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Stella Maris Port Chaplain Directory 2020

Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) has launched a brand new version of its global port chaplains’ directory which helps seafarers get quick access to pastoral and practical support wherever they are in the world. 

The Stella Maris Port Chaplain Directory 2020 lists phone numbers and email addresses of the charity’s 230 chaplains in over 300 ports and terminals across 41 countries. 

It also highlights the ports in which Stella Maris Seafarers’ Centres are located; these centres provide a space where seafarers can go to relax, contact family, socialise, and speak to a chaplain away from the environment of their ships.


 Stella Maris CEO Martin Foley said, “Stella Maris has the largest ship visiting network globally and our experience shows that face-to-face contact is unique and irreplaceable. This directory provides seafarers useful points of contact should they need urgent support and assistance.”  Stella Maris Development Director John Green said, “We have chaplains in most of the world’s ports. The Directory is a handy source of information for seafarers to get quick and easy access to assistance and advice. 

“Providing up to date and accurate details enables our network of chaplains to provide holistic care for seafarers in port after port worldwide and is a valuable resource both for seafarers and stakeholders in the maritime industry such as P&I clubs, shipping agents and port officials,” he added. 


The support offered by Stella Maris – which celebrates its Centenary this year – includes counselling and befriending, hospital visits, transporation to local shops and facilities and providing WiFi connection and phone cards. 

The Directory was sponsored by Tindall Riley, Managers of The Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited.

Copies of the Directory are being sent out to Stella Maris chaplains globally for distribution to seafarers and ships. The Directory can be downloaded by clicking here.   

Stella Maris Global Port Chaplain Directory 2020
Ship crew supported in Montreal

Fr Andrew Thavam, the Montreal chaplain from seafarers’ charity Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) has spoken about the grief felt by the family and crew mates of a Sri Lankan seafarer who fell overboard in the Saint Lawrence River. 

Fr Andrew was one of the first people to meet the Maersk Patras crew when the containership berthed at the port the day after the incident on May 19. 

Fr Andrew (pictured below) said the crew were still in a state of shock when he went on board, so he provided support and stayed with them while the authorities conducted enquiries. The ship’s agent and other officials were also present.

“On their second day in port, I took the crew to the seafarers centre as the men said they were tired from all the enquiries and wanted to get away from the ship. We spoke about the distressing situations they had been through, and I also offered counselling. They were visibly more relaxed and in better spirits when they returned to the vessel,” said Fr Andrew, who continued to support and visit the crew during their stay at port. 

Sri Lankan-born Fr Andrew also spoke to the family of the missing seafarer in Sri Lanka. “Naturally they were devastated. I did my best to console them. They asked for my prayers in the slim chance he would still be alive. 

“What was more heart-breaking is that the seafarer had boarded the ship only ten days before the incident and celebrated his 29th birthday just two days before the unfortunate event,”said Fr Andrew. 

The shipping company and ship owner, Maersk, has confirmed that the search and rescue operation has been called off.

The shipping company and ship owner, Maersk, has confirmed that the search and rescue operation has been called off.

“It is with regret we have received the news that the search and rescue operation was unsuccessful, and we must conclude that we have lost our colleague. It is a tragic situation for the family and we have offered them our full support. My deepest condolences and thoughts go to them,” said Søren Toft, COO of A.P. Moller-Maersk. 

Maersk says it is in contact with the seafarer’s relatives as well as the crew, who will receive crisis counselling.

Deacon Dileep interviewed

Apostleship of the Sea/Stella Maris Vancouver Port Chaplain Deacon Dileep Athaide is interviewed by BC Catholic about his unexpected path to becoming a chaplain.

Agnieszka Ruck writes that a few years ago, Deacon Dileep could never have guessed he’d become a frequent visitor on the immense coal and container ships dotting the horizon in Delta and Vancouver.

Yet nearly every day he finds himself donning a hard hat, reflective vest, and steel-toed boots, chatting with security guards who recognise his white collar; and climbing high ladders into cargo ships as a chaplain to seafarers.

We encourage you to read this excellent write up about Deacon Dileep’s own faith journey as he relates how AoS supports seafarers faith and practical needs. Go to this link to read the story.  

Deacon Dileep Athaide is AoS/Stella Maris port chaplain in Vancouver

Deacon Dileep Athaide is AoS/Stella Maris port chaplain in Vancouver

2019 Global Port Chaplains Directory launched

Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has launched a new version of its global port chaplains’ directory which helps seafarers get access to pastoral, practical and spiritual support wherever they are in the world.

The Port Chaplain Directory 2019 lists phone numbers and email addresses of the charity’s 227 chaplains in 334 ports across 59 countries. This includes 17 ports in Canada.

It also highlights the ports in which Stella Maris Seafarers’ Centres are located; these centres provide a space where seafarers can go to relax, pray, contact family, socialise, and speak to a chaplain away from the environment of their ships.

Stella Maris (AoS ) in South Africa and all over the world are able to provide pastoral, practical and spiritual care to seafarers when tragedy strikes, acting as a dependable, trusted friend in times of crisis.

The Directory enables our network of chaplains to provide holistic care for seafarers in port after port worldwide and gives seafarers a tool to get quick and easy access to assistance and advice.”

“Providing up to date and accurate details of all our chaplains is a valuable resource both for seafarers and stakeholders in the maritime industry such as P&I clubs, shipping agents and port officials,” he added.

The range of support offered by AoS includes counselling and befriending, taking seafarers to church, visiting them in hospital, transporting them to local shops and facilities and providing means of communicating with family and friends.

Copies of the Directory have been sent out to AoS chaplains globally for distribution to seafarers and ships. The Directory can be downloaded here Port chaplain Directory 2019.

Montreal Mass for seafarers

Fr Andrew Thavam, AoS Stella Maris Montreal Port Chaplain and AoS Canada National Director celebrated Sunday Mass at the Mariners House chapel.

Thirteen seafarers participated and Mass was offered for the seafarers who had died and went missing after two ships collided and also for their families.

 

Life At Sea Report

Stella Maris-Apostleship of Sea in Great Britain has produced a report titled Life At Sea: Working together in times of crisis.

The report looks at how ship visiting and pastoral care for crews continue to remain vital. It illustrates cases of seafarer abandonment, non-payment of wages, stress and mental health problems, bullying and harassment, medical emergencies, and refusal of shore leave.

Report highlights:

  • Having a ‘friend in port’ is still vitally important for seafarers, even in our technological age. Face-to-face contact is unique and irreplaceable, and Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s commitment to routine ship visiting can help alleviate loneliness and mental health problems in seafarers.
  • Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea can provide practical, emotional and pastoral care to seafarers when tragedy strikes, acting as a dependable, trusted friend in times of crisis.
  • Mental health programmes have been developed to address loneliness and boredom. But often, simply talking to Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s chaplains can make all the difference, by letting seafarers know they are not forgotten.
  • Assault and bullying at sea is a reality for many seafarers.
  • Piracy, and the threat of piracy can have a lasting effect on seafarers’ wellbeing and mental health. Swift intervention is essential to minimise the impact of a pirate attach so seafarers can return to work with confidence.
  • Every year, more than 1,000 of Stella Maris-Apostleship of the Sea’s chaplains and volunteers in 334 ports around the world visit over 70,000 ships.

Click the link to download the Life at Sea Report 2019 

The sacrifices of a seafaring mother

Our National Director Fr Andrew Thavam was on night duty at the seafarers’ centre recently and recalls a heart-warming encounter with a second engineer who is also a mother from the Philippines.

Fr Andrew says, “We very rarely get women seafarers coming in to our Mariners House. I spotted her walking in the hallway and she looked like she had a lot on her mind so I approached her and  started a conversation as I felt that she wanted to talk to someone trustworthy.

“She is married to a seafarer and had her first child who is now two years old. She and her husband had to decide between themselves who would carry on going to sea and who would stay home to look after their child and family. They also had financial commitments such as their monthly house loan to pay off.

“Since her husband is an AB and she is an engineer, they decided that she should continue going to sea. But she said it was not that easy decision, particularly when her child cried aloud in the airport when she going off to join her ship. On board she is the only woman seafarer. She said that she is lucky to have all good officers and crew mates. The ship is not that big with only nine crew.

“She also spoke about here long voyage from Norway to Montreal. She said, ‘Lot of high waves and rolling. Because of that rolling lot of sleepless nights. I am making lot of sacrifices for the sake of a good future of my child and the family. It is not that easy to miss my family during Christmas season and to bear all the burdens on board as a woman seafarer.'”

Fr Andrew could see the relief on her face after their conversation. He promised the seafarer his prayers for her family. Later that evening she joined in night prayer at the Mariners House chapel.

 

Newly-ordained Deacon to serve seafarers in Victoria

Bishop of Victoria Gary Gordon has appointed a new Port Chaplain to minister to seafarers arriving at the Port of Victoria, British Columbia.

Deacon Philip Yuson (pictured in the middle) joins the Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) network in British Columbia Canada. His appointment is indicative of the importance Bishop Gordon has attached to serving the needs of seafarers in Greater Victoria as well as the other small ports on Vancouver Island.

Deacon Philip is faced with the wonderful opportunity of establishing an AoS presence for the first time in the diocese. As part of his initiation, he looks forward to working closely with AoS West Coast Coordinator and Vancouver Port Chaplain Deacon Dileep Athaide and shadowing him on ship visits in the latter’s home port of Vancouver.

Deacon Athaide said, “Over the past couple of years, I have spoken with Bishop Gordon as well as several priests in his diocese regarding the need to provide a Catholic Chaplaincy to serve seafarers on ships that berth at their ports and also frequently anchor for extended periods of time in the waters nearby.”

He added, “Deacon Philip’s appointment will further galvanise our ministry of reaching out to people who work at sea.”

AoS Canada National Director Fr Andrew Thavam said shortly before Christmas last year, Bishop Gordon received a phone call requesting that a Catholic Priest celebrate Mass on board a ship with Filipino crew members at Port Alberni.

Fr Andrew said, “To explore the kind of ministry to seafarers, Bishop Gordon took it upon himself to go on board the ship to say Mass. From his time on board Bishop Gordon learnt about the lives of seafarers and some of the conditions they might sometimes face including loneliness, non-payment of wages, poor working conditions, stress and fatigue.

He added, “Bishop Gordon came to the conclusion that the presence of a Chaplain at the ports in the diocese was vital – someone who would be a shepherd to seafarers and provide spiritual care. Hence the appointment of Deacon Philip.”

Deacon Philip and his wife Marie live in Victoria, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Sea Sunday at Montreal

Montreal port chaplain Fr Andrew Thavam celebrated two Masses on Sea Sunday, July 8.

The first was on board the ship ship CSL VIRGINIA. An all Filipino crew. Fr Andrew was welcomed by the men.

He had visited them the day before and briefed them about the Sea Sunday program so they were well prepared and looked forward to Mass.

Fr Andrew’s second Mass was at St.Kevin’s parish. Seven seafarers from the ship and a Canadian seafarer who celebrated his silver wedding anniversary were the special guests at the Mass.

They were welcomed by members of the Catholic Women’s League and Couples for Christ. The seafarers participated in the entrance and offertory procession.

After Mass the CWL members organised a dinner for the seafarers and gave out some gifts.

 

 

Sea Sunday: Vatican calls for seafarers’ protection

Family separation, lack of shore leave, violence and abandonment are some of the realities experienced by seafarers today, the Vatican has highlighted in its message for Sea Sunday 2018 which falls on July 8.

Cardinal Peter A. Turkson, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Human Integral Development said, “We remember the 1.2 million of seafarers who live for several months in the confined space of a vessel, away from their families and loved ones missing the most important and meaningful events in their families such as birthdays and graduations and failing to be present during times of trials and difficulties such as sickness and death.” 

Cardinal Turkson said many seafarers are also denied shore leave and ship visits from seafarers’ welfare personnel.

“Turnaround time in the ports is reduced to the minimal, leaving the crew with inadequate personal time to rest and relax. In numerous ports, crews are finding it increasingly difficult to get permission to go ashore, either because of company policy or because restrictive and discriminatory regulations imposed by governments.” 

He added, “Many of Apostleship of the Sea chaplains and ship visitors are denied entry into ports or prevented from boarding vessels to provide material and spiritual welfare to seafarers who reach shore after weeks at sea.

This contradicts the spirit of the Regulation 4.4 of the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC).”

Cardinal Turkson further highlighted that violence at sea that generally is characterised by piracy remained a threat to seafarers.

“We request governments and ship owners to put into place all the necessary mechanisms to protect the life of the people at sea,” he said.

Another issue affecting seafarers is abandonment of vessels and crews, said Cardinal Turkson. He cited a newspaper report which said from 2012 to 2017 more than 1,300 seafarers were abandoned for various reasons in ports far from their homes, often unpaid and without food and fuel provisions for the ships.

“We express our sincere gratitude to all Stella Maris chaplains and volunteers who for months and months have and are still providing material, spiritual, legal and psychological support to several crews of abandoned vessels,” he said.

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