Tilbury

The rewards of volunteering

In May 2008 a Filipino seafarer from the MSC Leigh visited the Tilbury Seafarers' Centre. It was his first visit to the UK for some years and especially important as his mother was working in West London. He tried phoning her from the centre but she was not answering.

Then an urgent call came from his ship, he was to return at once. The reason: the ship's officers had arranged for his mother to meet him onboard.

AOS volunteer driver Roger Hammond immediately offered to drive the seafarer back to the docks. According to Roger, the excitement was tangible. The seafarer was shedding tears of joy as he talked in high emotion of "seeing momma" for the first time in seven years.

Roger said

"it's at times like this, you realise what you volunteer for".

Some 20% of the world's merchant seafarers come from the Philippines. Life at sea means separation from home and family for all seafarers. For those whose families might also have to migrate in search of work, the situation is especially challenging. AOS is committed to providing practical services to enable seafarers to maintain that vital contact with home and family.

click here to read more about Filipino seafarers on the AOS international website

In January 2008, Fr Patsy Foley began his work as port chaplain in Tilbury

The previous chaplain, Fr Paul Boagey, left Tilbury in December after six years of service with AOS. During that time, he oversaw many changes including the opening of the new ecumenical seafarers' centre. Fr Paul has returned to university in preparation for an overseas posting dealing with conflict resolution.

Fr Patsy has several years experience of working with seafarers having previously been AOS port chaplain in Southampton where he built up a strong team of volunteer ship visitors.

click here to read about the opening of the Tilbury seafarers' centre

click here to read how Fr Paul Boagey supported the crew of an arrested ship in Tilbury