On Wednesday 6th November SCFS family and friends gathered together for a surprise celebration evening to mark Sam Cowan's 25 years with SCFS. Our thanks go to Joanne Bunting, MLA, who hosted the event in the Long Gallery in Stormont Parliament buildings.

Steven Thompson, SCFS Chairman, thanked Sam for his 25 years of work with SCFS remarking that it was more than just a job - Sam has a heart for the seafarers and is always available to them. He noted that SCFS were especially indebted to Sam as, when SCFS had been going through some difficulties some time ago, Sam had brought it to his church. Their timely intervention was instrumental in overcoming the difficulties and securing its future.

Archie McAvoy represented Sam's home church, Hamilton Road Baptist, sharing how Sam had brought the church onboard with supporting SCFS. He commented that "Sam's Wrap", organised by Sam and his wife Pauline, and run on a Friday evening and Saturday morning at the start of December, had been a highlight for the church for many years. This was a family event with teens and adults making up Christmas gift boxes, while the children made Christmas cards and then eagerly carried the boxes out to the vans. In recent years the families make up gift bags and drop them into the church. Sam and Pauline distribute the gifts to the seafarers on the run up to Christmas , and you will also find them visiting ships on Christmas and Boxing Day. Archie talked about the joy it has been to have seafarers visit the church, which has also been able to host some seafarers' baptisms. Through the years Sam has also been instrumental in recruiting volunteers from the church to assist in ship visiting, and this summer some folks helped to man the Cruise Ship Hub for the seafarers. During COVID Sam found new ways to engage again with seafarers whether through Zoom or by providing daily devotions over YouTube or by engaging in the open air on decks and the quayside.

Retired Belfast Harbour Master, Paul Hayes, paid tribute to how Sam comes alongside the harbour staff, and how he was always quick to raise the needs of the seafarers.

• Paul reminisced about Sam's involvement in donating bicycles to assist seafarers travel into Belfast and to local shops. Bicycles were given to vessels which kept them aboard and could therefore use them in many ports around the United Kingdom and northern Europe.
• He shared about a number of years ago when Sam organised for a group of primary school children to come to Belfast Harbour and sing carols on the quays adjacent to the vessels. This was really appreciated by the homesick vessel crews and was a great way to introduce children to the work of seafarers.
• He explained that behind the scenes Sam was often in communication with shipping lines and ships captains to obtain permissions for visits.
• He noted that during the COVID pandemic many seafarers were trapped, with no way of getting vaccines and unable to travel home without them. Sam was able to identify medical personnel and a chemist in North Belfast willing to help, and even transported seafarers to receive the crucial jabs.

Andrew Frizelle, of Frizelle Shipping Services Ltd, shared a message. Extracts:

• "A friendly smile and a chat, a visit to town and an internet call home can make a long contract a bit more bearable. Arriving as strangers, leaving as friends."
• "The importance of a ship's visitor is a vital part of port welfare. The personal contact and the chance to offload your concerns to a listening Port Chaplain. The value of just being there and willing to chat and listen, to some crew members can be a life saver. This is the roll filled by Sam Cowan".
• "Dull is not a word associated with Sam. He has a broad smile and a cheery attitude to the job. When Sam laughs (which is often) you laugh with him. He climbs the gangway and the crew are waving him to come on board."

Other surprises for the gathered friends, family, supporters and other Port Chaplains and ship visitors included:

• A video greeting from the CEO of the MNWB, who awarded Sam the Lifetime Award earlier this year.
• A video greeting from the Christian Fellowship onboard the Spirit of Discovery.
• Lorraine Foreman shared about her recent cruise ship visiting with Sam.
• Messages from seafarers who Sam has had contact with over the years.

The evening was made complete with a special presentation to Sam, followed by Sam and Pauline cutting the Anniversary cake!