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| Sunday, 10 April 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Mission to seafarers : The seaman's lifeline by Rohan Mathes The Seafarer or the Sailor, is a valuable asset to any country. Carriage of goods at sea is the function of this class of professionals whose job is mainly confined to the seven seas and other navigable waterways of the world. The seafarer, who is also loosely referred to as the 'Seaman', is the nucleus of all international trade.Without the seamen, there would not be Super Markets and Mega Markets packed with shelves of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), raw materials for all major industries and finished goods at the docks for export. All this is a reality because of the seafarer. Almost half a century ago, the seafarers' vocation was dangerous and risky as he had to battle with the elements of nature, typhoons, cyclones, storms and rough seas with little assistance from technology. However, with the advent of modern know-how and its application to electronic navigation, sailing became a more professional, streamlined and safer livelihood for many, both young and old. Nonetheless, this class of employees, often referred to as the ships crew, are a privileged community in the sense that they sail the seven seas and trot the globe. They get a glimpse of the world and its people. However, they are still deficient of a vital ingredient in life. This deficiency which could also be characterised as an occupational hazard, encompasses the basic family joys which the seafarers are deprived of. They are physically distanced from their loved ones who are thousands of miles away, and also the society in general, by whom the seafarers are less reminisced. A major part of their lifetime is spent out at sea, in ports and in ships and Tankers anchored or berthed in isolated ports. An obvious need arises therefore, to fill the vacuum, and meet the nostalgic memories and heart-rendering sentiments of the seafarers. The society at large should endeavour to minimise their involvement in minor vices which are often exaggerated if not misunderstood. It is in this diaspora, that the 'Mission to Seafarers', a world mission agency of the Anglican Church first evolved. Taking cognizance of the facts and the realities of a seafarer's career at sea, the mission takes the onus of caring and sharing for the practical and spiritual needs and welfare of the seafarers, irrespective of their nationalities, faiths, ranks and any other divide. It works through a global network of full and part-time Chaplains, staff and a host of dedicated volunteers in over 300 ports. The Seafarers' Mission personnel visit the seafarers in their ships, to render assistance in diverse ways at times of crisis, bereavement or injustice, and offer counselling, legal and even financial aid as appropriate. In over 100 sea ports around the globe, they run and maintain Seafarers' Centres which cater to their recreational needs and other essential services such as mailing, international telephone calls, email and internet facilities. Statistics reveal that around 117,000 international telephone calls are made annually, from the Mission Centres. In a nutshell, this charity organisation which cares for seafarers around the globe, annually and on average, welcomes over 605,000 seafarers to their centres globally. Over 79,000 visits to ships are undertaken to welcome and assist the crews in over 900 welfare and justice-based cases, involving nearly 4000 seafarers. Over 1000 visits are made to hospitals to console seafarers under medication . Transport is provided to over 240,000 sailors. The provision of these services 365 days a year and 24 hours a day, do make a world of difference to the seafarers who seek the same. They are deprived of their kith and kin for days, months and sometimes years, in their long voyages and perils at sea in which they sail . A cordial welcome, a friendly smile, a chance to talk to someone other than a fellow crew member, or merely an offer of help, could undoubtedly make the seafarers less isolated and alienated from their loved ones and the society in general. Invariably, this vulnerable tribe of transport workers are also sometimes prone to be engulfed in problems of a more serious nature. Similar to the Boxing Day tsunami victims, some ship-wrecked seafarers have lost everything they possessed. Unpaid crews have been deliberately abandoned in foreign ports without food or money. Some have heard of the loss of a spouse, child or parent when at sea, thousands of miles away from their sweet homes. Seriously ill or injured and languishing seafarer patients have been dropped in a foreign hospital and their vessels have departed from port. Whatever the need or problem, the Mission serves as a lifeline to fulfil the same or resolve the problem, despite the struggle it sometimes undergoes in finding financial resources for its sustenance and expansion worldwide. The Colombo Branch of this charitable and prestigious organisation is located opposite the Colombo port, at 26, Church Street, Colombo Fort. Known as the 'Flying Angel Club', it is open daily, day and night and is of yeoman service to international seafarers who patronise it. In addition to the standard services of the mission, the club also provides bar facilities (foreign and local beers, fruit juices and soft drinks) games (snooker, table tennis and darts), telephone and fax (including call back facilities), TV and Video (videos filmed daily in the evening), shopping (most daily requirements) and letter posting among others. The club which was once a hive of activity and a 'home away from home' for many a seafarer, has eventually transformed into a loss-making organisation, since the premises became a part of a 'high security zone' with many Police check-points, following the 'bomb blast' at the Central Bank a few years back. "Seafarer arrivals to the club and the revenue generated from them has dwindled considerably to the extent of not being able to break-even or even maintain the club. However, things are improving and changing to the better, with the arrival of Rev. Father Philip Auden from the United Kingdom. He has come down to revamp the mission here", the Chairman of the Colombo Seafarers' Club, Wing Commander Noel Fernando . Fernando explains that the club now has internet facilities and maintain a web site as well. It is a new-look and refurbished centre including Karaoke and films. Their sales are also gradually picking up. Their Committee meets regularly. They intend to purchase more furniture for the mission and arrange for the sale of more souvenirs such as T-shirts and caps in their shop, in order to enhance their income. "A new Chaplain is due in August for a three year posting as the local diocese was unable to find a suitable personality here", Fernando adds. He also maintained that now unlike earlier, they have a better cordiality with the Police at the check-points and there is provision for those visiting the mission and St.Peters Church, to do so with the minimum or no inconvenience at all. This he says is a great achievement. Chairman Fernando fervently appeals to all seafarers and other well wishers, the shipping fraternity in particular, to patronise the club and donate generously for the upliftment and sustainance of this worthy cause.
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