International seafarer welfare charity, The Mission to Seafarers, is hosting its annual Sea Sunday celebrations online this Sunday, 11th July. The event will connect seafarers around the world’s oceans, reflecting on their hardships and celebrating their dedication over the past year.
From London to Lagos and Manila to Melbourne, the Mission’s teams across 200 ports around the world will gather together to celebrate the world’s essential workers who spend months away from their families, in often difficult conditions, to help keep our global economy afloat.
This year’s online service will take place via the Mission’s Youtube channel and is an opportunity to thank seafarers for their dedication as many have been forced to endure acute difficulties due to COVID-19, including lack of crew changes and restricted shore leave.
The Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General of The Mission will speak from St Michael Paternoster Royal church in London for the last time, reflecting on the years past and the future to come. The event will also feature Durham Cathedral Choir, as well as some very special guests, including regional chaplains and seafarers from across the globe, as well as key journalists reporting on justice and welfare cases that have happened over the past year which the Mission has supported.
It is widely recognised that life at sea is challenging and unpredictable, but the last year has magnified the challenges faced by seafarers. The current Secretary General, Revd Canon Andrew Wright, will speak to two of the previous Secretary Generals, The Revd Canon Bill Christanson and The Rt Revd Bill Down, to reflect on the changes over the years and the new welfare services being provided.
The Revd Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General, The Mission to Seafarers, commented:
“Sea Sunday is a significant opportunity to celebrate seafarers and recognise the debt we all owe to them. Never has that been more important. Seafarers always face significant challenges but those faced during the pandemic have been truly extraordinary. While some of us are beginning to see light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many crew continue to face great difficulties, with crew change problems remaining very serious, shore leave often restricted and with ongoing worries about family back home, not least in India.
“This Sea Sunday we will remember the heroic work of seafarers everywhere and the stresses on them and their families. We will also remember with thankfulness productive partnerships across the industry that have been integral in seeking to resolve problems. Finally, we will remember the work of maritime welfare teams across the world, including those of The Mission to Seafarers. Again in acutely difficult circumstances, so many have worked so hard and so creatively to sustain support to seafarers and their families at a time when it has been so greatly needed.
