12 Key Ports
MISSION TO SEAFARERS SCOTLAND - OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
Covid update
Because of the current public health restrictions, our Grangemouth Centre remains closed but we remain in close touch with port authorities and are ready to reopen as soon as we have permission.
In the meantime, our outreach work continues where safe to do so, now even more important in the face of the current pandemic and the distress this is causing in the global seafaring community - as the latest Seafarers Happiness Index shows. Undertaken in association with the Shipowners’ Club and Wallem Group and published in late July by The Mission to Seafarers, it analyses the experiences of seafarers across the global maritime industry between April and June 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report shows the decline of happiness at sea over the first two quarters of 2020, largely due to the inability of seafarers to sign off and return home. Heavy workloads, virus fears and a perceived lack of COVID-19 precautions on board vessels exacerbated the decline in satisfaction, raising significant concerns for the mental and physical wellbeing of crews and a growing risk to safety.
You can read more about the Index, including a link to the full report, by clicking here:
https://www.missiontoseafarers.org/news/latest-seafarers-happiness-index-report-reveals-seafarer-welfare-crisis-at-tipping-point
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Welcome to new Trustee
We are delighted to announce that Erin Burnett joined our Trustees in September. Erin is originally from Northern Ireland and she is now at the University of Glasgow studying for a MTh Practical Theology degree, researching the experiences of women in maritime chaplaincy.
As part of her earlier studies, Erin did a placement with Mission to Seafarers in East Asia and produced a report on how the Mission could modernise its work to reach 21st century seafarers. She has volunteered with the Mission to Seafarers since she was 18, mostly in Belfast, and has been a receptionist at our seafarers’ centre, a ship welfare visitor and a Sea Sunday speaker. She also attends the Scottish Episcopal Church.
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Vox Coelestis – the video
Following the postponement of the planned choral concert to support MtSS in Perth Cathedral in September, a small group from the choir put together a special video for us, including performing one piece in South Queensferry Priory that would have been performed in the concert. The video includes messages from their Artistic Director – the ex-Kings Singer, Nigel Short – as well as from some of the singers.
We do hope that the future restrictions will allow us to hear them singing live to raise funds for us in 2021.
Here is the link to the video – http://www.mtss.scot/vox-coelestis-mtss-music-video/
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Book Choice!
‘Around These Islands in 12 Ports – Exploring maritime Britain and Ireland by Sail’ by Jonathan Winter was published in September 2020 in support of The Mission to Seafarers.
The book follows Anne and Jonathan Winter aboard yacht Nova on their 2019 voyage around these isles as they explore twelve landmark ports on the coast of Britain and Ireland. Covering more than 2,500 nautical miles and staying in 69 places over 155 days, they set out to dig deeper into the history and identity of these islands. In the book, you’ll find sailing stories and beautiful coastal images together with an article from each port, written by local historians and authors: Dundee, Stromness and Oban represent Scotland in their selection
You can order your copy from 12ports.com - proceeds from the book and all revenue from the e-book version go to The Mission to Seafarers.
You can also read Anne and Jonathan’s online blog as they worked their way (anti-clockwise!) around our coasts here: https://novaroundbritain.home.blog/blog-posts/ with more detailed posts about their choice of 12 key ports here: https://novaroundbritain.home.blog/12-key-ports/ ... See more
Sailing around these islands in 2019, Nova’s voyage came at a moment of national uncertainty in the UK. It therefore seemed to be a chance to celebrate the places and people we encounter, to … ... See more
