Secretary General of Mission to Seafarers
In a Christmas message, Rev Tom Heffer states: For the majority of the world’s seafarers, the festive season will be spent hundreds or thousands of miles away from loved ones. For the past fifty-one weeks they have been the invisible workforce keeping the world turning. Through foul weather and fair they have brought food for our table, toys for our children and grit for our roads.
Yet as we sit down to turkey and trimmings, most seafarers will be far out to sea – with many not seeing landfall this Christmas at all. If they do, it will generally be far from civilisation, in a harsh, inhospitable port environment. But if they are fortunate to dock in one of the ports where the Mission has a centre, they will find friendship and fellowship – a place where they can call their kids to find out what Santa has brought, receive presents themselves and exchange the laughter and the seasonal warmth we all enjoy.
During this year, much has been done internationally to support those at sea. More countries have signed up to the MLC and the adoption of the Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention has further cemented global commitments to protect seafarers and afford them the rights which the rest of us take for granted.
However, as this International Year of the Seafarer comes to a close, and in anticipation of the IMO’s theme for 2011, whilst giving thanks for the safe release of the Chandlers, we remember that nearly 600 seafarers are still being held hostage by pirates and won’t be home for Christmas. Whilst naval responses are making an impact there is clearly more work to be done to ensure safe passage for all concerned. Worldwide, our chaplains are meeting seafarers who are, understandably, voicing their increasing concern about this continuing (and unbelievable in this day and age) scourge of the high seas. In response to the rising levels of anxiety this is causing among those caught up in these terrifying ordeals, we have taken steps to train our staff in recognising the signs of PTSD so that seafarers can have access to this post-piracy care.
http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/news/73/the-secretary-general%27s-christmas-and-new-year-message