About our charity
The Mission to Seafarers provides help to the 1.89 million people who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat.
What is a seafarer
Support for anyone working in the seafaring industry
Our impact
Providing help for seafarers in over 200 ports around the world.
Our issues
Multiple issues effect Seafarers everyday, learn how we help
Our people
Learn more about the staff that make change happen
Careers
Impacts on the lives of people across the world
Publications
Explore our latest publications, reports, and stories showcasing the impact of our work.
Back
About our charity
The Mission to Seafarers provides help to the 1.89 million people who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat.
What is a seafarer
Support for anyone working in the seafaring industry
Our impact
Providing help for seafarers in over 200 ports around the world.
Our issues
Multiple issues effect Seafarers everyday, learn how we help
Our people
Learn more about the staff that make change happen
Careers
Impacts on the lives of people across the world
Publications
Explore our latest publications, reports, and stories showcasing the impact of our work.
Where can I get help?
We are here for you 24/7
Download our app
The first digital seafarers’ centre in your pocket.
Find a port
We’re located in over 200 ports in 50 different countries
Family network
Learn more about the community we’re building for seafarers’ families
The Sea
The latest maritime news and safety information for seafarers.
WeCare
An initiative designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers
Training
We have a range of e-learning for seafarers and their families
Seafarers happiness index
A platform for seafarers to share their views and be a catalyst for change
Contact our Chaplaincy team
Support for anyone working in the seafaring industry
Back
Where can I get help?
We are here for you 24/7
Download our app
The first digital seafarers’ centre in your pocket
Find a port
We’re located in over 200 ports in 50 different countries
Family network
Learn more about the community we’re building for seafarers’ families
The Sea
The latest maritime news and safety information for seafarers.
WeCare
An initiative designed to improve the mental health and wellbeing of seafarers
Training
We have a range of e-learning for seafarers and their families
Seafarers happiness index
A platform for seafarers to share their views and be a catalyst for change
Contact our Chaplaincy team
Support for anyone working in the seafaring industry
Make a donation
With your help we can be there for everyone that needs us
Events
Learn more about our global programme of events
Legacy
Support us with a legacy gift.
Back
Make a donation
With your help we can be there for everyone that needs us
Events
Learn more about our global programme of events
Legacy
Support us with a legacy gift.
Charity calls on Singapore's maritime community to help fund vital seafarer welfare services for the next century. London, 14 July 2026 - The Mission to Seafarers Singapore (MtSS) has launched a Centenary Appeal, a fund...
The Oases We Forget: What Seafarers Still Need in a World of Trade In Newfoundland, where a new Mission to Seafarers centre has quietly opened its doors, or in Timaru, where a long-standing welfare team has joined the g...
Switzerland, 30th June 2026 - The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has raised $506,000 with $336,000 to go towards core work at its inaugural Maritime Mountain Race. The landmark fundraising event that brought together 32 team...
Today is Day of the Seafarer, a moment to pause and reflect on the 1.89 million men and women whose work makes modern life possible. This year’s theme, “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks,” could not feel mo...
The Q1 2026 Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) from The Mission to Seafarers has revealed a quarter of two halves. What began as an initial period of stabilisation was abruptly overturned by the outbreak of conflict in the ...
"You can never say the same thing twice." It has the cadence of something inherited, doesn't it — a fragment of ancient wisdom perhaps, half-remembered from a philosopher whose name we recognise but seldom revisit. ...
Landmark event at the Yacht club of Greece marks a new chapter in seafarer welfare support with HRH The Princess Royal as guest of honour Athens, Greece, 28 May 2026 - The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), one of the world's ...
Acclaimed maritime leader and Chartered Master Mariner to steer renowned seafarer welfare charity LONDON, 30 April 2026 - The Mission to Seafarers is pleased to announce the appointment of Guy Platten as its new Chair. ...
Forgotten Streams There's a particular moment on my walk through London to the offices of The Mission to Seafarers that has become, over time, a gently persistent metaphor. It happens as I pass a disused public water fo...
New index extends the Seafarers Happiness framework to shore-based maritime professionals LONDON, 28 April 2026 - The Mission to Seafarers, the global maritime welfare charity and publisher of the Seafarers Happiness ...
A chance to recognise those who go above and beyond for seafarers worldwide LONDON, 13th April 2026 - The Mission to Seafarers, a leading seafarers’ welfare charity, is now accepting nominations for its prestigious In...
There are moments when the world remembers the sea. Not the romanticised sea of postcards and sunsets, but the working ocean – the one that carries almost everything we own, eat, wear or rely upon. It is a remembering...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), a leading international maritime welfare charity, continues to provide vital support on the ground to seafarers in the Gulf region, thousands of whom are stranded as military tensions disr...
Birdsong Beneath Broken Windows A sparrow – I think it was a sparrow – perched on a flower arrangement a little way off, fixing me with a look that suggested he had seen hundreds of people like me before breakfast a...
From safety to sightseeing, seafarers from across the world share their thoughts on the topic on everyone’s lips: shore leave. “A ship can be repaired in dry dock, but a sailor is restored on shore. Leave is the ess...
When Tom O’Hare was invited to speak at the International Maritime Human Factors Symposium (IMFS) in December, his presentation on SafeTALK, the world renowned suicide alertness course, demonstrated the broader benefit...
At the crossroads of three oceans, Australia depends on the sea. Yet the men and women who keep trade moving remain largely invisible. Australasia is vast, and so is the Mission’s reach. To put it in perspective, that...
A lack of shore leave remains the number one concern for seafarers. Ben Bailey, the Mission’s Director of Programme, examines why this trend cannot be ignored. Brutally short port stays, ramped-up security protocols, ...
For those who call the ocean their workplace, every day brings change – unpredictable weather, new regulations, and shifting schedules. As seafarers reflect on the past 12 months, they also share moments of profound be...
The final quarter of 2025 saw seafarer wellbeing stabilise after a turbulent year, though the data points to persistent structural pressures shaping life at sea. London, 28 January 2026 – The latest Seafarers Happines...
There are conversations one senses are coming before they arrive, the kind you would rather sidestep but cannot. They bring with them a queasy mix of reluctance and inevitability: a tired awareness that, however much you...
London, 04 December 2025 – The Mission to Seafarers held its annual ‘Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols’ this week at All Hallows by the Tower in London, followed by a reception at Trinity House. The gathering b...
A Voice from Behind The Mission to Seafarers centre in Melbourne is the sort of building that shouldn’t really exist anymore. Not in the middle of a city where glass towers climb higher each year and heritage can seem...
Hong Kong, 18th November 2025: The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) in Hong Kong proudly hosted a Grand Opening Ceremony and Cocktail Reception for The Mariners - a landmark development on Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui waterfron...
One year into the role of Secretary General, Peter Rouch reflects on encounters that have revealed both the strengths of the Mission and the fresh challenges within the industry. Earlier this year in The Philippines, I ...
From Newfoundland to the Northwest Passage, The Mission to Seafarers is reaching new ports in Canada. Regional Director Eric Phinney and outgoing Director Judith Alltree share exciting updates. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle on...
From Baltimore to Busan, our ports around the world share how they bring Christmas joy to seafarers who cannot be home for the holidays. Baltimore, USA Christmas in Baltimore brings the entire community together. With ...
Seafarers from across the world share what inspired them to join the maritime industry and what they value most about their work. Financial stability For many, the greatest motivation is providing for their families. A...
Thomas Morrow, Port Chaplain in Houston, explains some of the more creative ways he's found to connect with seafarers, breaking down barriers and building trust. The reality for seafarers today is that time ashore is sc...
The annual ceremony in Singapore honours exceptional dedication to seafarer welfare Singapore, 04 November – The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), a leading international seafarer welfare charity, is delighted to announce t...
Seafarers' happiness declines as the Mission to Seafarers warns of deepening strain across the workforce Q3 results present a stark reality check as deep-rooted challenges resurface across all criteria October 2025 -...
Welcome in the Red Dust Port Hedland is not the sort of place that makes an easy first impression. I’m writing from a low table in a small, sun-bleached house near the port, where the air hums with the scent of sal...
London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW) once again brought together the global maritime community to reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. For The Mission to Seafarers, the week was marke...
English isn’t English I was moderating a panel on maritime decarbonisation in Dubai recently when I realised, somewhere between a question on propulsion systems and a polite laugh, that I hadn’t followed much of wha...
The news comes as Mission to Seafarers offers SafeTALK training sessions in London, Houston and Manila, to mark International Suicide Prevention Day 2025 The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has partnered with Pacific Basin S...
Shore Leave - Squeezing the Balloon Shore leave has long been a defining and highly valued aspect of seafaring life. However, within the past decade, and particularly in recent years, opportunities for shore leave have ...
Q2 survey shows another quarter of crew satisfaction, though safety, training and manning problems continue LONDON, 11 August 2025 - The Q2 2025 Seafarers Happiness Index, published by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals ...
“There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people." Howard Zin (Jewish American Historian 1922-2010) I came across these words some years ago when a USA-led international coalition was en...
John Attenborough reflects on a 30-year career that has taken him from a windswept port in northeast England to sunny Cyprus where he is now Regional Director for the Middle East and South Asia. It was 1995, and I sta...
What began as a work trip became something far deeper for Nina , Edy, the Mission’s Communications Manager, as she experienced the strength and solidarity of the seafaring community in the Philippines. I thought I...
Port Giles may be small, but it’s full of heart. On the South Australian coast, lay chaplain June Harrison explains how she has become a surrogate grandma for the seafarers who travel through. What is Port Giles...
Women remain a minority in the maritime industry, but the Mission’s female chaplains are using their unique skills to ensure there is equity in care, empathy, and support. Beyond the Stereotypes Life at sea is ...
Like a living, breathing creature, the network of port stations through which MtS does much of its work is always developing, expanding as well as sometimes contracting. It was a recent privilege to visit a new port oper...
Today, on June 25th, we mark the International Maritime Organization’s Day of the Seafarer, a day to recognise and give thanks to the 1.9 million men and women whose dedication keeps the world moving. This year, we joi...
Entries open for a new endurance event in the Swiss Alps, bringing together professionals from across shipping to raise awareness and funds for seafarers’ wellbeing. International seafarer welfare charity The Mission ...
Last month, The Mission to Seafarers was proud to launch OceanCare, a new global welfare initiative developed in partnership with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) to support the wellbeing of MOL’s seafarers working in s...
I’m writing this blog the day after the Roman Catholic Church announced a new Pope, Leo XIV. While I’m not Catholic, I was struck by the interviews with those who had travelled to Rome to await the announcement. Mos...
With 55% of global tonnage estimated to be represented and 100 teams racing, The Mission to Seafarers’ most successful fundraising challenge to date showcased the maritime community’s commitment to seafarer welfare. ...
Q1 survey shows stabilisation of crew satisfaction, though problems persist such as maintenance backlogs on older ships which force difficult prioritisation decisions. The Mission to Seafarers' latest edition of its qua...
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant shift in global work patterns, especially for office workers, as many jobs transitioned to remote digital work. This change was more feasible in wealthier countries with better...
The Adventure Race Japan (ARJ) is back, bigger and bolder than ever! In its second edition, we’ve reached an incredible milestone of 100 teams from around the world who are set to take on this year’s exhilarating cha...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), a leading international seafarers welfare charity, is now accepting nominations for its prestigious international Seafarers Awards 2025, taking place in Singapore, with a closing deadline ...
As I am writing this month’s blog, I am aware that I am not attending an event hosted by a leading maritime legal firm. It is about the potential impacts for shipping of the recent outbreak of tariffs and counter-tarif...
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has recently publicised details of an alarming rise in ship abandonments. Abandonment will be familiar to many MtS people, but probably not to all. It occurs when ...
Every thought in mind for a January blog was put to flight by news that the crew of the Galaxy Leader, held captive for over a year, have at last been released to return home. We have not spoken of it publicly but, sinc...
Survey reveals growing frustration as restrictive port policies hinder access to shore leave for seafarers, affecting well-being and morale. The Mission to Seafarers has today published the results of the latest Seafare...
The release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader is a moment of profound relief. Not only for the hostages and their families, but for everyone who has supported them throughout this ordeal, whether through prayers, advocacy...
As the year edges closer to its end, this month’s edition of Port News highlights the tireless efforts of The Mission to Seafarers in providing care, advocacy, and support to maritime workers worldwide. From respondin...
A few months ago, my mind was drawn to some words of the American writer Ernest Hemmingway. I have been reflecting on them as Advent has gathered around me, and I spoke of them recently to our guests at the annual Missi...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) hosted its annual ‘Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols’ this week. Held at All Hallows by the Tower Church in London, the carol service was followed by a reception at Trinity House. ...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has commemorated 10 years of dedicated service to seafarers and their families in the Philippines. From its humble beginnings as a volunteer-led initiative in partnership with the Philippi...
Earlier this year, the Mission's Middle East and South Asia (MESA) Region hosted a conference, which included a session on how to plan and prepare for successful ship visits. Led by Regional Director Revd. John Attenbor...
In a recent interview, our Regional Director for the Oceania and Pacific region, Revd. Lance Lukin, shares insights into the region’s unique challenges and successes. In the Oceania and Pacific region, listen out for ...
I wonder if those readers who have another first language than English can enlighten us about the phenomenon of “collective nouns”? Do those first languages have a particular “thing” about collective nouns? Engl...
The added time has unexpectedly provided seafarers with opportunities for rest, routine establishment, and social activities. The Mission to Seafarers today published its latest Seafarer Happiness Index report, which re...
Meet Linda Watts, our new chaplain in Costa Rica, who steps into the role her father, George Watts, held for five years before her. Is seafaring in your blood? My father was the chaplain before me for five years and...
Annual international awards celebrate exceptional contributions to seafarer welfare and wellbeing. The Mission to Seafarers, a leading international seafarer welfare charity, is delighted to announce its International S...
The Mission to Seafarers continues to encounter a mix of challenges and heartwarming stories from seafarers. Whether providing emotional support in moments of grief or bringing joy through unexpected gestures and commun...
Imperfect Right and Incomplete Wrongs Many years ago, I was in Hong Kong gazing up at the then-new headquarters of HSBC. Around the corner in an alleyway was a row of steel-barred cages, each about 2 x 1 meters. In resp...
The Mission to Seafarers calls on the maritime industry to join Adventure Race Japan 2025 and support the seafarers who keep our global economy afloat With Adventure Race Japan (ARJ) 2025 fast approaching, leading inter...
A new initiative in partnership with the Seafarers Hospital Society and Community Heartbeat equips MtS UK seafarers centres with life-saving defibrillators. In May 2023 the Mission to Seafarers, South Tees Branch Commit...
The fact that I spent the best part of a week in Geneva a short while ago was the subject of quite a few jokes from friends and contacts who are not familiar with the world of global shipping. For those who don’t know...
From locations all around the world, The Mission to Seafarers’ Port Chaplains share how they have been addressing the myriad of dangers faced by seafarers in June 2024 and the importance of the support provided in the ...
There’s no particular reason why the little doings of a medium-sized island off the northwest coast of Europe should preoccupy others in the wider world. Some of you may, however, have noticed that in England, we’ve...
Issues arise over the ‘haves and have-not’s’ for happiness at sea The findings of the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report by the Mission to Seafarers reveal a mixed but increasingly positive picture of seafare...
For over 160 years, The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has been at the forefront of providing essential support and care for seafarers across the world. As Programme Manager, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact of ...
Entries open for a new endurance event in the Swiss Alps, bringing shipping together for seafarers’ welfare Leading international seafarer welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has announced the launch of ...
I am a bit of an election junkie. I write this, my final blog, on the morning after the UK General election. I have stayed up all night watching the extraordinary results coming in, as I have most elections since the fi...
New training initiative aims to improve welfare and awareness of seafarers in the IKEA supply chain The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), a leading international seafarer welfare charity, has entered into a three-year partner...
Your chance to honour those who have made a significant contribution to seafarers’ welfare The Mission to Seafarers, a leading international seafarer welfare charity, invites nominations for its prestigious Seafarers ...
As I write, I have just returned from my last Mission visit overseas. I wish I had counted my miles from the start – they must have run into many, many hundreds of thousands, maybe into the millions. Certainly, I have...
The Mission to Seafarers, ISWAN, and Sailors’ Society declare support for Diversity Study Group’s recently launched Seafarer DEIB Data-Gathering and Benchmarking initiative. Maritime charities, the Mission to Seafar...
I must admit, I do enjoy preaching Although whether the many congregations I have preached to in my 18 years of maritime ministry would agree is a different matter! Over my time at both The Mission to Seafarers and the ...
Countdown underway to Adventure Race Japan 2025, with launch events in Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong 7 May 2024: Leading international seafarers’ welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), has launched its seco...
Seafarer feedback from first quarter of 2024 presents a mixed but optimistic outlook, highlighting the positive and negative aspects of life at sea The findings of the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report by the Miss...
The Sustainable Shipping Initiative today announces The Mission to Seafarers as its newest member, further highlighting the importance of seafarers and seafarers’ rights and welfare in building a sustainable maritime i...
March has been an extraordinary month. For me, it started in Dubai, where we were joined by our President, HRH The Princess Royal, for a series of important events, including a port visit, a Women in Shipping conference...
As I write the blog today, we have just heard about the first three deaths as a result of the Red Sea attacks. These are each unthinkably tragic but also, I fear, have become inevitable. It is something of a miracle tha...
The vital role of seafarer welfare services in the United Arab Emirates and the importance of women in the maritime industry were celebrated by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, the President of The Mission to Seafa...
Peter Rouch appointed as Secretary General of leading maritime welfare charity; succeeding Andrew Wright, who will retire in September The Mission to Seafarers has announced that its new Secretary General will be Peter ...
Oh yes, the vulnerability of seafarers to the uncertainties and terrors of our fragile world remains very visible. The attacks and threats in the Red Sea are the latest sudden and serious issue facing crews. The real po...
The Mission to Seafarers’ Happiness Index shows another fall in seafarer happiness in Q4 2023, with concerns over workload, stagnated wages, social isolation and lack of respect The results of the latest Seafarers Hap...
Yrhen Balinis, a seafarer, journalist, and Goodwill Maritime Ambassador for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the Philippines, shares his passion for inspiring a new generation of seafarers. When I was ju...
I spent Christmas doing my first ever chaplaincy to a cruise ship. It was an absolute pleasure. I was kept busy with Christmas and daily services, as well as with those who sought me out for conversations of many differ...
Our Chaplain to the Humber Ports, Revd. Tim Linkens, details the exceptional contributions and collaborations that went into distributing presents to seafarers they encountered over the Christmas season. Christmas 2023 ...
Praise has been given to The Mission alongside three other maritime charities, who, through their unique collaboration, have been able to highlight the key importance of seafarer wellbeing in a sustainable, safe, and div...
One story I have heard today already. Our chaplain in one country was contacted in relation to a seriously ill seafarer (an officer) who is having to be taken off a ship to be repatriated to India for emergency surgery....
The vital role played by seafarers and their families was celebrated by The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) at their annual ‘Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols’ which took place in London, with Her Royal Highness The Pri...
I have said many times in recent months that seafarers often feel the world’s crises first and hardest. Following on from the appalling impacts of the pandemic and, subsequently, the war in Ukraine on so many seafarer...
Annual awards honour those who have made significant contributions to improving seafarer welfare and wellbeing Watch the highlights of our recent Seafarers Awards Singapore 2023 event here The Mission to Seafarers, a...
Third quarter of decline in the Mission to Seafarers Happiness Index sparks concern over downward spiral in seafarer wellbeing Further concern over seafarer welfare has been raised by the results of the latest Seafarers...
Julia Cooper, Director of Operations, Seattle, and Revd. James Mosher, our Port Chaplain in Southampton, share their recent experiences of providing practical and spiritual support to seafarers. Seattle For Julia Co...
I have just been on holiday. It was not the most successful. I tested positive for COVID-19 on the first day, and my wife followed closely. Despite being fresh from my latest vaccination, we both felt grim for most of t...
In September, The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) participated in one of the most significant events for the worldwide shipping industry, The London International Shipping Week 2023. The event took place from the 11th - 15th...
Dennis Woodward has been a Port Chaplain in Rotterdam since the autumn of 2017. He shares the changes and challenges he’s witnessed, and why there’s no other job like this one. I’ve come to love and really appr...
One of the reasons I love working for The Mission to Seafarers is the marvellous diversity of its contexts, its teams, its supporters, and its partners. While we are unashamedly Christian in our purposes, values, and c...
The Mission to Seafarers’ Q2 2023 Seafarers Happiness Index reveals a concerning downward trend across all categories, highlighting challenges faced by those working at sea The Mission to Seafarers has published the l...
Fr Kent Middleton, Chaplain in the UAE and Revd Canon Stephen Thanapaul in Tuticorin, India, shed light on how they help seafarers celebrate special occasions in their respective regions. The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) ...
An email has just popped up. It is from Penny Phillips, our long-standing Centre Manager in Falmouth (UK). A strategically sited port on the Atlantic’s western approaches, our Falmouth team regularly deals with emergen...
Maritime charities and industry leaders come together to discuss the importance of seafarer welfare and wellbeing as shipping embraces environmental, social and governance goals Held as part of London International Shi...
Survey from Liverpool John Moores University and The Mission to Seafarers shows scale of corrupt practice of seafarers compelled to pay illegal employment fees, leading to debt, exploitative working conditions, and exten...
I was once waiting for a train at Liverpool Street Station in London. It is a huge station with a gallery running around the main concourse. I was having a coffee when suddenly music started, and a random man started da...
Ahead of Day of the Seafarer, The Mission to Seafarers has published over 100 proposed solutions, ideas, and initiatives to enhance seafarer welfare globally The Mission to Seafarers, an international maritime welfare c...
Written by the Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General, The Mission to Seafarers My old headmaster was fond of telling me that “any organisation that stands still goes backwards”. It is a mantra that I have alw...
Happy at Sea" mobile app revolutionises welfare support available to seafarers worldwide The Mission to Seafarers, an international maritime welfare charity, has unveiled its “Happy at Sea” mobile app at an exclusiv...
Volunteering has always been the backbone of The Mission to Seafarers, a leading welfare charity dedicated to supporting seafarers. Across the globe, over 1.89 million seafarers face danger every day to keep our global...
With an estimated 10% of world tonnage present at The Mission to Seafarers’ most successful fundraising challenge ever, the maritime community's commitment to seafarer welfare was clear to see The Mission to Seafarers...
Monica Park, Chaplain in Busan, South Korea, and Revd Paul Tolhurst, Chaplain in Kobe, Japan, shed light on the activities of seafarers in their respective regions during February 2023. Through reports like these, The ...
This has been a truly incredible few weeks for The Mission to Seafarers, in many ways, but with the extraordinary Adventure Race Japan at its heart. It was a privilege to attend and take part in the challenge, in which ...
Thanks to the excellent response from the maritime industry, as well as the funds raised through team registrations and corporate sponsorships for Adventure Race Japan, we have raised US$1M of our US$1.2m target which wi...
Survey reveals growing frustrations and challenges faced by seafarers, highlighting the need for collaborative industry-wide action to improve welfare and wellbeing in shipping The Mission to Seafarers has published the...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has been at the forefront of providing seafarers with essential support and care for over 160 years. As an organisation that deeply cares about the welfare of seafarers, MtS recognised the...
*Note: The deadline to submit nominations is now closed as of 14/8/2023 Your chance to nominate your seafarer welfare heroes and celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in supporting our men and women at sea The...
My recent visit to Panama and Costa Rica was exciting and productive in so many ways. There was the launch of our new partnership with the Deutsche Seemannsmission, a reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence, v...
Key data from the Seafarers Happiness Index, with supporting insights from Standard Club, part of NorthStandard and ship inspection technology business, Idwal, will form the starting point of the event, which will seek t...
Gail Wearne, Centre Manager at Walvis Bay, Namibia, and Emily Dudek, Ship Visitor in Seattle, USA, shared insights on the activities of seafarers in their respective regions during January 2023 At The Mission to Seafare...
A new maritime partnership, The Seafarers Mission – Panama’, will strengthen the delivery of world-class welfare services for seafarers in Panama Leading maritime welfare organisations The Mission to Seafarers and D...
I am having an exciting week in Panama. Panama is one of the great maritime hubs, with its magnificent canal, key to global shipping movements and world trade, and several important ports. It lives and breathes maritime...
Fintech company, Kadmos, has partnered with The Mission to Seafarers to offer a new WeCare course which aims to contribute to the financial wellbeing of seafarers and help them achieve financial stability and security. ...
Seventy years ago, on 31 January 1953, the MV Princess Victoria - a car ferry - left the East Pier in Stranraer, Scotland to make its normal crossing to Larne in Northern Ireland. It was a stormy day and, once out of sh...
In just a few days, on 24 February 2023 will mark one year since the onset of the war in Ukraine. We at The Mission to Seafarers are proud to be one of 30 signatories of a joint open letter to the United Nations Secretar...
In Thailand, January 2023, The Mission to Seafarers responded to a tanker ship that exploded and killed eight dockworkers The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) recently responded to a tragic accident that took place in Thailan...
MtS’ Adventure Race Japan receives a brilliant response from the maritime industry for its highly anticipated fundraising challenge in support of seafarers’ welfare The Mission to Seafarers is delighted to share the...
The Revd Isaac Franklin, a port chaplain in Bahrain, shares insight on the challenges faced by seafarers in the region during December 2022 At The Mission to Seafarers, we understand the unique challenges faced by seafa...
The Mission to Seafarers has issued its Q4 findings on seafarer happiness and annual review, as well as new insights on vessel conditions impact on seafarer welfare from Idwal The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report...
Our Chaplain in Singapore, Toh Soon Kok, and his wife Susan Koh, the Mission’s Centre Manager, reflect on the current challenges facing seafarers. In the busy port of Singapore, the team visit between 400 and 500 hund...
When I was a teenager, I heard a doctor talking about his years working in Labrador, Canada. It sounded exciting and I was inspired. Before I left school, I applied for a volunteer position with the Grenfell Association...
As ever this Christmas, everyone connected with The Mission to Seafarers is reflecting on the realities of the season for so many crew and their families. Christmas, with its jollities, its gifts, and its emphasis on th...
The Mission to Seafarers welcomed HRH The Princess Royal for annual Christmas carol service in celebration of seafarers The Mission to Seafarers’ ‘Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols’ took place on Tuesday 6th D...
A selection of reports from a fraction of the 200+ ports across 50 countries that the Mission to Seafarers works in. The Mission to Seafarers works tirelessly to provide the 1.5 million global seafarers of all ranks, na...
I am in Australia, my first major trip overseas since COVID-19 struck. Amongst much of note so far was being at Heathrow Airport at 11 am on Remembrance Sunday. It was very busy, but suddenly the airport was utterly hus...
After a 2 year hiatus, on Friday 28th October 2022, we were delighted to host our Mission to Seafarers Golf Day, this year taking place at Clandon Regis Golf Club. It was an incredible event, with perfect weather ...
Shore leave returning to normal drives rise in this quarter’s data, but perennial welfare issues persist The Mission to Seafarers today publishes the findings of its Q3 2022 Seafarers Happiness Index report, undertake...
Hear from Raeid Tashtoush, MtS manager and driver, concerning the fatal Port of Aqaba accident Earlier this year, Jordan’s only seaport, the Port of Aqaba was devastated by a fatal chlorine gas accident. On Monday 27t...
There are many calls on our prayers right now. One of the speakers at our recent Regional Directors' Conference - an expert on Ukraine, Russia, and the Orthodox tradition - was asked how hopeful he could be about the fut...
The Seafarers Awards Singapore ceremony highlights the value and importance of seafarer welfare and honours individuals and organisations that have significantly improved seafarers' well-being. After a two-year hiatus, ...
From Argentina to Australia, the Mission has played a role in the love stories of couples across the world. Mabel and Max Wulff As far back as the 1900s love was in the air when a young woman called Mabel Philips...
After a long contract, Capt Igor Lyubeshkin was looking forward to spending time with his family and the birth of his second child. But war in his home country of Ukraine changed everything. At 2:30 am on February 2...
In September, I concluded my four year term as Chairman of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). While I remain on the Board, I handed over the reins to a new Chair and a reorganised leadership team. ...
On Tuesday 23 August, The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) and its volunteer committee held a special Presentation Lunch at the Palace Hotel in Tokyo, to thank attending sponsors for their support of next year’s Adventure Ra...
Almighty God, As The Mission to Seafarers global community, we join in shared gratitude for the life of our Patron, Queen Elizabeth. We give thanks for her supportive association with us over so many years. We give th...
Earlier this year, HRH The Princess Royal visited the Rotterdam Mission to Seafarers centre and helped plant a tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative. The initiative was created to mark Her Majesty ...
These remarks were delivered at the NAMMA Conference 2022 by the Revd. Canon Andrew Wright. It is a great pleasure to be back at NAMMA again. It is always a wonderful occasion. I am here both as the Chairman of ICMA, an...
After reaching a record low last quarter, seafarer happiness data rises, showing how changes made by the industry can make a difference The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Mission to Seaf...
Last Tuesday, I spent the day in London. I had several meetings and went from place to place by bicycle. At 40.1 degrees in the capital, it was the hottest day in the UK since records began – by some margin. It was li...
While continuing to take caution and adhere to protocols for the protection of volunteers and seafarers, Mission’s team at the Port of Halifax centre in Canada hosted an impressive total of 131 crew members, transporte...
One of the small but important historic tasks of Mission to Seafarers’ Secretary Generals has been to say grace before dinner. It is an honour to do so, and it is a role that continues today, at meals both grand and i...
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and our President, shares a message as we celebrate this year's Day of the Seafarer I am very pleased to be writing in acknowledgement of this year’s Day of the Seafarer. The the...
The Mission to Seafarers announces the appointment of the Revd John Attenborough as the new Regional Director for the Middle East and South Asia Region (MESA), and Chaplain for MtS Cyprus, where this role will be based. ...
"As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease in the Netherlands, The Mission to Seafarers can recommence ship visits and train new volunteers, but shore leave limitations remain." Revd Dennis Woodward shares updates from Rott...
I am one of a small group that is considering and signing off applications to ISWAN’s (International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network) emergency Ukraine fund. There have been huge numbers of such requests, and...
All in The Mission to Seafarers global community join in paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. As our Patron, we owe a particular debt of gratitude. Her extraordinary 7...
The Mission to Seafarers has today published a report called ‘Beyond the 2%, Women Seafarers and their Lives at Sea: Reflecting on Our Call to Care.’ The report is intended to act as a discussion document for the cha...
Annual awards highlight the importance of seafarers’ welfare, and recognise organisations and individuals that offer global support. The Mission to Seafarers, announces that the Seafarers’ Awards Singapore 2022 is...
From COVID to the Ukraine conflict and contractual concerns, global issues have massively impacted seafarer welfare and morale The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Mission to Seafarers, re...
From ongoing COVID-19 restrictions to the Ukraine crisis, the events during the first few months of 2022 have thrown a whole host of challenges in the path of seafarers. In response to these issues, The Mission to Seafar...
The Mission to Seafarers is proud to announce it has been shortlisted for SAFETY4SEA’s Crew Welfare Organisation Award 2022! The Mission to Seafarers has been nominated for its ‘WeCare’ programme, which provides a...
The Mission to Seafarers is a faith-based Christian organisation. However, it is deeply committed to a holistic and inclusive approach, and one which shows absolute respect to those of all faiths and none. When our c...
Ukraine is foremost in all our minds. Words fail us in reflecting on the horror of this, a horror which seems to have come from nowhere. There are 65,000 Ukrainian and 200,000 Russian seafarers, making up overall around ...
Eastern Pacific Shipping's (EPS) outstanding "Around the World Fundraiser took place over 20 days raising over S$1.5m in support of the vital work we do to support seafarers worldwide. The event also provided an opportu...
The Mission to Seafarers shares the horror and sadness of so many as we witness events in Ukraine. Our thoughts and prayers are with all directly caught up in the fighting, including seafarers trapped in Ukrainian ports...
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal and our President, visited The Flying Angel Seafarers Centre in Schiedam, Rotterdam, on Friday 4th March 2022. Following a tour of the centre and meeting the hardworking volunteers...
Wednesday 16 February was an exciting day. HRH, The Princess Royal made a visit to Southampton. She spent the day with us at The Mission to Seafarers, combining that with visits to port authorities and operators. For me...
Port of Southampton represents the international port community at an event which honours seafarers and their support network. The Mission to Seafarers welcomed its President, HRH The Princess Royal, at the Port of So...
The Mission to Seafarers has launched a new adventure race challenge event in Japan, taking place in early 2023. All sponsors and participants of this exciting race will support the Mission’s Emerging Port Strategy 20...
Reverend Mary Davisson, The Mission to Seafarers Chaplain in Baltimore, shares her experiences of supporting seafarers in Autumn 2021, as the challenges relating to further COVID variants increased, and highlights the im...
COVID uncertainty and fluctuations led to major impact in seafarer welfare; The Mission to Seafarers reiterates call for key worker status and further investment in seafarer support during 2022 The Q4 2021 Seafarers Hap...
There are plenty of people to congratulate in my article this month. Our amazing Development Director, Jan Webber, received the BEM (British Empire Medal) in the UK’s New Year Honours. This is extremely distingu...
Pacific Basin Shipping, a leading dry bulk owner and operator, joins five other leading companies as a Platinum sponsor of the Mission’s Sustaining Crew Welfare Campaign, allocating their contribution specifically to t...
Digital learning specialist Mintra has joined forces with welfare organisation The Mission to Seafarers to deliver vital support to seafarers around the world who are struggling with their mental health. Mintra is hos...
Award-winning fundraiser Jan Webber is to be honoured by The Queen in the New Year’s Honours List. Mrs Webber, who has been working in the charitable sector for the past 27 years, is to receive the British Empire Meda...
The Missions ‘Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols’ took place on Wednesday 15th of December 2021 at All Hallows by the Tower, London, followed by a canape and drinks reception at Trinity House, to honour the commit...
Maritime Trainer has partnered with The Mission to Seafarers, leading international seafarer welfare charity, to provide WeCare courses to Mission Chaplains and volunteers around the globe. The Mission’s WeC...
At a recent conference I attended, one of the speakers was the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. The overall theme of the conference was “lament”. Lament is a strong theme within Jewish and Ch...
Reunited at last! Recently, the whole of our Mission to Seafarers International Headquarters team met together physically for the first time in more than 18 months. It was great to see each other once again, to catch...
For many of us in the U.S., receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is as simple as walking into a local pharmacy. However, getting vaccinated isn’t so easy for those who live and work on the sea. After all, how can seafarers a...
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index from The Mission to Seafarers highlights long term repercussions if welfare standards don’t change The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report from The Mission to Seafarers has bee...
The Mission to Seafarers co-hosted the ‘Meeting the welfare needs of seafarers in a digital age’ event at London International Shipping Week 2021. The conference was organised by the four LISW charities, The Mission...
23rd March was the day the Suez Canal stood still as the Ever Given, one the world’s largest containerships, ran aground and delayed movements for one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. When the Ever Giv...
As the industry looks back on a hugely challenging year for seafarers, the four maritime charities will come together at Inmarsat to explore how technology will shape the future for seafarers’ welfare. The Mission to S...
The Mission to Seafarers calls for further government involvement in improving seafarer welfare The Mission to Seafarers has been involved in the recent University of Cardiff Seafarers International Research C...
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index from the Mission to Seafarers paints a harrowing picture, with the lack of shore leave causing distress to many The Mission to Seafarers has published the latest Seafarers Happiness ...
The Mission to Seafarers has raised £320,000 for its ongoing crew welfare campaign, thanks to the generosity of donors from across the shipping industry. The campaign was launched late last year to sustain cr...
At the end of July, we are leaving St Michael Paternoster Royal, the home base of The Mission to Seafarers for over 50 years. It has become an iconic building, known by many who have visited from across the world, r...
Our new On Board Mental Health Champions webinars and podcast series, as part of our WeCare programme, launches today. Created specifically for seafarers, the Mission believes this really does address the unique challeng...
The annual Seafarers’ Awards, hosted in Singapore, celebrates the individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to improving the welfare of seafarers. Entries are now open for the 2021 award...
I am not a great one for too much nostalgia. Many organisations get trapped in their pasts to the detriment of today’s changing needs. And yet the past is important as well. At The Mission to Seafarers, we rightly...
The Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF), established by leading seafarer welfare charities and the wider shipping industry to support seafarers and their families devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has collected...
Following the British Chamber of Commerce podcast episode in June 2020 which discussed seafarers’ mental health at the peak of the pandemic, the COVID-19 virus continues to significantly impact the maritime industry an...
India has been the focus of media reporting on the COVID situation in these last days. No surprise. Pictures from there have been horrific. We have been in close touch with our local teams. While the situation does diff...
Leading seafarer welfare charities and shipping industry players have launched an emergency relief fund in order to support seafarers and their families devastated by the rampant COVID-19 pandemic in India and other coun...
Report from The Mission to Seafarers highlights progress on connectivity, but concern over working hours, crew changes and vaccine access The Mission to Seafarers has published the latest Seafarers Happiness Index repor...
On behalf of the global family of The Mission to Seafarers, we wish to join so many across the world in paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh. We were honoured by his service as our President from 1955-1958 and for his...
If we thought the arrival of vaccines was going to change the situation overnight, we clearly now know better! Even in the UK where we have had a very strong vaccine rollout, we are being warned that restrictions are li...
Although the new year commenced with a glimmer of hope for seafarers – as organisations pushed for seafarers to be designated as keyworkers, alongside the welcome news that some countries would be prioritising seafarer...
The Mission to Seafarers wishes to express its deep appreciation to the UKP&I Club and its members. Not only have the Club funded the WeCare training programmes, but have also made a generous donation to the Flying A...
Despite a strict UK lockdown, social distancing measures and church closures as a result of COVID-19 – The Port of South Tees Seafarers’ Centre thanks local generosity to support seafarers. Last year, Christmas ...
The recent plight of the MT Iba has highlighted the issue of abandoned seafarers. After two of its anchors broke in a storm, the ship washed up on one of Dubai’s tourist beaches. A hidden horror was made very public. T...
The Mission has launched its new e-learning modules as an extension to its WeCare programme. In response to the added pressures on seafarers during COVID-19, the two face-to-face programmes are being moved online to prov...
As COVID-19 continuously wreaks havoc on the lives of seafarers, many families and dependants of stranded seafaring men and women have equally needed assistance during their absence. In many cases, seafarers who are cur...
My first blog piece of 2021. I once spent New Year’s Eve in Italy. There I shared in an interesting experience. Traditionally, many Italians have celebrated New Year’s Eve by throwing old pots, pans, clothes, applian...
May I start by thanking you for your generosity during 2020. It was without question a difficult time for us all. Your help has enabled us to help seafarers around the world with their immediate needs supporting them wit...
In these challenging pandemic times, the Mission remains on call day and night for 365 days a year, providing help for seafarers in over 200 ports around the world. In all our nine global regions, we have port chaplains ...
The COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for a long-term crew change crisis that has been the main cause of thousands of seafarers, around the world, being unable to join vessels or return home, and stranded without suppor...
The Mission to Seafarers calls for seafarer support, and the need for safe crew changes The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Mission to Seafarers, reveals that small investments can make a...
Many events occurred during the month of October – the lead up to the US election, the UK re-entering lockdown and most notably, in the maritime industry and in the Solent region, the attempted hijacking of the Nave An...
Lloyds Register have recently conducted a detailed survey in association with the UK Chamber of Shipping and with The Mission to Seafarers. Its findings tally with all the stories coming back from our Chaplains and fron...
https://vimeo.com/480474164/61d8ab29c4 We hosted our annual Seafarers’ Awards, Singapore on Friday 6th November, for the first time in an online ceremony. The welfare of seafarers has become an acute concern during ...
The Mission to Seafarers is hosting its annual carol service celebration ‘Christmas Festival of Light and Hope’ on Wednesday, 9th December 2020, as an online event. In a year which has been extremely challenging acr...
With the current COVID-19 situation getting more unpredictable due to rising infection rates, Wales is currently facing stricter lockdown rules compared to many ports in other parts of the United Kingdom. However, this ...
The Mission to Seafarers, hosted the annual Seafarers’ Awards, Singapore on Friday 6th November, for the first time in an online ceremony. The event celebrated the individuals and organisations that have made significa...
Spotlight on crew change reforms needed to address the humanitarian crisis of stranded seafarers. An industry-wide survey on maritime workers’ well-being during COVID-19, led by Llo...
On 13 October 2020, The Mission to Seafarers Chaplain in Southampton, John Attenborough became the recipient of the Thomas Gray Silver medal award. The award which recognises exceptional deeds of merit at sea was awarde...
You probably do not think of yourself as an angel. Perhaps you are …? At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the situation for seafarers continues to be very difficult. While the crew change crisis has impr...
I’ve been a Trustee for The Mission to Seafarers for five years now. It’s harder than I anticipated, more work than I thought, but more rewarding and more inspiring than I could ever have imagined. I’d supported...
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has extended its charity partnership with international maritime charity, The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) until 2022. For the past three years, HFW has provided important pro bono advi...
In the face of adversity and with increasing restrictions enforced due to the second wave of COVID-19 in the UK, we nonetheless managed to host our Mission to Seafarers Golf Day on the 25th of September 2020. The even...
We take a moment to celebrate and then move forward The Mission to Seafarers Flying Angel Campaign, launched in June 2020, has been enormously successful, raising £630K. This successful campaign is a testament both ...
With office Christmas parties likely to be subdued virtual affairs why not share the joy of Christmas and donate the money instead to seafarers in need? Mission supporter Bob Sanguinetti, CEO of the UK Chamber of Ship...
The Mission to Seafarers calls for urgent action to address immediate needs and long-term impact of the pandemic Seafarers continue to face a bleak future in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Se...
Calling all those in shipping to join the maritime champions who have helped raise £78k through Global Champions Unite. We would like to thank all of our Global Champions, Guy Platten, the IMO, Ardmore Shipping, Anglo ...
More than eighteen maritime organisations have generously donated a combined £600,000 towards our Flying Angel Campaign to help address the severe welfare issues facing seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These don...
We receive regular updates from our global network of chaplains and volunteers on the state of affairs in their regions, and how that impacts their work. Below is a selection of these reports to give you insight into wha...
Forty years ago, I spent some time as an inmate in prison. It was December, just before Christmas and I was admitted for two weeks. Before you get too worried, I did so voluntarily as part of my training for ordinati...
Around These Islands in 12 Ports – Exploring maritime Britain and Ireland by Sail by Jonathan Winter (in association with think tank These Islands) was published in September 2020, in support of The Mission to Seafarer...
I am writing this article on the day of my Uncle Alan’s one-hundredth birthday. 100 is an incredible milestone. Sadly, he is in a home up in Yorkshire and the only visitor allowed in these pandemic days is his daughter...
To be a family, we need to care for each other and this is what our Mission family around the world does. It is wonderful knowing we have family in various ports working together to make a big difference in the lives of...
Leading international seafarer welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers, has extended nominations for its annual Seafarers’ Awards, hosted in Singapore, until 30th September. The dinner will take place at Singapore...
I came across Mission to Seafarers in 1976 when I was a Curate in Felixstowe. Inspired by the Chaplain, I have enthusiastically supported the Mission for 44 years. Currently, I work on Sundays and Mondays in Royal Portbu...
In some countries, there has been a hint of normality. I think some had the feeling that “it might be all over”. Sadly, there have been many hard reminders that it is not so. Some countries are still suffering the fi...
Platinum sponsors of the Mission’s Flying Angel Campaign, Seafarers UK and the Grimaldi Foundation, have generously donated a combined £174,000 to The Mission to Seafarers in response to the severe welfare issues faci...
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index, published today by The Mission to Seafarers, has revealed the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the welfare of international seafarers and their families. The report makes it clear that...
When the Covid-19 lockdown started at the end of March in New Zealand, the Lyttelton Seafarers’ Centre closed its doors like many other seafarers’ centres world-wide. “It looked like the shore based welfare lin...
Seafarers Awareness Week started on the 6th July and will culminate in Sea Sunday, 12th July. This year’s service will take place via the Mission’s Youtube channel and website and is an opportunity to focus on the w...
With this week being Seafarers Awareness Week and Sea Sunday following closely on its heels, we have a particular opportunity to fly the flag for seafarers and their families. We will be doing just that, joining so m...
If you want to enthuse and unify your employees across the globe and make a significant contribution to seafarer welfare, it is time to consider a Global Day of Action (GDA). Read how the Mission can help make your day a...
We were delighted to be involved in Capital Link’s Digital Operational Excellence in Shipping Forum with our two Vice Presidents Dr. Grahaeme Henderson and Esben Poulsson as panelists. This annual event, now in its 10...
As traditional avenues for support come under pressure, read how organisations keen to support our work turn to new approaches for raising funds. Surenav (part of the Capital Marine group) has agreed to pay the Mission ...
We invite you to learn more about our Flying Angel Campaign raising much-needed funds to provide support for seafarers in these unprecedented times. We have raised £650K so far thanks to many generous organisations in t...
The Mission to Seafarers announced the appointment of two new Vice-Presidents; Esben Poulsson, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping and Chairman of Enesel Pte. Ltd, and Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President,...
The Mission to Seafarers today announced the launch of a new flagship campaign to address the severe welfare issues facing seafarers worldwide in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Flying Angel Campaign is a...
I write this piece in the immediate aftermath of a video call with our team in the Philippines. It has been interesting to hear at first hand of the challenges they are facing. Many seafarers from the Philippines have b...
During these hugely turbulent times, seafarers continue to transport more than 90% of the world’s good. While most key workers are being provided with PPE, given deserved support and recognized for their dedication, mo...
It is with great sadness that we announce that Canon Ken Peters, who retired from MtS in 2017, died on the evening of Saturday 9th May 2020. After 38 years of distinguished service within The Mission to Seafarers, Ken w...
The entire world relies on seafarers to deliver everything they need on a day to day basis, from the fuel in their cars to the food in their cupboards. Now, more than ever, seafarers are working constantly to deliver pro...
The Mission to Seafarers reveals insight into how seafarers are affected by Covid-19 and the need for the industry to provide support The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Mission to Seafar...
“…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) I am writing this reflection in Easter week in the midst of the turmoil brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. This parado...
A Reflection on Psalm 137, verses 23 to 28 Hello. I’m Alexe Finlay and my work involves marine safety and security. We deal with ports and harbours in the UK and abroad. We also are involved in the welfare of seafarer...
Covid-19! Perhaps in the long history of The Mission to Seafarers, not even war has had quite such a sudden, unexpected and profound impact on our work. It has meant the speedy desertion of our office at St Michael Pate...
"Everyone [must] regulate his conduct by the golden rule of doing to others as in similar circumstances we would have them do to us, and the path of duty will be clear before him." - William Wilberforce It is the prerog...
It is the night before our prime minister will announce a nation-wide lockdown, and the Lyttelton Seafarers’ Centre is full. It is only a small place, but every seat is taken and seafarers have spilt outside. They hav...
Mission to Seafarers announced the launch of a digital chaplaincy service, in response to the need for seafarers to be provided with remote support. The Mission to Seafarers, working closely in partnership with the Inte...
Happy Easter and welcome to this celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Our service today is celebrated by the Reverend Mike Rose, Chaplain to the Port of Boston, Lincolnshire. Our opening hymn is brought to us by the Choir...
In light of these challenging times, we want to celebrate and salute some of the heroes of the hour – seafarers and those who support them. We will be sharing some of the encounters we’ve had with them and highlighti...
March 2020 These have been extraordinary weeks across the world as we have seen the advance of Covid-19 globally. The disease is no respecter of borders or cultures and perhaps there is a new unity in our common experie...
With the necessary precautions, I was able to visit five crude oil tankers on Monday at Vopak Europoort and three container ships at Rotterdam World Gateway yesterday afternoon. I am using hand gel and wearing disposable...
Many of us across the world are now living under restrictions that we have never known before due to the Covid-19 epidemic, possibly being mainly confined to our homes, queuing for essential supplies and prevented from w...
JOINT OPEN LETTER TO UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN MARITIME ASSOCIATION FACILITATING CREW CHANGES AND ACCESS TO PORT WELFARE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 CRISIs ...
We are entering a very difficult period across the globe. For many, the issue of Coronavirus has already been very real for several months. Many of the rest of us are now discovering what it can mean for daily life. A...
I recently visited Dunkerque where Philip, our port chaplain showed me how the extensive building works are progressing and talked about future plans – we are all looking forward to the opening in May. We then visited ...
Our draft strategy for the next five years is now agreed by Trustees and has gone out to Regions, via Regional Directors, and to IHQ teams. Some dislike the word strategy, feeling it just sounds a bit too “corporate”...
February 2020 I have just written a piece for The Sea, aimed at seafarers beginning Lent. I thought blog readers might be interested, especially as this is going out on Ash Wednesday. It is my attempt at a theology of w...
The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Mission to Seafarers, has revealed that seafarer happiness continues to fluctuate – with improvements in connectivity at sea, but also continuing conc...
January 2020 2020 is going to be a big year for The Mission to Seafarers. Aren’t they all? Amongst so much that is happening, I will highlight just two things. In October, of course, we are holding our first MtS World...
The Mission to Seafarers held its annual ‘Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols’ on 3 December, in the presence of its President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The service took place on Tuesday 3rd Decemb...
Belfast We had a very successful Woolly Hat Day last Friday raising over £1100. Next up is our Carols service on Sunday 15 December where we hope there will be some seafarers around to mix with supporters. Music wi...
Walvis Bay, Namibia seafarer centre as it currently stands opened in the year 2000 and was funded by the ITF (The International Transport Workers' Federation). Seafarers are often taken aback by how developed the centre ...
Community involvement is most vital to our work at the Seattle Seafarers Center. We have a wonderful opportunity to gain goodwill and build bridges to local churches, schools, and retiree groups. Starting in 1994 we b...
Our preparations for Christmas start at the beginning of Advent with our Christmas Bazaar. Several hundred people attend it and we have various stalls and services set up and serve a hot lunch and refreshments. The ...
New report from the Mission to Seafarers shows increased positivity and satisfaction among those working at sea After concerning reports earlier in the year, the latest Seafarers Happiness Index report has shown a mar...
I started ship-visiting earlier this year under the guidance of Fr. Ariel Irrazábal, the port chaplain. As a retired priest in Argentina, this was an excellent opportunity for me to explore a new ministry and support Fr...
The Mission to Seafarers held a maritime service and lunch in Yokohama, attended by its President, HRH The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence to celebrate the Mission’s long service in Japan. The Mission to Sea...
OCTOBER 2019 Alongside my role as Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, I am also Chairman of the Board of the International Christian Maritime Association. ICMA is the organisation which draws together 27 mari...
The Mission worked with HFW to develop a new and innovative Global Day of Action (GDA) on 21 November 2019. We provided the HFW shipping departments in offices all over the world with an array of inclusive and practic...
This November will mark two years since Revd Dennis Woodward started his role as Chaplain to the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. While initially working as a Curate at St. Stephen's Church in Tonbridge, his wife ...
How do we help the seafarer of the future? This was the question at the centre of discussions at yesterday’s (11th September) successful conference on The Impact of Technology on Crew well-being, with an emphasis on me...
If you’re in Japan this coming October and are interested in the sustainability, diversity and harmonisation of Port and Maritime Industries, you will not want to miss this conference. To celebrate the 160th anniver...
September 2019 I once came across a fishing trawler where the table in the mess had been sawn in half and made into two. It turned out that the skipper was a member of an extreme Christian denomination that believed tha...
August 2019 When I first came to The Mission to Seafarers I reflected on that famous hymn “The Day thou gavest Lord is ended”. The second verse of that hymn goes We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping, Whi...
Revd. Isaac Franklin, Mission to Seafarers chaplain at Tuticorin port on the South Eastern Indian coastline, celebrated Sea Sunday with three other congregations this year. Tuticorin is one of the 12 major ports of Indi...
Seafarer happiness levels across tanker, bulk carriers and container ship sectors close to global average this quarter LONDON, AUGUST 5, 2019 – The latest Seafarers Happiness Index report, published today by The Missi...
The Mission to Seafarers are delighted to have been included in the 2019 shortlist for the Safety4Sea Initiative Award! Safety4Sea is a non-profit organisation launched in 2010 that aims to promote safer, greener and sm...
The Mission honours outstanding contributions to seafarers’ welfare worldwide at annual Awards Dinner; reaffirms commitment to expansion of services in Singapore SINGAPORE, 16 May 2019 – The Mission to Seafarers...
Last Sunday marked the official celebration of Sea Sunday, a day set aside in the churches calendar to give thanks to the 1.6 million seafarers who quietly, and often anonymously, transport up to 95% of the world’s goo...
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the Archbishop of Central America, Julio Murray, recently accompanied Mission to Seafarers chaplains to a ship visit on the AS Fiona in Hong Kong Harbour. During the vis...
Join us this September at London International Shipping Week as we explore the impact of technology on crew wellbeing. The free event is taking place from 1pm on Wednesday 11th September. The Mission to Seafarers will b...
Initial three-month pilot project launched in Palma, Majorca, with scope for expansion across key global superyacht ports The Mission to Seafarers has teamed up with leading superyacht brokerage house Burgess to estab...
The Shipowners’ Club, the leading mutual P&I insurer in the small and specialist vessel sector, has today announced a strategic partnership agreement with international seafarer welfare charity The Mission to Seafa...
The Mission to Seafarers has announced the launch of its new WeCare Social Communications and Financial Literacy training programme. Supported by the UK P&I Club, the global training initiative aims to address ris...
We are pleased to announce that the Mission to Seafarers was represented in the Virgin London Marathon, on Sunday 28th April by Andrew Huxley, who ran the epic 26.2 mile distance in just 4:16:37 and raised an incredible ...
During the opening of the new Port Talbot seafarers centre last month, 80 year old Beryl Leyshon was presented with an award in recognition for her long-standing volunteering work. Beryl has been volunteering at The M...
I have just spent a day as an “intern”. I worked alongside Miranda Peters, both in her role at the Queen Victoria Seaman’s Rest in London, a wonderful home for retired seafarers and for others as well, and in her r...
A £110k grant from Seafarers UK will support our new UK volunteering outreach strategy for 2019, which aims to increase the number of young people (25-45) and female volunteers, as well as those from different ethnic an...
Dr Leo John De Freitas, reflects on his father's life as a seafarer and how the Mission to Seafarers offered him support when he needed it most. "My father was never forth-coming about his time at sea no matter how ma...
One of our volunteer ship visitors shares his experience. For the past five weeks I have been shadowing one of the chaplains working in ports in the north of England, to understand the needs of seafarers when they go ...
The CMA Shipping Conference is offering a $300 discount (which is normally only available to CMA Members) on tickets, for supporters of the The Mission to Seafarers. CMA Shipping 2019 is the largest international ship...
We’ve opened a new centre for seafarers in Port Talbot, significantly increasing our vital welfare service provision for seafarers calling at the port. The new centre offers high-quality respite care to the hundreds...
Father Herbert Fadriquela, our Port Chaplain in Felixstowe, has been appointed a Member of the Chapter of Canons of the National Cathedral in Manila, Philippines. The appointment comes directly from the Iglesia Filipi...
Knitting hats, gloves and scarves for seafarers is a long held tradition with MtS supporters. Each day, we receive bundles of homemade woolly items which we supply to seafarers around the world. Woolly Hat Day is a ce...
Our chaplain in Rotterdam, Revd. Dennis Woodward, was interviewed by Dutch current affairs programme 'Onderstromen'. The programme showcases the work we do in port, how computers and robots are replacing people and how M...
The Mission to Seafarers Philippines Family Network (MtS Ph FN) was one awarded Most Outstanding Community Enterprise 2018. Out of four hundred nominated organizations around the country, the MtS Ph FN was chosen as one ...
This December, Friends and Supporters of the Mission to Seafarers came together at St. Michael Paternoster Royal, the International HQ of the Mission to Seafarers, for our annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. D...
First seafarer charity to operate in Panama London, November 21, 2018: International seafarer welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers, has signed an agreement with the Panama Maritime Authority for the provision o...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), has today (7 November 2018) announced the launch of a website, www.happyatsea.org, for its Seafarers Happiness Index (SHI) to complement and enhance the work of the SHI since MtS took over...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) is continuing its commitment to the safety of the maritime industry by providing English lessons to seafarers which will enhance the future of safety on board vessels. The scheme, which ope...
The Mission to Seafarers Brisbane has been nominated for the Daily Cargo News Australian Shipping Awards in the Seafarers Welfare Award category. The award ceremony will be held in the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Sy...
The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) has today announced at its Regional Directors Conference, the creation of its new operations in Latin America, which bring the renowned and valued services of the charity to that part of th...
An education pack aimed at primary school pupils has been launched by The Mission to Seafarers (MtS), and designed to be used in the classroom to educate young children on the impact the maritime industry has upon them a...
The Mission to Seafarers Singapore appreciates Team Tankers International, as Owners, and ASP Ship Management Singapore, as Technical Managers, for arranging a short sailing stint for the Singapore Port Chaplain on one...
On Sunday 9 September, over 60 people from around the tiny community of Edithburgh on the Southern Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, gathered at the Flying Angel Centre for the blessing and opening of an alfresco, outdoo...
Seafarers from across the world have responded to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index. In answering questions about their lives at sea, they have called for ship owners, operators and managers to have designated human r...
SMM Hamburg has placed seafarer welfare at the centre of its exhibition this week, by choosing The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) as its official event charity, with Deutsche Seemans mission. The partnership will not only su...
The Mission to Seafarers in Canada (MtSC) is aware of the importance of mental wellbeing amongst seafarers. On a personal level I have precepted for students from the nursing programme at one of our local universities an...
The Mission to Seafarers welcomed its President, HRH The Princess Royal, to a private audience in the Boardroom of the Baltic Exchange in London, one of the maritime world’s most iconic institutions. Over lunch she met...
The Seafarers Happiness Index showed a decline in happiness since the last survey in 2016 by social network Crewtoo, with isolation and poor working practices posing serious threats to the reputation of the profession an...
The Mission to Seafarers will present awards to seafarers and operational staff within the maritime industry in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the welfare of others. The Awards will be presented at the...
Jake Pass "Pauses for Thought" on BBC Radio Humberside and reflects on Lent and its meaning. [audio mp3="https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/wp-content/uploads/Thought_for_the_Day_5th_March_2018.mp3"][/audio]
Maritime event organiser KNect365 Maritime has put seafarer’s welfare at the heart of the future of shipping by choosing The Mission to Seafarers as its official charity for two of its upcoming major industry events. ...
I was re-watching the film Captain Phillips the other day, in which Tom Hanks plays the hero captain of a container ship, Maersk Alabama, that is hijacked off the coast of Somalia. It is based on the real hijacking of th...
The Mission to Seafarers is a UK-based charity operating in over 200 ports across 50 countries, providing help and emergency assistance to seafarers in times of need. Funded entirely by voluntary donations, the Mission h...
And so, my year with The Mission to Seafarers came to an end. As so often with these posts, I have to begin with some form of apology! This piece comes to you as more of a post-script. I had my last days with the Miss...
The Mission to Seafarers has celebrated a year of achievement while remembering those seafarers in continuing need during at its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on 6 December. Attended by the Mission’s Pr...
Incredibly it’s Christmas again. May I wish every single one of you the very happiest of Christmases and a deeply fulfilling 2018. The acquittal of the 35 crew of the Seaman Guard Ohio in December has made for an unexp...
Christmas for seafarers can be a very difficult time, whether they are at sea or in a foreign port. They are away from their loved ones, and it is especially challenging for those who have children back at home. Unlik...
From the freedom of their hotel in India today Billy Irving, John Armstrong, Nicholas Simpson, Ray Tindall, Nick Dunn, and Paul Towers – collectively known as the Chennai Six – have issued this joint statement on beh...
The Mission to Seafarers, the charity providing key and crucial ongoing support to the vessel, the Seaman Guard Ohio, including the Chennai Six, today welcomes the news that the men have won their appeal against false we...
On 5 October in Torquay Mission representatives were presented with an Outstanding Award for the Falmouth Mission Garden in the Royal Horticultural Society’s South West in Bloom Awards, and on 19 October at the Eden...
“A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us”. John Steinb...
The difficult conditions facing seafarers in their working lives are well-known in the shipping industry. We are used to seeing stories in the maritime media about cultural isolation, tiredness and mental health. These i...
Is there such a thing as fair shipping? At the recent London International Shipping Week, I was asked to be part of a panel addressing just this issue. I was able to say with some confidence, reflecting much of what I ha...
The Mission to Seafarers, today announced its relaunch of the Seafarer Happiness Index to support a sustainable future for the global maritime industry. The Mission is partnering with project founder, Steven Jones, to p...
LONDON, 13 September 2017 – International law firm HFW today announced that its Shipping, Offshore and Logistics Group (HFW Shipping) has chosen The Mission to Seafarers as its first ever global charity partner. Ov...
A new fund has been launched to help ships’ crew members who may need welfare support while visiting the Port of Tyne. Over 100,000 seafarers arrive at the Port of Tyne each year. The welfare, conditions and pay ...
During my recent holiday, I came across this picture, by the side of a swimming pool. Presumably, it is warning parents not to take their eyes off their children. Always on the lookout for sermon ideas, it struck me as a...
2am and the phone rings. It’s the crew of a small tugboat moored about 50m off shore. Their vessel is sinking and the panicked crew don’t know where to turn. I hastily contact the coastguard, but they don’t pick ...
Seafarers can be on vessels for months at a time, while at home the world keeps turning without them. It is not unusual for the men and women manning the global fleet to miss Christmases and birthdays, family milestones ...
Sea Sunday is here again. The second Sunday in July. Of course, many across the world for a whole variety of reasons choose to keep a different Sea Sunday. There are no problems with that. It is a moveable feast! It rema...
We are once again recognising the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Day of the Seafarer, on 25 June 2017. This day, every year the IMO works hard to focus the maritime industry’s and general public’s atte...
With the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Day of the Seafarer 2017 rapidly approaching, a team of six IMO staff members have cycled 100km around London to raise money for the Mission to Seafarers, demonstrat...
RELATIVES of the Chennai Six will stage a peaceful protest outside the Indian High Commission in London this Friday (June 16th) – and are urging members of the public to join them. The Chennai six are six ex-service...
Introduced in 2006, the Maritime Labour Convention has been guaranteeing seafarers the right to decent work conditions, accommodation, food, and medical care, amongst other standards. However, seafarers can be vul...
The Mission to Seafarers is pleased to announce that Jan Webber has been named the new Director of Development taking over from Jos Standerwick who has been appointed as CEO of Maritime London. Jan has spent 22 years ...
Since 2006, seafarers have been guaranteed the right to decent work conditions, accommodation, food and medical care, amongst other standards, under the Maritime Labour Convention. However, working in isolated conditions...
LONDON, 19th May 2017 – Nor-Shipping Charity Fun Run co-sponsor DNV GL and event participant ABB, who are sending a team of 17 runners, today called for more businesses to register teams for this year’s 5k charity...
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, The Mission to Seafarers is highlighting the mental health challenges faced by seafarers and calling on the industry to offer wider services that could help safeguard their welfar...
Nor-Shipping, the leading maritime event week, today opened registration for this year’s 5k charity fun run. Taking place on Monday 29 May, the event aims to raise £100,000 for Nor-Shipping’s 2017 partner charity,...
Four years into my time at The Mission to Seafarers I have just made my first, and long overdue visit, to our work in India and Sri Lanka. We work in four places in India and two in Sri Lanka. We have a fabulous team of ...
PRESS RELEASE MISSION RAISES £6,000 AT UK’S PREMIER SHIPPING DINNER The Mission to Seafarers would like to thank Dr Grahaeme Henderson, President of the UK Chamber of Shipping for choosing the charity as this ye...
Geraldine Pearce talks about the challenges and experiences she faced in the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam. Listen below: [audio mp3="https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/wp-content/uploads/Thought_of_the_day...
The Mission to Seafarers is pleased to announce that Tom Boardley, Executive Vice President of Lloyd’s Register has been appointed as the new Chairman of the global maritime welfare charity. Tom will formally take on t...
I realised today (to my obvious horror) that I have been here almost two weeks and have not done a post about ship visiting. I will remedy that here! At the port of Tilbury, on the north bank of the Thames...
Today marks the entry into force of the first set of amendments to the MLC 2006, and not before time. The amendments mean all ships whose flag states have ratified the convention must have adequate cover to assist seafar...
The Mission to Seafarers Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols took place last week at its headquarters at St Michael Paternoster Royal Church, London. Once again the charity had the privilege of its President HR...
My brother has just had his DNA tested for ancestry. The results demonstrate the diversity of our family background. According to the analysis we are 33% West European (France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria), 30% Irish, ...
On the morning of Thursday, 3rd November 2016, HRH Princess Anne, accompanied by Government officials and dignitaries, will visit Singapore’s Jurong Sea Port as President of The Mission to Seafarers Singapore (MTSS) an...
The Mission to Seafarers and the Deutsche Seemannsmission (DSM) are pleased to announce a joint initiative in support of seafarers’ welfare in Teesport Middlesbrough UK. This ground-breaking new pilot initiative will ...
The Mission to Seafarers launches Christmas Carol Service and Reception 6 December 2016 Maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers has announced that it will be holding its annual Christmas Carol Service and Rece...
Ken Peters reflects on nation states and their responsibilities to seafarers in the wake of the financial crisis What an indictment! Financial disaster struck and the shipping world is thrown into panic. Don’t worry H...
SMM stands for Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology and the annual SMM Hamburg exhibition is the hailed as the world’s leading international Maritime trade fair. The event regularly attracts over 2,000 exhib...
Hanjin Shipping, the South Korean shipping giant and the world's seventh-largest container line, filed for receivership last month, putting thousands of seafarering jobs at risk. Some port authorities are refusing entry,...
Visit the Mission’s stand at the SMM Exhibition in the foyer of the Central Entrance from 6- 9 September Global maritime welfare charity The Mission to Seafarers has been invited by the team at SMM Hamburg 2016 to a...
The Mission to Seafarers and families of the British guards of the anti-piracy vessel the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, who have been unlawfully detained and imprisoned in India, have called for a parliamentary lobby and suppor...
The Mission to Seafarers is delighted to announce that the Revd Canon Stephen Miller, Regional Director East Asia, has won the coveted individual Dr Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year Award. The Internationa...
Sea Sunday will be held on 10 July 2016 and is a time when Mission supporters all over the world come to together to celebrate and remember the lives of those who work at sea. Since 1856 the Mission has faithfully served...
At its seminar during Posidonia, The Mission to Seafarers today launched its much anticipated Corporate Partnership Portfolio which outlines it’s suggestions for how the maritime industry can deliver on corporate socia...
Last month I was fortunate enough to have been invited to The Mission in Belfast, to honour the remarkable service of some of their longest-serving volunteers, in the presence of the Northern Irish Branch Patron and lege...
During these last ten days visiting the Mission to Seafarers in Australia, not only have I experienced once again that characteristic and generous Australian hospitality (despite England’s recent victory in the Ashes s...
Building on its position as the nominated charity for next month’s Posidonia shipping exhibition, The Mission to Seafarers will shine a spotlight on refugee migration by sea and its effect on vessel crewmembers at the ...
I have just returned from three days plus aboard the Manila Express, my first opportunity since joining The Mission to Seafarers in 2013 to spend a few days living alongside a working crew. I was very grateful for the op...
I have recently moved to a different office in St Michael Paternoster Royal. Every time I look up I encounter the picture on the opposite wall. There he stands, John Ashley; stern, bearded and collared, gazing purposeful...
I am delighted to report that the new Mission centre and families’ project in Yangon, Myanmar, was formally launched on Sunday 28 February 2016. The Yangon Mission will be managed by Chairman and co-ordinator Mr George...
I’m the Mission to Seafarers most recent employee, Patrick Silla. An important part of any new recruit’s induction when they join ‘the Mish’ is to go on a port visit to one of the many ports around the country. S...
It is a rainy October morning in London when I call up to speak to Revd Ian, who leads The Mission to Seafarers Port Dampier, and which is located in one of our most remote industrial ports in the boiling heat of Western...
Time and time again seafarers arrive in port and ask “Where is The Flying Angel?” We are proud of that, and the support given to seafarers and their families all over the world by chaplains and their teams has cha...
New babies feature strongly in the lives of our Chaplains and port volunteers – and only occasionally their own! One of the most regular stories I hear is of seafarers who meet their new son or new daughter for the ver...
