Life Beyond the Horizon: The Mission to Seafarers in Australia

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 means 31 ports, stretching from Hobart in Tasmania all the way to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.
Many of its major exports, including iron ore and bauxite, are mined in remote communities, where the closest towns might not have much more than a village shop.

As Sue Dight, the Mission’s Regional Director for Australia, shares, “In Port Walcott, the pier alone is three kilometres long. Our buses drive down to collect the seafarers and take them to the nearest town, where there’s nothing more than a village shop.”

ANCHORAGE PORTS

In many cases, crews never set foot on land at all. Giant carriers sit offshore while smaller vessels ferry cargo back and forth.
With the rise of mega-ships, which require larger berths, ports are moving further and further from city centres. One example is in Western Australia, where Fremantle’s container port is set to relocate to Kwinana, doubling the distance from Perth.

“Even in Melbourne, it can be an hour’s drive in traffic before you’re anywhere near a shopping mall,” Sue explains.

RED TAPE AND SEA BLINDNESS

Geography isn’t the only challenge. Australian ports are among the most tightly regulated in the world. Combined with fast turnaround times, this often leaves seafarers with little or no shore leave. And when seafarers aren’t visible, they get forgotten.

“I once had to explain to a healthcare professional what a seafarer was,” Sue recalls with incredulity. “He couldn’t understand why it was critical that a Chief Engineer got a new pair of glasses within 24 hours.”

It’s a small moment, but a telling one – and a clear example of how society can overlook the people who make global trade possible.

A MISSION THAT SHOWS UP

Despite the obstacles, the Mission is a constant source of support. In 2025 alone, our chaplains and volunteers visited 6,500 ships, transported 88,000 seafarers, and welcomed 90,000+ into our centres.

Often, it’s the simplest things that mean the most – a lift to the shops, a familiar taste of home or someone who has time to listen.

As Sue reflects, “We may not be able to change the ocean environment, but we can be there for people who work on it.”