WELCOME TO
THE PORT NELSON SEAFARERS MISSION
THE PORT NELSON SEAFARERS MISSION
Loneliness, danger and separation from loved ones are just some of the problems seafarers face. Around the world, night and day, The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to those in need. As a Christian agency, we work in more than 230 ports caring for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths.
The Mission provides seafarers' centres, ship visits, emergency assistance, family liaison, and often support and counselling for the survivors of ordeals like shipwreck or hostage-taking by pirates.
The career of seamen is far too demanding. Far too time spent away from home, friends and relatives is a very troubling prospect for maritime professionals, lessening the allure of the sea to some extent. And even though a very valuable relationship is formed between the seamen, sometimes the support of family becomes quite necessary.
Mission to Seafarers is a non-profit organisation established to ensure that the seamen do not feel left out and a listening ear is given to their problems when they are away at sea. Since 1856, the organisation has been a source of extreme benevolence to the seafarers and the seafarers welfare.
The world's merchant seafarers are an invisible workforce of
1.2 million on whom we all rely on."They're a group that is completely unappreciated by most New Zealanders.
"We'd be on our knees without them. We wouldn't be able to function."The issues of loneliness, danger and separation from loved ones are as relevant to today's seafarers as those of the sailing ships of old.
The Mission to Seafarers' frontline staff are there for seafarers in trouble, distress, or despair. In many remote areas, the Mission may be the only help on offer and the only place vulnerable seafarers feel they can turn for support.The volunteers in the Nelson area for The Mission to Seafarers, a Christian agency which has representatives in more than 230 ports around the world. Founded by the Anglican Church in 1856 in Britain, the Mission's work to bring practical and spiritual help to crewmen and women of all nationalities and faiths goes on.
THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE
Day and night, the Mission is on call for seafarers in 250 ports worldwide. Seafarers seek our assistance because all too often they have nowhere else to turn.When a seafarer is shipwrecked and has lost everything, the Mission is there with clothes, food, accommodation, safe refuge and that vital phone call home. If they are injured and alone in a foreign hospital our staff visit him, offer support and liaise with his family. If they are stranded without pay, with no food, money or ticket home, the MtS provides for him and helps with embassy, legal and immigration issues.They may not paid by his company after many months at sea, the Mission helps negotiate with his employers and arrange legal or union advice.