Portsmouth

Portsmouth Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre

When seafarers come ashore, their highest priority is invariably to contact their families. Short turnaround times, especially of container ships, mean there is little time to go into town looking for communications facilities. In response to the needs of seafarers, the AOS team in Portsmouth has provided a portable building facility with telephones and Internet access in the port itself.

Space is at a premium within the port. We are grateful to the port shipping agent MMD for donating a plot of land in the Flathouse Quay area and to the Merchant Navy Welfare Board for their grant towards establishing the facility. In addition we would like to thank the parishioners of St Peter's Church in Wittering for their generous donation of £600, proceeds of their 2007 summer fête, and also Park Gate parish and St Anthony's School in Whiteley for donations of furniture and IT equipment.

The facility, which opened in early 2008, is now known as the Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre. It is extremely popular with visiting seafarers. There is often a small queue to use the telephones and Internet facilities. Comfortable chairs, a variety of reading material and a friendly convivial atmosphere all help as seafarers wait to make that all important connection with loved ones at home.

Geoff Breeze and Elfi Ip are AOS volunteer ship visitors in the port of Portsmouth. They find the comradeship of the sea especially rewarding

One summer afternoon, between a meeting with the port authority and their scheduled ship visits, Geoff and Elfi found they had time to spare. They decided to watch for the arrival of the Santa Lucia, one of the ships which they visit regularly, which was due to return from the dry dock in Zeebrugge. As the Santa Lucia usually arrives at night, this would be a rare opportunity to take photos.

Geoff and Elfi raced to the Round Tower, a well-known landmark at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. They were rewarded with the sight of the ship on the approaches to the shipping canal. As the Santa Lucia entered the harbour on her way to the commercial docks, Geoff and Elfi waved to the seafarers on deck. To their delight, the crew waved back, recognising the ship visitors from previous visits. Later, when they made their scheduled visit onboard, the crew thanked them for their unexpected act of welcome to Portsmouth.

Pastoral care

Such simple acts of friendship can be very important to people on the move. They are part of the pastoral care which AOS ship visitors such as Geoff and Elfi offer to seafarers. Sometimes this care takes the form of practical services. Recently the crew of the Santa Maria asked for help in obtaining a dart board and chess set. Life at sea is hard work so leisure activities are especially important.

Pastoral care is also about the spiritual. When Geoff and Elfi realised that the spiritual needs of seafarers’ were not being met, they looked for a creative solution. As a result, at least eight ships now have a “Sacred space onboard”.

click here to read the full story of the sacred spaces onboard on the AOS international website

Mass onboard can be arranged. Visiting seafarers are asked to let us know in advance if they would like Mass so that we can arrange for a priest to be present. Otherwise, a communion service can be offered.