{"id":15732,"date":"2026-10-31T21:19:36","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T15:49:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missiontoseafarers.org\/colombo\/?post_type=news&p=15732"},"modified":"2026-10-31T21:19:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T15:49:36","slug":"october-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.missiontoseafarers.org\/colombo\/news\/october-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

October has been another busy and demanding month for the MtS Ship Welfare Visitor Team. It has also been a fantastic month for work output. Throughout the month, the team has had to contend with several less visible challenges while continuing to meet its responsibilities and expectations. Despite these demands, the staff have demonstrated commendable dedication, resilience, and commitment to the welfare of seafarers visiting the Port of Colombo.<\/p>\n

During the month, the team successfully resolved two of three welfare cases involving seafarers who wished to sign off their vessels and issues related to wage settlement. These matters were addressed through collaborative efforts with the National Union of Seafarers of Sri Lanka (NUSS), highlighting the importance of cooperation and coordination in resolving seafarers\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n

The team also responded to a distress call from a vessel stranded off Galle. With the intervention and assistance of the Harbour Master and the Senior Deputy Harbour Master, arrangements were eventually made to dispatch food and drinking water to the crew. This intervention demonstrated the importance of maintaining effective communication and working collaboratively to meet seafarers’ urgent needs, even in challenging circumstances.<\/p>\n

These activities reflect the MtS Ship Welfare Visitor Team’s broader commitment to providing practical assistance, safeguarding seafarers\u2019 welfare, and ensuring those serving at sea have access to support when they need it most.<\/p>\n

Ship Visiting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ship visiting remains the MtS Ship Welfare Visitor Team’s primary responsibility and a vital part of its mission to support seafarers. During October 2026, the team completed 158 ship visits<\/strong>, continuing its efforts to maintain contact with seafarers aboard vessels calling at the Port of Colombo.<\/p>\n

This achievement represents far more than a numerical target. It reflects the dedication, commitment, and sustained efforts of the ship welfare visitors, who regularly engage with seafarers in the demanding environment of port operations. Each ship visit offers an opportunity to identify welfare concerns, provide assistance, build trust, and develop meaningful relationships with crew members.<\/p>\n\n\t\t