Remember the Hidden Heroes of the Sea

Seafarers and fishers live and work at the periphery of society, spending days or months at sea.

Their lives are hidden and yet they play a crucial role in bringing us so much of the food, fuel and goods we consume. From clothing to digital devices, to bananas and tea, almost 90% of goods are transported on cargo ships crewed by thousands of seafarers from all over the world.

Seafarers and fishers make enormous sacrifices just to bring us the basic things in life that we enjoy. Their work is tough, and the shifts can be gruelling – six hours on, six hours off, day after day. They have to eat, sleep, wash and speak with loved ones in a six-hour window before they’re back on shift.

Most shipping companies provide for crew welfare, but working at sea has its own unique challenges. Life on board can be lonely and isolating, shore leave is becoming less frequent, and sailing in dangerous shipping routes is part and parcel of the job.

Seafarers and fishers also miss their family back home. They miss out on important moments that many of us take for granted – births, graduations, celebrations, funerals…

Not forgotten

But their sacrifices and hardships don’t go unrecognised, and seafarers and fishers are not forgotten. Stella Maris’ chaplains and volunteer ship visitors are present in ports around the UK to provide friendship, care, practical and spiritual support.

In Ipswich, a major grain port located in East Anglia, Stella Maris regional port chaplain Julian Wong received a call from a seafarer on a ship requesting Holy Communion for the crew. Julian visited the ship, prayed with the crew and distributed Communion. He also gave out SIM cards so that the crew could keep in touch with their family back home.

On another occasion, Julian transported some crew members from another ship from Ipswich port to St Mary’s Church in Ipswich town for Mass. After Mass the men got a special blessing from parish priest Fr Jude Belnas. Julian then took them for lunch before taking them back to their ship.

The care shown by Julian towards these seafarers may have only been small gestures, but they meant a lot to them. It showed them that they are not forgotten and that their sacrifices are recognised. It made them feel visible.

As we celebrate the season of harvest, of abundance, please remember the hidden heroes of the sea and say a prayer for them. Your kindness and support mean a lot to them.

More information about Stella Maris’ work can be found at www.stellamaris.org.uk

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