Welfare workers are aiming to stop foreign seafarers from feeling all at sea when they visit unfamiliar UK ports. A new series of information leaflets aims to help them find their way around an increasing number of UK ports and access the local services. The leaflets - which are designed by seafarers - follow the same basic format, with clear street maps and information ranging from details of the nearest seafarers' centre to hospitals, port and public transport, leisure, recreation and communication facilities.

Captain David Parsons, Chief Executive of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, which has driven the project, explained: "The Board and its member societies, such as the Mission to Seafarers, Apostleship of the Sea and Sailors' Society, recognise the importance of seafarers being supplied with professionally produced leaflets to maximise their limited time ashore."

Leaflets have so far been produced for Aberdeen, Southampton, Grangemouth, Leith, Plymouth, Great Yarmouth, Fawley, Bristol, Newport and Tilbury, and the intention is to introduce them at many other UK ports and also Gibraltar. They are distributed via the local seafarers' centre, port chaplains, ship welfare visitors, pilots, and ship agents. Grangemouth and Leith plan to include them in their ship arrival packs for masters.

Captain John Hughes, Chairman of Trustees for the charity Centres for Seafarers, said: "The leaflets are extremely well received by seafarers and centres alike. At Southampton we've ordered a 10,000 reprint." Reverend Howard Drysdale, Port Chaplain for the Sailors' Society at Aberdeen, added: "When I visit a ship they are snapped up because they have all the information seafarers need and nothing else."

The project, managed by MNWB Deputy Chief Executive Peter Tomlin, can be seen on our website.

Posted: 2008-03-04