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

It is therefore essential that Port Chaplains visiting ships have the use of a reliable vehicle 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 Capt Trevor Wright, Chairman of Northern Ireland Port Welfare Committee and Harbour Master for the port of Larne.   

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 and Northern Ireland ports.  The charitable project involves major grants to help societies with the replacement of a total 82 vehicles over a 5 year period and is an excellent example of collaborative work in a difficult financial climate.  The Northern Ireland Mission to Seafarers and its Flying Angel centre in Belfast will also benefit from the project. 

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, Apostleship of the Sea (Great Britain) and Seamen's Christian Friend Society (SCFS) who co-ordinate their port welfare activities to ensure all aspects of seafarers' welfare needs are met, regardless of gender, race, nationality or faith.

SCFS National Director, Mr Wilson said "Sam is doing an excellent job visiting Northern Ireland ports and we are 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 SCFS 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 Northern Ireland.  Capt Kevin Allen, Harbour Master for Belfast stated 'The port of Belfast fully supports the important, often unsung, work of the seafarers' welfare charities'  The project is also seen as a positive move in support of the future implementation of Maritime Labour Convention 2006, which is expected to be ratified by the UK and NI in 2010/11.