Seafarers enjoy warm Zululand hospitality

The welfare of crews on board vessels entering the Port of Richards Bay continues to be the priority of the local Mission to Seafarers (MtS) branch, and January was another busy month for MtS Chaplain Mark Classen and his Ship Visitor wife, Eva.

“Our work in the harbour has been badly affected by truck congestion and the well-publicised poor state of roads within the port,” said Chaplain Mark.

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“There were also many delays to ships in January, owing to inclement weather yet again: nine days of pouring rain and wind this time around, but also extreme heat.

“A big positive was our partnership role in the South32 Seafarer Appreciation Project, as we were given an additional R20 000 by the company to purchase more items, as well as for sim cards and airtime.”

A total of 87 seafarers were blessed with gifts aboard MV Dejima, MV Valkyrie, MV Invincible and MV Stenia Colossus.

There were 29 MtS ship visits in January, with a total of 389 resources distributed, while assistance was given to crews regarding 19 justice and welfare matters.

MtS also visited three seafarers at Indaba Lodge after their luggage was lost by the airline, and were able to provide them with care packs containing clothing, toiletries, towels, and cellphone chargers and adaptors.

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