last year, taken the lead in restoring the country’s maritime environment as a unified sector. It creates a safe and trustworthy space for all people of the sea – from seafarers arriving at the port of Odesa under the sound of sirens and missile strikes – to the families of fallen and captured military personnel.

Stella Maris UK CEO Tim Hill said, “Through the financial resilience programme, Stella Maris Ukraine will offer Ukrainian seafarers a set of online courses to better manage their finances, in the context of their unique position caused by the war. The course is also seen as a first step in ‘rebuilding after the war’, by ensuring that seafarers are equipped with the skills necessary to respond when peace returns.”

“Focusing on post conflict skills is a powerful way to encourage seafarers and their families to engage in other training and activities by giving them hope of a brighter future,” he added.

Tim Hill

Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy of Stella Maris Ukraine, said, “We are delighted and grateful to Stella Maris UK and other funders for providing financial support and directional expertise in setting up this much-needed programme. It will go a long way towards helping to rebuild the lives of thousands of seafarers and their families devastated by the war. This programme will not only equip participants with financial skills, but also give their morale and confidence a boost looking ahead to the future.

In addition to this financial literacy programme, Stella Maris Ukraine is implementing a range of projects including mental and financial support for sailors, and assistance to families. This is not just help, but a response to the challenges the local population faces daily. The work of Stella Maris Ukraine helps the Ukrainian maritime community to stay composed and effective in the most difficult conditions.

Fr Alexander added: “We still face many challenges, including de-mining the sea. Relying on the support and experience of our British colleagues, we are laying the foundation for Ukraine’s future as a strong maritime nation. Under the pressure of war, we are creating a new course that will make our maritime environment stronger than ever before.”

Fr Alexander

Stella Maris commits long-term funding to support seafarers at risk in Ukraine

  • Stella Maris will fund support for seafarers in Odesa for as long as it is needed.
  • UK corporates Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation and UK P&I Club step up to provide urgent financial support.
  • Ship crews navigating Russian Black Sea threats face extreme pressure.
  • Ukrainian seafarers and families face financial hardships.

Leading maritime charity Stella Maris is committing funding “for as long as it takes” to provide urgent support to the thousands of seafarers in Ukraine and those regularly making the perilous journey to and from its Black Sea ports.

Seafarers working on vessels that have to navigate Russian threats through the Black Sea face numerous challenges, not least mental health issues associated with life-threatening risks.

And in Ukraine itself, seafarers have not been able to work for more than two years because of the country’s wartime rules, often creating financial hardships.

Stella Maris Odesa port chaplain, Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, and Rostyslav
Inzhestoikov, assistant port chaplain, with a seafarer.

“There is a long-term need to support seafarers in Ukraine and we have committed to cover the core running costs of the Stella Maris team based in the Ukraine Black Sea Port of Odesa for as long as it takes,” said Tim Hill, the charity’s CEO.

“We are providing active support and sending a clear message of solidarity that the maritime sector has not forgotten Ukraine nor the issues seafarers are facing.”

Companies in the maritime industry are already stepping up to provide funding. UK P&I Club and Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation have together provided sufficient funds to cover the Odesa team’s core running costs for 2024.

“We are very grateful to these two organisations, which have identified the urgent need for ongoing support after two and a half years of war,” said Ian Stokes, Head of Corporate Engagement and Partnerships at Stella Maris.

“We are the only maritime charity team on the ground in Odesa and the support of Baltic Exchange Charitable Foundation and UK P&I Club enables us to provide a wide range of support from trauma counselling and ship visits to grants towards medication, heating and other household costs.”

Patrick Ryan, Sustainability Director and Head of Club Secretariat for Thomas Miller P&I Ltd said, “The UK P&I Club recognises that war in Ukraine has increased the demands on Stella Maris to support seafarers operating in that region, whilst also harming the charity’s ability to raise funds locally.  The Club is, therefore, delighted to be able to provide financial support to enable Stella Maris to keep up its vital work in Odesa.”

In addition to Ukrainian seafarers and their families, Stella Maris supports a large number of seafarers of different nationalities who come into Odesa and other ports.

“Often they cannot get off their ships because of the risk so we go on board and support them in any way we can,” said Jonathan Heard, Head of Major Gifts, Stella Maris.

“Often what they need is just the ability to talk to someone they can trust. But these seafarers are under a lot of pressure. They are working in a war zone. Some will witness missile and bomb explosions nearby; others will see armed drones. In these situations, we regularly see an uptick in the need for faith and spiritual support as well as trauma counselling, which we also provide.”

* Words by Polaris Media

Seafarers face mounting risks running the Red and Black Sea gauntlet

Leading maritime charity Stella Maris is warning of the growing dangers facing crew members running the gauntlet of the world’s most perilous shipping route.

The seafarers are working on vessels travelling to Ukraine via the Red then the Black Sea, navigating Houthi and Russian military threats as they sail through two major conflict zones.

Stella Maris is one of the few seafarer charities with chaplains based in Ukraine, carrying out ship visits from the southern port city of Odesa. Here they work with seafarers on the frontline, witnessing the impact it is having on them.

The seafarers face the threat of Houthi missiles, drone attacks and raiding parties in the Red Sea. And once they enter the Black Sea the danger levels remain high, with the collapse of a ‘grain corridor ‘agreement in July 2023 heightening the tension.

Shortly after the collapse of the deal allowing Ukraine to ship grain, it was reported that the Russian military would regard any vessel bound for Ukraine to be a potential carrier of military cargo, in effect making it a legitimate target.

Houthis from Yemen resumed their attacks on shipping last week, firing missiles and drones. Since last November they have targeted more than 80 merchant ships.

Stella Maris also highlights that safe arrival in port offers little or no respite from jeopardy for seafarers.

Russian drone and missile attacks on the strategically vital Ukrainian port of Odesa occur regularly, with devastating consequences – claiming human casualties and destroying infrastructure.

The charity’s chaplains in the port report high levels of stress and anxiety among many of the seafarers on ships that dock there.

Stella Maris Odesa port chaplain Father Alexander Smerechynskyy, known as ‘Fr Alex’, and Rostyslav ‘Rostik’ Inzhestoikov, director of its local centre, make regular visits to ships that arrive in the port.

Fr Alex and Rostik on one of their ship visits

Here they hear first-hand the experiences of the international community of seafarers working on the vessels, drawn from countries ranging from Syria and Turkey to, Egypt and Indonesia.

With many shipowners not allowing crew members to go ashore during their time in port, for security reasons, these visits are proving increasingly important in countering feelings of isolation and loneliness among seafarers.

The ship visits resumed in January last year, after being banned at the start of the conflict for safety reasons. During that time, the Stella Maris team ensured the practical delivery of food parcels to seafarers trapped on ships in the Black Sea, as well as using social media for remote pastoral support.

Fr Alex says the resumed visits have a big role to play in supporting seafarers living and working in dangerous conditions. He explained: “One of the most important things we do is to listen, to show them they are not forgotten and that we are here for them, whatever their troubles or problems.

“Having someone independent from the ship to talk to in confidence can really help them.”

He added: “Some of the seafarers have travelled through the conflict area of the Red Sea, with its risks of attacks from Houthis, then have travelled onto the Black Sea with its own dangers, given there is no agreement on maritime safety.

“They have signed on knowing the risks and receive additional pay as a result, but there is no respite for them and that has an effect. Once here in Odesa they can witness the drone attacks on the port and the town at close hand.”

Rostik recalls talking to one seafarer shortly after they had witnessed one of those attacks close to where their ship was docked. He said: “When you look up and see a drone just a few hundreds of metres from a ship, or see an explosion close by, it is little wonder it adds to the stress and anxiety you are feeling.

“Not being able to go ashore can also have a negative impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing, especially after large periods of time at sea. It can be a very difficult time for them.”

Stella Maris Ukraine organises Mass on board for seafarers

It is not only visiting seafarers that are experiencing difficulties and who are in need of Stella Maris’ support.

The charity, which has had a base in Odesa for 20 years, is also hard at work helping and supporting local Ukrainian seafarers who are facing an increasingly difficult situation.

They are unable to join a ship and go to sea because of Ukraine’s wartime rules, which mean adult men cannot leave the country without receiving special permission.

Rostik said: “It means that they haven’t been able to work at sea for more than two years and many have found it extremely difficult to get a job onshore to support themselves and their families.

“It is not an easy situation to be in and it is taking its toll on people who are feeling increasingly powerless.”

The situation, coupled with the impact of more than two years of war on their community, has piled the pressure on those seafarers, leading to increasing stress levels and signs of loneliness and depression.

Fr Alex and Rostik continue to provide both spiritual and practical support to these seafarers and their families in what are desperate times.

They have run soup kitchens to provide much-needed meals. Through Stella Maris’ Centenary Emergency Fund, the charity has also provided grants to hundreds of needy Ukrainian seafarers and their families.

It has also set up a digital emergency mental health counselling service, which exists to provide relief for some of the increasing number of men, women and children suffering trauma and poor mental health because of the ongoing and relentless war.

* Story written by Polaris Media

Stella Maris warns of increased levels of depression and anxiety among Ukrainian seafarers

Seafarer charity Stella Maris is warning that Ukrainian seafarers are experiencing increased levels of loneliness and depression amid fears of conscription if they return home as the war enters its third year.

Stella Maris regional port chaplains for Southampton and Southern ports, Charles Stuart and Gregory Hogan, who make multiple daily ship visits report Ukrainian seafarers are under increasing strain.

“The initial stresses have been replaced by something else,” Gregory says. “At first there was the shock of the invasion for Ukrainians and real worry about whether family and friends could get out of dangerous areas. Now there is dealing with the compounded pressure of more than two years of war. It is a deeply depressing and worrying situation with no end in sight. In addition, there is the very real fear of being conscripted into the army if they return home.”

He said that improved WiFi access can create more anxiety and feelings of helplessness when seafarers access media and war reports.

“I met a captain who came in and then started crying,” Hogan says, “His mother in law was in one of the areas being bombed and he hadn’t heard from her, yet he was also having to take charge of his ship. We see that many of the seafarers can be exhausted. They can access so much information online now, more than ever before, and have access to distressing often graphic news reports.

“But while they can access the latest news, they feel powerless to do anything about it. The ability to stay in touch can also lead to anxiety. We have seen seafarers deeply distressed because they haven’t heard from their wife or partner or parents in 24 hours. They might worry about this all night and then have to work the next morning in an exhausting role.”

Gregory further reports growing fears of conscription among the younger generation of seafarers.

“We speak to many who feel they have no option but to keep working,” he reveals. “They feel they cannot return to Ukraine for fear of being conscripted yet some still have relatives in Ukraine, who they dearly want to visit, but again there is that fear of conscription should they go back. They have no option but to work continually in a challenging, often lonely role.”

Charles, meanwhile, said that the need to keep working and being confined to ship for lengthy periods is taking a huge toll.

“We regularly meet seafarers who may not be able to go ashore for many weeks or even months, which is harmful to their mental health and wellbeing, especially if they have signed a contract to work on board for nine months at a time,” he said. “We must all as an industry the seafarer charities, ship operators and captains try and tackle this pattern. We learned from covid spending long periods on ships is just not healthy. Shore leave is essential. And having someone independent from the ship to talk to in confidence, like Stella Maris, is equally vital.”

Gregory recounted the story of a crew member who he sat down with during lunch.

“I knew he could only have an hour at most,” he recalls. “I kept asking, should I go, I am imposing. And he said ‘no, I can eat this in 30 seconds. I am enjoying having someone different to talk to.”

The chaplains said many ships visiting UK ports are still operating both Russian and Ukrainian crew, with no option but to work as a team.

“A common response is ‘we are seafarers, we conduct ourselves properly. We don’t let world events impact our working relationships,” Charles says. “Still it’s not ideal for the mental health of the crew when there is so much tension already about the conflict. And there are rules against talking about the war which can bottle feelings up.”

Gregory adds there are no winners as the conflict continues, with Russian crew members facing challenges too.

“The Russian crews can have concerns about the war and fear speaking out,” he says. “One captain took me aside and on his computer showed me how his pension had been destroyed, and he blamed Putin. He was incredibly angry that the savings on which his parents’ healthcare relied had been wiped out.”

* Story written by Polaris Media

A Day of prayer for Ukraine

In response to the call from Pope Francis, Stella Maris chaplains, volunteers and staff from around the world are joining together in prayer for peace in Ukraine.

A prayer service was held at 11 am on Facebook. Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, Stella Maris Ukraine National Director and port chaplain in Odessa, joined us. You can view this service above.

Fr Antony, Regional Port Chaplain for the Forth and Clyde ports, will offer Mass at 7 pm for the intentions of seafarers and their families who have been affected by the current situation in Ukraine.

Please, if you can, join us as we come together in prayer for Ukraine.

Join the 7 pm Mass Live here

New vehicle to boost our vital work in Ukraine

Stella Maris is pleased to announce the deployment of a new vehicle for its chaplaincy and ship-visiting work in Ukraine, funded by leading mutual insurer, the UK P&I Club.

The vehicle, a Renault Express van, will be used to carry out vital ship-visiting work in Odesa and along the Black Sea coast, as well as deliver financial aid to out-of-work Ukrainian seafarers and their families, and support port workers, retired seafarers and their families in the region.

Stella Maris has maintained a physical presence in Ukraine throughout the war and this new vehicle provides a significant boost to its operational efficiency and morale. The vehicle will enhance the charity’s work supporting seafarers and their families and allow its chaplaincy team to extend their outreach as the war in Ukraine continues.

“We are very grateful to the UK P&I Club for stepping forward to fully fund the purchase of a vehicle that is essential for the work of our chaplaincy team in Odesa. The team continues to support seafarers and their families in desperate times and the new vehicle is already being put to great use in Ukraine, led by our local port chaplain Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, and assistant chaplain Rostyslav Inzhestoikov.

“This is an excellent example of how financial support from our corporate partners and the shipping industry helps ensure that we can go that extra mile in the support we provide to those affected by crisis.” said Stella Maris CEO Tim Hill MBE.

Patrick Ryan Sustainability Director and Head of Club Secretariat from UK P&I Club commented:The Club has a firm commitment to a range of maritime charities including Stella Maris.  The life of a seafarer can be incredibly tough at the best of times, but during war, the challenges facing these individuals increase exponentially.  Despite the obvious operational hurdles caused by the conflict, Stella Maris has never wavered in its commitment to Ukrainian seafarers and their families and we’re proud to be able to support them to continue to deliver support in these communities.”

Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, Stella Maris port chaplain in Odesa, added: “This wonderful donation from UK P&I has made a massive difference, not just to our operations but also to our morale. We can now be much more effective and impactful, the sheer value of knowing we are supported and not forgotten after 19 months of war is beyond measure.”

Stella Maris’ response to the war in Ukraine

Stella Maris is the maritime agency of the Catholic church and is physically present and actively working in Ukraine to support seafarers and their families.

Since February 2022, Stella Maris has provided accommodation in Poland for 150 refugees displaced by the war, provided hardship grants to over 400 families affected by the war and distributed food parcels to retired seafarers, port workers and their dependants around Ukraine. It has also facilitated the distribution of over 3,000 mobile phone SIM cards across Europe to Ukrainians and other seafarers affected by the war, to ensure they can continue to maintain contact with loved ones back home.

In late 2022, Stella Maris launched a digital emergency mental health counselling service in Ukraine, to provide relief for some of the increasing number of men, women and children suffering trauma and poor mental health because of the war.  

Stella Maris joins call to free seafarers stuck in Ukraine ports

We are pleased to join other members of the international shipping industry in urging the United Nations to help evacuate 331 seafarers still trapped on vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

In a joint letter of which we are signatory, 32 organisations have called on His Excellency António Guterres, United Nations Secretary General, to use his diplomatic influence, to address this matter urgently and evacuate all remaining seafarers and ships.

For our part, Stella Maris, through our chaplains in Odesa continue to provide pastoral and practical support to seafarers trapped in Ukraine. We recently resumed ship visits on board. For more details go here.

Here is the content of the letter.

20 February 2023
For the attention of His Excellency António Guterres
United Nations Secretary General
United Nations Headquarters
E 46th St & 1st Ave
New York 10017
United States of America

Joint open letter on seafarers still trapped in Ukraine

Re: Shipping industry call for help to evacuate the 300+ seafarers still trapped in Ukraine ports

Your Excellency Secretary-General Guterres,

As we approach one year since the start of the war in Ukraine, the co-signatories of this letter write
to you to highlight the 331 seafarers still trapped on vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. We call
on the United Nations, and on your diplomatic influence, to address this matter urgently and
evacuate all remaining seafarers and ships.

Our seafarers are the heart of our industry and cannot be forgotten. For 12 months now they have
been caught up in a crisis far beyond their control. Simply doing their jobs cannot come at the
expense of their lives.

We recognise and celebrate the United Nations, and your leadership, for the Black Sea Grain
Initiative that the UN successfully brokered with Türkiye between Ukraine and Russia. This has
allowed safe passage of critical grain and fertiliser shipments from Ukraine to populations most in
need, and curbed food prices from spiralling out of control. We are committed to supporting the
continued success of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, however this cannot come at the expense of
innocent seafarers’ lives. Action must be taken now.

Without our seafarers, movement of the vital grain shipments out of Ukrainian ports would not have
been possible. While there are challenges to evacuating seafarers and their ships, it must
nonetheless be a top priority. Otherwise, we risk the lives of our seafarers, and this is unacceptable.

Yours faithfully,

A copy of the letter with the full list of signatories to the letter can be found in this document.

Ship visiting resumes in Ukraine

Global maritime charity Stella Maris is pleased to announce that it has resumed regular ship visits in the port of Odesa in war-torn Ukraine, after almost a year of not being able to do so due to security and safety concerns.

On Tuesday, 24th January, the charity’s port chaplain Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, and assistant chaplain Rostyslav Inzhestoikov, were granted special permission to go on board ships. With a military escort at all times, they were able to pay very welcome visits to seafarers who have been alone on their vessels in Odesa for many long months.

“Rostik and I are delighted that Stella Maris has been granted permission to visit ships once again in the port of Odesa,” said Fr Alexander.

Stella Maris is physically present and actively working in Ukraine to support seafarers and their families.

Fr Alex and Rostik preparing to ship visit in Odesa port on 24th January

During the months that they were not allowed to visit ships, Fr Alex and Rostik have been supporting seafarers in many other ways, including ensuring the delivery of food parcels to seafarers trapped on ships in the Black Sea. They have been providing spiritual and pastoral support remotely to Ukrainian seafarers on ships around the world through messages broadcast via social media.

Through Stella Maris’ Centenary Emergency Fund, Fr Alex and Rostik have also been providing tens of thousands of pounds in urgent life-saving grants to hundreds of Ukrainian seafarers and their families in need of immediate assistance as a result of the war.

They also ran a soup kitchen to help families of seafarers in Odesa and helped organise safe places of refuge for Ukrainian seafarers finishing contracts overseas and their families fleeing the country.

Late last year Stella Maris launched a psychological support service for seafarers and their families in Ukraine. The programme provides medium to long-term support from professional psychologists in Ukraine, and delivers remote, ongoing psychological support for those most in need.

Stella Maris is the world’s largest ship-visiting network. The importance of a personal visit from the charity’s chaplains and volunteers, and the impact of the human touch on seafarers’ mental health and wellbeing cannot be over-estimated.

Seafarers, especially those working in conditions of heightened anxiety and stress, appreciate seeing a friendly face, ready to offer support and a listening ear. It reminds seafarers that they are not forgotten amid the horrors of the war.

New mental health support service for Ukrainian seafarers and families

The Stella Maris chaplain and volunteers still operating in Odesa are facing increasing demands for mental health support from Ukrainian seafarers and their families suffering trauma, worry and fear during the ongoing war.

The Stella Maris Seafarers Support Service, a new programme of medium to long term support from professional psychologists in Ukraine, is now being put in place. The platform will provide a programme of remote, ongoing psychological consultation for those most in need.

International law firm HFW has very kindly agreed to fund the first tranche of this programme by sponsoring Stella Maris on Monday 10 October – World Mental Health Day. 

Paul Dean, Global Head of Shipping and Senior Mental Health Champion at HFW, said: “Seafarers already have one of the toughest jobs on the planet – a life at sea can mean months away from loved ones, long hours, and some of the roughest weather imaginable. But those in Ukraine have also been living with the terrible realities of war, while bravely continuing the vital role all seafarers play in enabling global trade. We are proud to be helping Stella Maris in providing them with much-needed mental health support.”

Stella Maris UK CEO Martin Foley added: “The trauma of living in a war zone, with sporadic missile and drone attacks, cannot be overestimated. Many seafarers have also been separated from their families which has added to their anxiety. This project will ensure seafarers and their families can take mental health action at a critical time and we offer our sincere thanks to HFW on their behalf.” 

Stella Maris helps reunite Ukrainian captain with family fleeing war

Just before Christmas, our East Anglia regional port chaplain Julian Wong facilitated a last-minute day trip into London for the Ukrainian captain of a container vessel. Fast forward to March, and the captain brought his vessel back into Felixstowe.

His wife and daughter were fleeing war-torn Ukraine and desperately seeking accommodation in Poland. Julian met the captain again and informed him that that Fr Edward Pracz, Stella Maris Poland national director, had opened a refugee centre in Gdynia for seafarers and their families.

The captain immediately rang Fr Edward who confirmed he could accommodate the family. He then contacted his wife and daughter who made their way to Gdynia to join 50 other seafarers and their families under Fr Edward’s wing.

A great story in itself – but it doesn’t end there. Late last month, the captain’s ship was scheduled to call in Hamburg, Germany, so arrangements were made for the captain to be reunited with his family in port.

The captain’s family drove nearly 9 hours across Poland and Germany to Hamburg, where port chaplain Monica Döring from Stella Maris Hamburg Catholic seafarers’ mission had arranged overnight accommodation for them.

The next morning Monica drove them into the port to be on the quayside as the captain guided his vessel in. They were then reunited after 7 months apart and were able to spend a joyous day and night together as a family again before the vessel departed the following day.

In an often very dark world, Stella Maris’s international network helps to ensure small rays of light shine through on seafarers and their families.