Sea Sunday 2024
Derek Hansen reminds us of the importance of the work of the Mission to Seafarers, as we approach our annual Sea Sunday service.
Every year churches of all denominations celebrate Sea Sunday on the second Sunday in July. The Mission to Seafarers is one of the world’s largest providers of port-based welfare services who help support the world’s seafarers who bring us more than 90 per cent of everything we use and own. They operate in over 200 ports across 50 countries providing help and support to the 1.9 million men and women who face danger every day.
Some storms seafarers face can be global, like the Red Sea crisis or the war in Ukraine. Then there are record tsunamis and hurricanes and even modern-day piracy. But they can also be individual: sickness, unemployment, and bereavement. Even the simple stress of being separated from family can be the cause of mental and physical health issues
In the Red Sea the Houthis claim that they were targeting ships linked to Israel, the US, or Britain, but in fact they indiscriminately attacked the ships of many nations. From October 2023 to March 2024, 60 vessels were attacked and a number of crew killed. The Middle East and South Asia Mission teams are particularly engaged in tracking attacked ships and arranging visits in the next port of call.
Many ships, who were originally routed via the Suez Canal are having their itineraries altered and extended and the Missions global team have engaged with worried and impacted crew. More than 2,000 seafarers on some 150 ships were abandoned last year. Liaising with port authorities and providing justice, welfare and medical support in these and similar cases frequently involves lengthy and complex negotiations and repatriation of crew as well as providing support for their families at home.
Pastoral work at sea
43,2235 ships were visited in 2023. Nearly 150,000 Seafarers visited the Seafarers Centres and over 58,000 SIM cards were provided to Seafarers to enable them to get help, and keep in touch with their families and friends.
Amongst all of this the ordinary challenges of seafaring continue. A ship arrived in North East England last year with 22 seafarers on board. It was a routine visit which included taking on board some hats and scarves there were part of the one Metric Tonne of knitting distributed last year
It was soon clear that the crew was under huge mental and physical strain. One confided that, during the voyage from the USA, he had only been getting two hours sleep a night because he was so stressed and overworked. He was also concerned that the crew were no longer able to operate the vessel safely as they were all exhausted.
The relevant authorities were contacted and a vessel detention notice was served that afternoon. As a result, the seafarers were able to go ashore for the first time in many months and spent time relaxing at the seafarers’ centre in the port. 11 of the crew were repatriated to the Philippines later that month.
The Mission tells me that never has your support been more necessary or more deeply appreciated.
