The MNWB formed a partnership with The ITF Seafarers’ Trust to provide seafarers with access to the internet when visiting UK Seafarers Centres the majority of which did not have any IT facilities

The roll out phase of the ITFST/MNWB IT Project completed in early 2006 and Admin and Internet computers have been installed in all seafarers’ centres except the refurbished Southampton Seafarers Centre, Milford Haven ISC and MtoS Belfast who were content with their current set up. Interestingly, the Southampton and MtoS Belfast had virtually the same set up as the project and also charge seafarers a nominal sum for usage.

Project contractors Servo/BT have activated the project Helpdesk and IT Handbooks have been issued to all centres. Comments at PWC meetings have all been positive. Feedback suggests the Internet café style computers continue to prove extremely popular with seafarers and there has not been one complaint about the nominal charging policy. Income from the use of the machines has raised a much needed income stream for centres. Indeed, since equipment was installed, one busy centre reported making a profit of around £3,000 at minimum charge (50p per half hour) from internet usage.

The MNWB broadband and maintenance phase of the project remains ongoing. Centres have signed and returned their Standing Order Mandates to the Board who now pays for both broadband and maintenance contracts. The Board plans to contact BT at the end of March 2007 to renegotiate broadband charges in a competitive market. Provision of MNWB subsidised broadband and maintenance will be provided to centres for a 3 year period from date of activation and installation respectively. At the 2 year point centres will be contacted by the Board to discuss their future plans.

In conclusion, the project has been well received and seafarers use the machines extensively. So much so that MNWB has recently set aside a further £15,000 for additional equipment. Following discussions with welfare societies, the ITFST/MNWB has provided centres with modern equipment running multi lingual, highly secure software with printing facility that can be used wirelessly in the public domain.

The Board is grateful to its project partner ITFST and all it Constituent members for their assistance and collaboration. All UK Seafarers Centres now provide seafarers with internet access.