Liverpool Seafarers Center to Open Eastham Hub

The new center is located at Queen Elizabeth II Dock, Eastham and was opened by The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Dame Lorna Muirhead in the presence of The High Sheriff of Merseyside, The Deputy Mayor of Wirral, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool and The Mayor of Sefton.

 

LSC CEO John Wilson said the new £40,000 ($51,000) center will work in partnership with its headquarters at Colonsay House in Crosby to provide support to the 50,000 seafarers who pass through Merseyside’s ports each year. It has been supported by donations from Essar’s Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port,  Peel Ports, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, proceeds from Mersey River Pilots raffle and the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards raffle, the Voluntary Aid Club Dinner and The Phoebe Wortley Charitable Trust.

 

Mr. Wilson said: “The new center enables us to maximize the support we can give to seafarers docking within the various berths on the Manchester Ship Canal. The crew are frequently on very quick turnaround times, with limited time for shore leave. When granted, an hour of this time can be spent travelling from the vessel to our center in Waterloo. This new facility however will negate travelling time, thus enabling all crew to fully relax outside the confines of the ship in a friendly welcoming environment. The new center will follow the model of our Liverpool base offering practical and emotional support as well as a lounge, internet and gaming facilities and transport. Bicycles too will be provided offering Seafarers the opportunity to exercise within a countryside environment or to cycle to nearby shops."

 

Mr Wilson said the charity, whose roots date back to the 19th century, is a partnership between the Catholic Apostleship of the Sea (Liverpool) and the Anglican Mersey Mission to Seafarers. Its aim is to help with the emotional strain of being away from home and loved ones for long periods of time at sea.

 

“The working life of a seafarer is a hard and at times dangerous one,” he said. “Following our Christian ethos we can offer a friendly person to talk to. We also step in if there is a crisis or major event with one of the crew, for example a family bereavement, trauma, marriage or birth of a child. We can act as a go between and can talk to the ship management company if there are problems to ensure the seafarer is being properly cared for. Seafaring can be a lonely and isolating job and crew frequently do not have people to talk to. We provide that helping hand and ensure that the Port of Liverpool and the maritime industry on Merseyside maintains its reputation as a friendly caring port. We show the seafarers that Merseyside cares about, and understands, the challenges of the thousands of seafarers passing through our city. 95% of everything we consume in Britain is transported by sea and we rely on the silent invisible army of brave men and women who crew ships to support our economy and way of life.”

 

Mr Wilson said the charity is always on the look out for donors and volunteers to help at the centres making cups of tea, providing a friendly ear and driving the mini bus.