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 he’s still involved as a volunteer now. Also, I have a brother, who also graduated as a ship captain and my grandfather was a captain and my uncle. So yes, seafaring is in my blood!
Where did your journey with the Mission begin?
It began when I used to read some materials that my dad brought home. I was reading magazines and also the ship visits and photos and I admired the women chaplains I saw and that inspired me to get involved. I always used to assist him in sending reports with photos and also, I was involved in the Zoom meetings, visiting and with the cruise ships.
Why do you love your job?
I love to help people. I was an English teacher before and I am a lay minister in the Episcopal church. I got involved because seafarers need a lot of support and a lot of encouragement. So, like how I serve as a lay minister at church, I do the same for the Mission.
What is the port like in Costa Rica?
There are two terminals in Puerto Limón. At the APM terminal port, you have a lot of larger container vessels visiting every day. Then the other terminal you have small vessels and also cruise ships, but there are no cruise ships from October until May.
How many vessels do you visit each week?
In the whole week, we’ll visit maybe between five and 10. Some seafarers come ashore, but not always. Last month, there was a vessel that came on Sunday at 7 am and then in the afternoon by 4 pm they had to leave, so they could not come ashore. In this case, they were so busy, and they wanted some of our Costa Rican coffee, so we sent it with our agents.
What common requests do you get from seafarers?
When they come ashore, the first thing they ask is ‘Where is a McDonald’s or a KFC?’ A common request is that they want SIM cards, and also, we have a shopping list so they would like local coffee and also pistachios – they love that.
What challenges are you facing?
At the APM terminal, they have an issue with drugs. So right now, visits are a little restricted. There are a lot of police and then a lot of security, so we need to contact the seafarers by e-mail or WhatsApp to assist.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud because I’m a woman in the seafaring industry and it always used to be men. I can help a lot and some of them feel they can open up to me more because I am a woman.
What are your plans for the future?
There was a Seaman’s Centre, but it’s inactive right now. One of my missions is to reactivate because that’s what seafarers are asking for. It would have an Internet connection – that’s what they always look for, to communicate with your family. And then maybe different things for entertainment.
What message do you have for the world?
We need to be united and connected to seafarers. They need our encouragement and guidance so God can help them in all the work they do and so they can be a good example to others who want to come into this industry.