Caption - Representatives from the maritime charities providing frontline services (large group) and members of the Maritime Charities Funding Group (rear group of 4) launch the UK Port Welfare Vehicle Project outside Trinity House.

Seafarers' welfare is as important as ever, perhaps even more so in the current downturn.  Modern advances in the global shipping industry such as larger, more specialist vessels, smaller multinational crews and quicker turn round times continue to impact on seafarers' lifestyle and their overall welfare.

It is therefore essential that Port Chaplains have the use of reliable vehicles to carry out their valuable work.   "The importance of a seafarer receiving an onboard visit from a trained Port Chaplain or simply being able to come ashore and experience a change of scenery, no matter how short the break, should not be underestimated" stated Sailors' Society Principal Chaplain David Potterton.

The collaborative group of maritime funding charities have recognised the significance of the need for vehicles used in support of seafarers' welfare activities.  To this end the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), ITF Seafarers' Trust, Seafarers UK and Trinity House, under the banner of the Maritime Charities Funding Group (MCFG), has created a project to help charities conducting ship visits and running seafarers centres round UK ports.

Assessed annually, the charitable project will involve major grants to help societies with the replacement of a total 82 vehicles around the UK over a 5 year period and is an excellent example of collaborative work in a difficult financial climate.  The vehicles include minibuses, MPVs and cars used by port chaplains, staff, volunteers and centres in and around UK commercial and fishing ports.

Captain David Parsons, Chairman of the MCFG and Chief Executive of MNWB stated "The funding charities understand that port based welfare vehicles are essential to the provision of front line welfare services to those assisting both visiting and locally domiciled seafarers around our coastline."

Organisations benefitting from the project include Mission to Seafarers, Sailors' Society and Apostleship of the Sea (Great Britain) who co-ordinate their port welfare activities to ensure all aspects of seafarers' welfare needs are met, regardless of gender, race, nationality or faith.

Capt Paul Quinn, AoS National Director, said "We were extremely keen to be part of this important project.  Without such vehicles we would be unable to do our work and our thanks go to the MCFG members for their support. The AoS believes that working in such partnerships is the way forward."

Maritime charities are already actively participating in MNWB Port Welfare Committees, the local forums aimed at supporting seafarers' welfare providers, services and facilities in UK ports.  The project is also seen as a positive move in support of the future implementation of Maritime Labour Convention 2006.