As The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) informs, seafarers and fishers can gain unlimited internet access during visits to UK ports for another year due to MiFi project’s extension.
In particular, the MiFi project provides 39 mobile internet hot-spots that can be taken on board ships to allow the crew to download or stream films/TV, contact their family and friends or simply catch up on what is happening in the world.
Free Wi-Fi is easily available in towns and cities, but few ports – and even fewer vessels – provide seafarers with free access to the internet, which is what makes this project so crucial for seafarers’ welfare.
… said Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of MNWB
According to MNWB, the mobile hot spots have unlimited data plans and can support up to 20 users at a time. The project, funded by leading maritime charity the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), Department for Transport and Trinity House, formed in 2019 and goes from strength to strength.
Staying connected to friends and family is vital for the mental wellbeing of seafarers and fishers while out at sea, so it’s fantastic to see UK Government funding supporting the extension of internet access for so many.
… said Maritime Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton
In total, 39 MiFi units are distributed to ships in UK ports via eight maritime welfare charities: Aberdeen Seafarers’ Centre, Stella Maris, The Fishermen’s Mission, Liverpool Seafarers’ Centre, Mission to Seafarers, Queen Victoria Seamen’s Rest, Sailors’ Society and Invergordon Seafarers’ Centre.
A profession that connects the world together – with the constant supply of fuel, food, medicine and so much more – can also be one marked by stretches of isolation, disconnected from friends, families and the world at large. This project works to fix that.
… said Captain Ian McNaught, Deputy Master of Trinity House
