SCFS Port Chaplain, Harry Pottinger, shares how he came to volunteer with SCFS on Shetland.

After 16 years as a deep-sea marine engineer, I found myself with a 16-month-old child – who everyone else seemed to know better than I did – and a wife who was expecting again. I saw many men watch their family grow up with a row of Polaroid photos on their cabin desk. ‘Not for me!’ I thought.

I decided to ‘come ashore’ to work on tugs at Sullom Voe, Shetland Islands. Each trip at sea diminished from over 4 months down to 4 days – 96 hours! It was a big decision with a huge drop in salary, but I have no regrets.

I worked for about 30 years on the tugs, as 2nd Engineer, Chief Engineer, and one year as Superintendent/Chief Engineer. I organised and supervised two dry docks. Also, whilst there I responded to six “Mayday”s.

While at sea I had become a Christian in my cabin by myself. As I was in the wild boy category, this stunned me and stunned the crew! My life was transformed.

Subsequently, I've been chaplain to seafarers and port workers all through my maritime career of forty plus years!

My good friend, Mike Burleigh (SCFS Montrose) has been a big influence on me through the years, and we once enjoyed participating together in an evangelical outreach in Montrose Tesco Cafe. He encouraged me to join SCFS, “Gonna have to reduce your international ministry trips Harry, to get you to share/visit with international seafarers!”

Between my maritime background and Mike’s encouragement, it felt natural for me to join SCFS and to serve with like-minded people.