Though Covid restrictions are lessening once again, some ships remain very cautious, including wearing masks, face shields or goggles, and special full overalls when on deck. Photo date: 9 March 2022.
IN THIS EDITION
- Crisis in Ukraine
- Christmas at Sea
- It's Complicated!
- Shore Leave Challenges
- Prayer Updates
- More Vaccinations
- Ship Visits
Crisis in Ukraine
The tragic situation in Ukraine is top of mind for most of us these days. Many seafarers are from Ukraine. At this time of devastating war, we are trying to serve them as best we can. We are providing them with SIM cards for their phones so they can better communicate with their families, if possible. We also give them opportunities to talk when they need that and pray with them as they allow us. Recently I was even able to arrange, with the help of a friend & colleague, for delivery of McDonalds meals to a crew who were craving that. Please pray for us as we minister in these situations, and as we navigate ministering to mixed Ukrainian-Russian crews at times. And pray for these seafarers.
Christmas at Sea
Another successful Christmas season has passed. We distributed about 1600 gifts to seafarers passing through the Port of Vancouver throughout the season. Seafarers always tell of their appreciation for the gifts, and it's a great opportunity for us to share of God's greatest Gift - the Gift that motivates all our giving. We even arranged for new Christmas trees for some ships that had broken trees but could not go ashore to purchase a new one.
It's Complicated!
In late Fall a ship arrived in Vancouver that had recently been sold to a new company, so it had a new name and all new crew. Except that two of the old crew agreed to stay on board for the voyage to Vancouver from Japan to help the new crew adjust to the ship. Then they were to disembark here and fly home. The problem was, as “extra” crew, they were deemed supernumeraries, and thus technically were not considered “seafarers.” When CBSA (Immigration authorities) learned of their situation, they would not allow these two crew members to depart from the ship, not even to sign off and return home. They weren’t allowed on Canadian soil without a visa. On one of my visits to the ship the captain and crew shared their dilemma. These two crew members had already been on board for one year, yet there was no clear way to get them back home. Their next port was Singapore, but they expected similar challenges there.
Obviously, this was a complicated and difficult case. I told them I would do what I could, and quickly contacted the ITF (International Transport workers Federation). They too were concerned but recognized that CBSA was acting according to proper regulations. They did, however, contact Transport Canada about the situation to see if anything could be done. TC began deliberations with CBSA about the case, and in the end immigration authorities agreed to make an exception in this case and allow the crew members to sign off the ship. What a relief! And what a privilege to be able to be part of this whole situation and see a good resolution in the end. What a joy for the crew members to be able to return home again – and in time for Christmas celebrations. We, as chaplains, aren’t authority figures in situations like this, but because we are regular visitors to vessels, we’re often the first ones to recognize challenging cases and raise the alarm bells so that seafarers can be treated fairly and humanely.
Shore Leave Challenges
A common sentiment I hear more and more these days is how tired we all are of the Covid restrictions that are still in place due to the pandemic. Imagine how this reality plays out in the lives of seafarers who are, for the most part, confined to their ships for months on end. Recently I chatted with a Ukrainian third mate (before war broke out). He soon began pouring out his frustration over not being able to go ashore at all during the months they spend on board.
You may have heard about the huge profits for shipping companies over the past year, and these profits have meant that many seafarers have received bonuses recently. But the 3rd mate told me bluntly, “I would prefer shore leave to any bonus!” He drew up a letter of complaint to the company which was signed by the entire crew, pleading for shore leave. Their request was denied.
We are trying to support crew members in these kinds of situations by doing some shopping for them. It’s also nice when we can bring on board some of the bread and other treats that are donated to this Ministry by our local Cobs Bread bakery – something that is always relished.
Thankfully not all ships and companies are restricting shore leave. Some seafarers are able to come to the seafarers’ centres, maybe even to head into the city. Recently 3 Indonesian Christian crew were able to accompany me for a church service at First CRC here in Vancouver (see photo below; the visit coincided with Lunar New Year). But those allowed are still the minority.
Prayer Updates
A reminder that we have now launched new and more frequent "Prayer Updates" emails for those who are keen to pray more specifically for this Ministry. These updates will provide more frequent and specific prayer requests, including occasional urgent prayer requests for a particular crew, situation, or even individual. Email us if you would like to sign up for these updates, or go directly to this link.
More Vaccinations
One of the important services we continue to provide is arranging for vaccinations for seafarers and then transporting them to the various clinics. It is very important for seafarers to get vaccinated, both for their protection and to enable them to travel to and from their ships and interact more freely. The B.C. health authorities and the local Chamber of Shipping have been great partners in making this happen. Most seafarers have by now been vaccinated, but we still encounter some who are not, while others may be seeking their booster shot. In the photo above I joined the group photo since I received my booster at the same time.
As of early March over 5,000 seafarers have been vaccinated in Canadian ports, and over 3,000 of those have been in Vancouver alone. In the U.S. a whopping 78.000 seafarers have been vaccinated! And vaccinations are happening in European ports as well. We chaplains from the seafarers centres transport many seafarers for vaccinations, and the health authorities have also been visiting many ships with mobile clinics to serve them on board.
Ship Visits
Ship visiting continues to be at the centre of what this Ministry is about, and in this season of Covid-19 we have been making more ship visits that ever in the past. I (Gary) alone made 574 ship visits in 2021. Together as partners in the port with the Mission to Seafarers and Stella Maris we all made 1,860 ship visits last year. We bring a small care package on board each vessel to welcome them to the Port of Vancouver. Some visits are brief; some are long. Our goal remains to support them in whatever way we can and to share God's love in Christ Jesus with them.
Thank You! for your continued support for and interest in this Ministry. Please do keep all seafarers and this Ministry in your prayers.