Fraserburgh

AOS chaplain Deacon Brian Kilkerr and his wife Jacquie provide pastoral care to fishers many miles from home

In March 2008, the Times newspaper ran a story about the number of Filipino fishers employed in the port of Fraserburgh in north east Scotland. It suggested that the local fishing industry was enjoying something of a revival thanks to the policy of recruiting Filipinos. In a town beset by drug problems, the newspaper claimed, Filipino fishers are appreciated for their hard work and reputation for "clean living and strict Roman Catholicism".

Deacon Brian Kilkerr is the AOS chaplain to the ports in north east Scotland including Aberdeen, Peterhead and Fraserburgh. He and his wife Jacquie have been working with the local Catholic community to support the Filipino fishers in Fraserburgh. Sunday Mass at the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea provides one of the few opportunities for social contact.

Jacquie reports having seen fishers shivering with the cold as they make their way to Mass. She says that many Filipinos arrive unprepared for life in Scotland. Typically the clothing they bring consists of flipflops, shorts and tee-shirts. Suitable clothing has to be bought before they can go out on trawlers into the North Sea. It is unclear who pays for this.

Much of the fishing activity takes place in international waters which affects visa regulations making it relatively simple to employ Filipino fishers legally. It also allows employers to pay them at a much lower rate than local fishers. Employers claim that they meet the cost of airfares for the Filipino fishers.

Accommodation is not generally provided. Filipino fishers must sleep and cook onboard the fishing boats. Conditions are extremely cramped. There is no room for recreation, or even televisions, and the size of the vessels makes it impossible for visitors to come onboard. Fishing boats do not go out on Sundays. The local custom of keeping the Sabbath means that all facilities are closed and so opportunities for relaxation and leisure are limited.

At Mass, Brian and Jacquie distribute copies of Balita, the newsletter for Filipino migrant workers. Many of the fishers are already familiar with the name of "Stella Maris" as AOS is very active in their home country. After Mass there is tea and coffee and the opportunity for some socialising. Brian and Jacquie are currently looking a ways of providing other social and recreational activities on Sundays.

According to Brian, parish priest Fr Mark Impson and congregation of Our Lady Star of the Sea have welcomed the fishers. As several people had been impressed by the Filipinos' singing, they were invited to take part in the Easter celebrations. Some 30 Filipino fishers attended Mass on Easter Sunday, occupying several rows in the church. They sang the Lord's Prayer in Tagalog and also the final hymn after which the congregation cheered and applauded.

Deacon Brian assisted at Mass. Afterwards, he and Jacquie distributed warm clothing and gifts of Easter eggs to the Filipino fishers. In Brian's words

"Their singing was wonderful and everyone sensed the wonder of this very special day".

Filipino fishers in Britain

According to the Times, it is estimated that there are between 300 and 700 Filipino fishers working in Britain in 2008. AOS offers pastoral care to all People of the Sea, including fishers and their communities.

click here to read more about People of the Sea on the AOS international website

click here to read how AOS and partners offered support after the tragic death of a Filipino fisher in Eyemouth, Scotland