Southampton-based charity Sailors’ Society held the official opening of a newly refurbished portacabin for seafarers, on 23 February. Funded by a grant from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), the cabin offers respite to seafarers unable to access city centre amenities due to limited shore leave and quick turnaround times.
In particular, the portacabin offers seafarers docking in the city’s port, which handles around 14 million tonnes of cargo annually, the opportunity to access support services and free Wi-Fi.
We all rely upon the world’s 1.6 million seafarers to transport 90% of the goods we use on a daily basis. Working at sea and being away from home for months at a time can be incredibly tough, so it is great to be able to offer seafarers a welcome change from the busy port environment and help them stay in touch with their family and friends. We’re incredibly grateful to the MNWB for enabling Sailors’ Society to provide this service,
…Sailors’ Society’s deputy CEO, Sandra Welch, said.
As the umbrella organisation for the maritime charity sector, the MNWB supports the provision of welfare services for all seafarers and their dependants visiting UK ports.
Sailors’ Society’s Southampton port chaplain Jonathan Martin and his ship visiting team are also there to provide support to seafarers such as Wi-Fi hotspots, transportation and a listening ear.
The charity’s services are further complemented by their Southampton Seafarers’ Centre at 108 East Street, which offers a variety of facilities, including Wi-Fi, a pool table, TV and a kitchen area for seafarers to use.
