SCFS family and friends gathered together for An Evening of Prayer and Celebration on Wednesday 19th November. Our thanks go to Joanne Bunting, MLA, who hosted the event in the Long Gallery in Stormont Parliament buildings. It was a special evening of praise, prayer and celebration. Thanks to James Hoy and Katie McMeekin for leading us in a time of worship.

Colin Dickenson, SCFS Executive Director, gave a presentation on the pressures and challenges seafarers encounter while working and living at sea. Colin shared some sobering facts released from recent reports by ISWAN (International Seafarers' Welfare & Assistance Network) SeafarerHelp and MTS Seafarer Happiness Index.

Data from ISWAN's SeafarerHelp helpline indicates that:

• Workplace stress was the most commonly raised concern, accounting for 32% of all mental health issues raised. These difficulties were exacerbated by challenging work environments, such as interpersonal issues with other crew members; feeling excluded or isolated onboard; and for some, experiences of onboard abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination or violence.
• This was followed by worry (27%) and low mood (23%) from anxiety about their home life, relationship issues, worry about family members or financial concerns.
• Concerningly 9% of crew contacting SeafarerHelp in relation to their mental health reported thoughts of suicide.

The MTS (Mission To Seafarers) Seafarer Happiness Index conveys that:

• Manning levels and crew shortages continue to deteriorate so that crews are stretched beyond sustainable limits.
• The Administrative Burden has grown exponentially while manning levels remain the same or decrease. "Paper safety" is often reported as taking precedence over actual safety measures.
• Fatigue management remains critically challenged by traditional watch patterns that disrupt circadian rhythms. Rest violations have become normalised, with falsification of records an open secret.
• Cognitive impairment from chronic fatigue.
• Decline of shore leave. Due to shortened port stays seafarers are unable to access welfare facilities and vessels are described as "floating prisons".
• Digital connectivity has marginally improved.
• Compensation concerns have intensified dramatically, with the wages score plummeting. Seafarers report that "demands are increasing and salaries have not increased". Nationality-based pay disparities for identical work create tensions within multinational crews.
• Food quality has declined significantly.
• Health and exercise issues due to poorer food quality and operational pressures are compromising seafarers' ability to maintain their physical well being.
  

Colin highlighted why "SCFS is a vital lifeline to seafarers" as chaplains and ship visitors continue to support the crews. He reported that SCFS now has eleven ports in the UK and Ireland as we have expanded into Shetland. There are four salaried Port Chaplains and over sixty volunteer ship visitors including Team Leaders. In 2024, 1652 ships were visited; 25,800 crew supported; over 4000 gifts given along with approximately 9000 knitted items! There are seven ports in Europe and St Lucia. SCFS provides support to SCFS Philippines and are in early discussions on supporting seafarers with a church in Ketchikan, Alaska. We are continuing to develop our training program with induction training in place and introducing annual refresher training and external training through MNWB (Merchant Navy Welfare Board).

Steven Thompson, SCFS Chairman, paid tribute to the trustees, chaplains, HQ staff, ship visitors and supporters, empathising that it was a team effort and everyone plays a vital role in ministering to the seafarers. Steven commented on how France is the only government which has legislation in place to protect seafarers rights and yet all countries are dependent on seafarers importing and exporting goods. This highlighted the indispensable aid to these "forgotten people" by SCFS, Mission to Seafarers and Stella Maris and other maritime charities. Steven reminded us of God's faithfulness to SCFS throughout 179 years and he encouraged us to tell others about the critical role of SCFS in "serving seafarers with compassion".